Notice is hereby given that the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) will hold a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025. This public hearing is to receive comments on the draft VRWJPO 2026 Budget and Watershed Management Tax District levy. It will take place at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center Conference Room A, 4100 220^th Street West, Farmington, MN 55024. Information to access the hearing online will be published at www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/news-events/calendar. Advance notice of intent to attend in person is appreciated, but not required, to Travis Thiel at travis.thiel@co.dakota.mn.us or (952) 891-7546.

Agencies, groups, and individuals attending the public hearing will have the opportunity to provide written or oral comments. Prior to the public hearing, written comments may be addressed to the VRWJPO, 4100 220th Street West, Suite 103, Farmington, MN 55024, or emailed to Travis Thiel.

The draft VRWJPO 2026 Budget and Watershed Management Tax District levy can be viewed online at www.vermillionriverwatershed.org/news. Paper copies of the draft VRWJPO 2026 Budget and Watershed Management Tax District levy, as well as requests for accommodations at the public hearing, can be obtained by contacting Brita Moore-Kutz at brita.moore-kutz@co.dakota.mn.us or 952-891-7967.

Virtual meeting access:

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 250 720 001 229

Passcode: VY65Jw35

Dial in by phone

+1 651-273-3070,,980027819# United States, Hastings

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 980 027 819#

General Description

International Coastal Cleanup Day began more than 30 years ago, when communities rallied together with the common goal of collecting and documenting the trash littering their coastline. Volunteers from states and territories throughout the U.S. and more than 100 countries come together each year and participate in an event near them.

Although not near an ocean, Minnesota has over 90,000 miles of shoreline; more than California, Florida and Hawaii combined. We are also home to the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River which flows south all the way into the Gulf of Mexico. The Minnesota River is another famous river in our state that is an important tributary that flows into the Mississippi.

Sadly, garbage and pollution can use our local river systems to travel through our state southward. If we can stop trash here at home, we can help prevent it from reaching the world's oceans, helping our partners who will be working to clean up beaches thousands of miles away.

Location and Site Details

Rambling River Park

17 Elm Street

Farmington, MN 55024

(Map and driving directions)

Date/Time

September 20

9 a.m. – Noon

A brat lunch will be served to volunteers afterwards provided by Twin Cities Trout Unlimited.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Help pick up trash along the banks of our local riverways.
• All ages welcome, there will be flat and paved terrain available to walk.
• Supplies including trash bags, gloves, and hand sanitizer will be provided.
• If you would like to volunteer as a group (families not included), please contact Garrett Zaffke before registering.

Minimum Time Commitment

3 hours

Activity Level  

Active – Involves physical exertion for an extended period of time; can involve rough, uneven or steep terrain. Not recommended for volunteers with physical limitations.

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.

Virtual meeting access will be posted here when available.