County resources
The 
Healthy Rural Living Newsletter is a practical guide for Dakota County residents — especially those in rural areas. It offers tips, resources and local programs to support recycling, waste reduction, water quality and land stewardship. It provides easy-to-follow guidance on everyday practices and connects readers to services that help protect natural resources and promote healthy, sustainable living.
Soil and Water Conservation District
Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) works with residents, landowners, communities and local governments to protect and improve Dakota County's land and water resources. The SWCD provides technical expertise, financial assistance and education to support conservation practices that enhance water quality, promote soil health, reduce erosion and restore natural areas. Through partnerships with county, state and federal agencies, the SWCD helps implement projects and programs that sustain clean water and healthy ecosystems across the county.
Model Mining Ordinance
TheModel Mining Ordinance: is an example for optional use by Dakota County cities and townships. It helps ensure sufficient protective measures for groundwater and surface water resources. The model ordinance should be tailored based on local environmental conditions and local government preferences. This model ordinance is not an adopted ordinance by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners or the Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors.
Funding for development of the Model Mining Ordinance is provided through the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment, distributed by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Rural Water Feasibility Study
Dakota County received a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant to complete aRural Water Feasibility Study published in March 2024. The study evaluates the feasibility and cost to provide municipal water or rural water services to private drinking water wells in Dakota County. It with focuses on areas exceeding manganese or nitrate concentrations. Bolton & Menk, Inc. assisted with the study. This report summarizes the study's findings to support local government units with planning decisions.
Watershed Management Organizations
Watershed management organizations work to solve and prevent surface water-related problems. Watersheds, the area of land that drains water to one point, form the boundaries for these organizations. Typically named for the primary waterbody within the watershed, watershed management organizations conduct activities according to a watershed management plan.
Watershed management organizations in Dakota County include:
Black Dog Watershed Management Organization
Eagan – Inver Grove Heights Watershed Management Organization
Lower Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
Lower Minnesota Watershed District
North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization
State resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Minnesota Department of Health
Federal resources
Army Corp of Engineers
US Environmental Protection Agency