[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4141-4142]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments 
of the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District. I am pleased 
that the Environmental Protection Agency selected the Dakota County 
Soil and Water Conservation District as one of their Clean Water 
Partners for the 21st Century this year. This is a great honor and I am 
proud to

[[Page 4142]]

support Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District's 
achievements.
  The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District helps local 
landowners protect Minnesota's natural resources. Their assistance has 
been critical in controlling erosion near our lakes and rivers. They 
have also played a valuable role in helping integrate ecological and 
environmental considerations into all phases of urban planning, design 
and construction. Their assistance helps reduce contaminated runoff and 
introduces the use of wetlands and other natural processes to protect 
our water resources.
  The EPA's Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century program 
recognizes these extraordinary efforts. This award is presented to 
local governments that go beyond the requirements of the Clean Water 
Act. It goes to those willing to mobilize local resources in order to 
protect and improve the overall health of our watersheds. The Dakota 
County Soil and Water Conservation District clearly fits this 
description.
  Mr. Speaker, protecting and improving the nation's watersheds is 
important to me and my district. I share in the excitement of this 
award and am proud of the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation 
District's achievement.

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