VLAWMO was formed in 1983 to protect the Vadnais Lake watershed area in northern Ramsey County and a small portion of Anoka County, Minnesota. VLAWMO covers approximately 24 square miles in the northeast metropolitan area. The watershed is a Joint Powers organization that encompasses the City of North Oaks, and portions of the Cities of White Bear Lake, Gem Lake, Vadnais Heights, Lino Lakes, and White Bear Township.
For general questions or inquiries:
email: office@vlawmo.org phone: (651) 204-6070
See our staff directory below to find a contact that best fits your needs.
VLAWMO’s mission is to protect and enhance the water resources within the watershed. Activities we work on include water quality monitoring, education and outreach projects, wetland protection, and water quality enhancement projects.
A watershed is all the land area that drains to a specific water resource, such as a lake or stream. Watersheds range in size from a few square miles to an entire continent. As rainwater and melting snow run downhill, they carry sediment and other materials into streams, lakes, and groundwater.
A watershed management organization (WMO) is charged with protecting water resources within its boundaries. All land within the metropolitan area must be within an organized watershed (State Statutes Chapters 103B & 103D). Watershed Districts are governed by County Commissioners while Water Management Organizations are governed on the municipal level.
Common Water Resources Terms and Definitions Network of Water Protection Agencies and Partners What does VLAWMO do? [Infographic]The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization is funded by a stormwater utility fee. Property owners within the watershed are charged a fee to manage the stormwater that runs off their property. This public utility fee is determined by land use (eg residential, commercial etc), and is included on County property tax statements.
Our offices are located at:
800 East County Rd E.
Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Hours are M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
Phone: (651) 204-6070
Phil Belfiori, Administrator
Operations - Budget - Work Plan
email: phil.belfiori@vlawmo.org
direct: 651-204-6073
Brian Corcoran, Water Resources Manager
Project Management - Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) - Water Quality Monitoring - Financials
email: brian.corcoran@vlawmo.org
direct: 651-204-6075
Dawn Tanner, PhD, Program Development Coordinator
Grant Writing - Project Development and Management - Planning
email: dawn.tanner@vlawmo.org
direct: 651-204-6071
Lauren Sampedro, Watershed Technician & Program Coordinator
VLAWMO Grant Programs - GIS - Water Quality Monitoring
email: lauren.sampedro@vlawmo.org
direct: (651) 204-6071
Angela Hugunin, Communication & Outreach Coordinator
Communication & Outreach Programs - Media Relations - Website
email: angela.hugunin@vlawmo.org
For general watershed questions:
Email: office@vlawmo.org
Phone: 651-204-6070
The VLAWMO Board of Directors consists of one elected official from each of the six cities within the watershed.
Jim Lindner - Gem Lake City Council Member
Chair of VLAWMO Board of Directors
email: jim.lindner@gemlakemn.org
Andrea West - White Bear Lake City Council Member
email: ward3@whitebearlake.org
Katherine Doll Kanne - Vadnais Heights City Council Member
Treasurer/Secretary of VLAWMO Board of Directors
email: Katherine.DollKanne@cityvadnaisheights.com
Grover Sayre - North Oaks City Council Member
email: GSayre@northoaksmn.gov
Rob Rafferty - Lino Lakes Mayor
email: RRafferty@linolakes.us
Ed Prudhon - White Bear Township Board Member
email: ed.prudhon@whitebeartownship.org
View board meeting agendas and minutes
The VLAWMO board meets on the 4th Wednesday every other month at 7pm
VLAWMO has a Technical Commission (TEC) with a citizen representative from each city.
The technical commission meets to review and consider watershed business as well as to make recommendations to the Board for wider scope decisions.
Gloria Tessier - Gem Lake
Nick Ousky - Vadnais Heights
Susan Miller - North Oaks
Terry Huntrods - White Bear Lake
Andy Nelson - Lino Lakes
Jami Philip - White Bear Township
View TEC meeting agendas and minutes
The VLAWMO technical commission meets on the 2nd Friday of every month at 7:30am
The VLAWMO Board of Directors meet on the 4th Wednesday of every other month. The Technical Commission meets on the 2nd Friday of each month. All meetings are held at Vadnais Heights City Hall