From its source in Wisconsin to the northern boundary of Stillwater, Minnesota, the National Park Service has regulatory authority along the mainstem of the St. Croix. From Stillwater to the mouth, near Prescott, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Department of Resources share joint powers along the mainstem. In addition, there are many counties, cities, and townships along the mainstem and within the watershed which, along with other Wisconsin and Minnesota state agencies, have varying levels of management and regulatory authority. In addition, new or expanded discharges to waters that flow into outstanding resource value waters are to be controlled so as to assure no deterioration in the quality of the downstream outstanding resource value water. This activity focuses on the complexity of the decision making process with multi-regulatory authorities and the opportunities and challenges that arise as a consequence.
Rivers commonly are borders between states and between countries.
An understanding of this regulatory overlap lays a foundation for the importance of including all stakeholders in the decision making process and the challenges of regulating water resources. To gain an understanding of the complexity and sometimes conflicting interests of stakeholders. The St. Croix is a multi-regulated river. Which areas are regulated by the federal government b. Discuss and record several benefits and challenges that arise from this division of power with regard to water quality.