02. CMSC Watershed Manager Term
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: April 2, 2025
To: City Council
From: Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Re: Consider Nominations to Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Board of Managers
The term of office for Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Manager Kirsten Tuenge, Scandia, is
ending and she is not seeking reappointment. Ms. Tuenge’s term will expire on June 21, 2025.
Minnesota Statute 103D.311 provides that the County Board will select Watershed District Managers
from a list of nominees submitted by the municipalities that are wholly or partially within the Watershed
District. The list must contain at least three nominees for each manager's position to be filled. The
statute directs the County Board to appoint managers to fairly represent the various hydrologic areas
within the Watershed District by residence of the manager appointed. If no list is submitted, the County
Board will then proceed to appoint a manager through its open appointment process.
Nick Bancks resides in Scandia and is seeking appointment as a Watershed Manager. If the Council of
Scandia wishes to support his appointment, the attached draft letter will be sent to the Board of
Commissioners by the deadline of April 22, 2025.
County staff wrote that they encourage cities and municipalities to recommend a person (or multiple
people if that’s the case) that they feel would fit the position of Manager for Carnelian Marine St. Croix
Watershed District. Any names submitted by cities and townships will be compil ed into a combined list.
If that combined list contains more than 3 names per vacant position, the Commissioners shall appoint
from that list.
Requested Action:
If you wish Nick Bancks to be considered for appointment, an endorsement letter will be submitted to
the County by April 22, 2025. A motion to approve the attached letter of endorsement may be voted on.
Council has an opportunity to recommend any qualified candidates be appointed to fill the expiring
terms. This list of names will be provided to the County by the April 22, 2025 deadline.
Attachments:
• Notice of expiring term
• Draft letter of support for Nick Bancks
• Nick Bancks resume
• Letter of endorsement from Jim Seidl, personally sent to Washington County on March 5, 2025
Government Center • 14949 62nd Street North • P. O. Box 6 • Stillwater, MN 55082-0006
Telephone: 651-430-6001 • Fax: 651-430-6017 • TTY: 651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
Washington County is an equal opportunity organization and employer
Office of Administration
Kevin Corbid, County Administrator
Jan Lucke, Deputy Administrator
Jennifer Wagenius, Deputy Administrator
March 20, 2025
TO: Grant, Hugo, Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township, Stillwater Township
The term of office for Kristin Tuenge with the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District expires on
June 21, 2025.
Minnesota Statute 103D.311 requires that the County Board select watershed district managers from an
aggregate list of persons nominated by the townships and municipalities that are within the watershed
district. Lists from townships and municipalities must be submitted to the county board at least 60 days prior
to the expiration of the term of office of a manager. The County Board shall make its appointment at least 30
days prior to the term expiration.
The county will aggregate the names of nominees from all the lists submitted by the townships and
municipalities for the board’s consideration. If the aggregate list of nominees contains at least three names,
the county must appoint a manager from the list of township and municipality nominees. In making the
appointment, the county must also consider the statutory requirement that managers be appointed to fairly
represent the hydrological areas of the district.
If the aggregate list contains less than three nominee names, or if appointing a nominee from the submitted
lists will not allow for fair representation of the various hydrological areas of the district, the county board
may appoint any individual who resides within the watershed district and is otherwise eligible to serve.
If you wish to submit a list of nominees for consideration or wish the incumbent to be considered for
reappointment, your list should be sent to me prior to April 22, 2025.
The county's advisory board application form is attached. Please duplicate it as necessary.
Thank you for your assistance in filling this important watershed position.
Sincerely,
Megan Carlson
Administrative Assistant
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Cc: County Board of Commissioners
Kevin Corbid, County Administrator
Stephanie Souter, Public Health Program Supervisor, Public Health & Environment
Mike Isensee, Watershed Administrator
14727 209 th St. N., Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.cityofscandia.com
April 3, 2025
Holly Hess, Administrative Assistant
Office of Administration
Washington County
14949 62nd Street North, PO Box 6
Stillwater, MN 55082-0006
Dear Ms. Hess:
The City of Scandia received your request for input on the upcoming appointment
to the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Board of Managers.
At their April 2nd meeting, the Scandia City Council voted to endorse Nick Bancks
of Scandia to fill an appointment to an open term on the Board of Managers. Mr.
Bancks has an extensive career in natural resource management and would be a
valuable asset to furthering the Watershed’s goal of protecting this vital resource.
Please contact me at 651 433-2274 or by e-mail at b.eklund@ci.scandia.mn.us if
there are any questions.
Sincerely,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk
cc: Fran Miron, Washington County Commissioner
Mike Isensee, Administrator, Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed
District
NICHOLAS A. BANCKS
nbancks@gmail.com | (651) 621-0789 | www.linkedin.com/in/nbancks
14777 197th St N, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
PROFILE
Experienced, dedicated and passionate conservation leader with excellent
attention to detail, who desires to guide a collaborative and innovative
organization to improve the quality of our natural environment and lives.
EXPERIENCE
July 2022 -
Present
Program Manager, The Trust for Public Land
Responsible for strategic development and management of several
conservation subprograms of TPL. Engaged and coordinated with
stakeholders to develop underpinning strategies necessary to achieve
protection, restoration, and engagement goals for respective program
areas and projects. Managed land acquisition projects, including legal
review, negotiations, budgets and record keeping, and coordination with
partners, contractors, and private landowners/Sellers. Created and
developed innovative nature-based recreation program focused on
supporting and fostering equitable outdoor spaces. Advanced outreach
and publicity, communicating TPL’s work both externally and internally
with staff and board, and exploration of new opportunities for TPL.
Jan. 2022 – July
2022
Conservation Program Director, Kanati Land Management LLC
Responsible for development and management of Kanati’s conservation
program, including administration and coordination of all contract work
with Minnesota Land Trust, Pheasants Forever, Saint John’s Abbey
Arboretum, and The Nature Conservancy. Responsible for habitat
management plan design and land management consultation with private
landowners. Completed land management activities, including forest stand
improvement, native prairie reconstruction and seeding, and invasive
species removal.
June 2021-Dec.
2021
Senior Land Management Coordinator, Comfort Lake-Forest Lake
Watershed District
Provided program management and technical assistance in water resource
protection related to implementation of the goals, policies, programs, and
rules identified in the Watershed Management Plan of the District. Acted
in key leadership role, including land acquisition program and policy
development, implementation of program evaluation and process
improvement, coordination with partners and overseeing the land
acquisition and management of easements and fee simple properties;
ensuring data analysis and management, oversight of District permitting
and regulatory activities that impacted the watershed; and
implementation of land development and management activities.
Page 2
Jan. 2021-May
2021
Associate Director of Land Protection, Minnesota Land Trust
Provided critical programmatic leadership and management to the
Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) Land Protection program, with an emphasis in
conservation program planning and strategy development, and field-based
learning. Provided organizational leadership and assistance to Program
Managers in developing program plans in MLT's Conservation Program
Areas. Engaged and coordinated with stakeholders to develop
underpinning strategies necessary to achieve protection, restoration, and
engagement goals for each program area. Provided staff with ongoing
training and mentoring necessary to ensure and improve delivery of
efficient and effective land protection practices. Led MLT’s exploration and
development of its Agriculture Program across Minnesota. Provided
strategic input and assistance to the Director of Land Protection in
implementing the Land Protection Program’s annual goals.
Sept. 2014-Dec.
2020
Program Manager, Minnesota Land Trust
Responsible for strategic development and management of conservation
programs of MLT. Managed land acquisition projects, including legal
review, easement negotiations, budgets and record keeping, and
coordination with partners, contractors, and private landowners. Created
habitat management plans and baseline documentation reports for
acquisitions, including native plant identification and habitat condition
assessment. Completed 50 projects, including four working lands
conservation easements, permanently protecting and enhancing 5,500
acres of private lands across Minnesota. Secured and directed grant
funding for implementation and ensured the successful completion of all
grants to MLT funding conservation action in its program areas.
Orchestrated with partners the effective implementation of program
strategic plans. Advanced outreach and publicity, communicating MLT’s
work both externally and internally with staff and board, and exploration
of new opportunities for MLT.
Sept. 2013-Aug.
2014
Watershed Grant & Projects Coordinator, Sibley County
Provided technical support for implementation of nonpoint source
management program. Managed CWP, 319, and TMDL watershed grant
projects by developing work plans, progress reports and tracking
expenditures. Represented High Island Creek and Rush River watersheds in
local county water planning coordination and development. Promoted
BMPs identified in 319 TMDL work plan and provided education and
outreach to LGUs, citizen groups, and students through various mediums,
events and meetings. Secured grant funding for implementation of water
monitoring projects.
Page 3
May 2013-Aug.
2013
Watershed Technician Intern, Heron Lake Watershed District
Monitored water quality and collected samples at three stream and six
lake sites on a weekly basis. Contacted landowners and conducted best
management practices site inspections and documentation for entire
watershed district as part of Clean Water Partnership program. Assisted
Natural Resources Conservation Service staff with CRP Eligibility Review
Compliance Inspections. Designed five rain garden/shoreline installations
and outreach materials as part of an EPA 319 Phosphorous Reduction
Initiative Grant Project. Conducted waterfowl and aquatic vegetation field
surveys.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Master of Science in Natural Resources Science and Management
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
Master of Arts in Library and Information Science
Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts with Major in Biology and Minor in Philosophy
MN DNR Woodland Stewardship Plan Writer Certification
Watershed Specialist Certification
Certified Tree Inspector
Wildland Firefighter Certification
Page 4
KEY SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS · Critical thinking · Leadership · Collaborative · Adaptive · Effective communicator
· Proficient in native plant
identification and
habitat condition
assessment. · Proficiency using GIS
software both in
modeling and project-
based settings to map
and interpret data. · Proficient in Microsoft
Office Suite applications
(including Access, Excel,
Word & Publisher). · Proficient in usage of
EQuIS water quality
database and FLUX
software for
nutrient/pollutant load
analysis.
From: jim.seidl@legalresearch.com <jim.seidl@legalresearch.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 10:10 AM
To: Holly.Hess@co.washington.mn.us
Cc: nick.bancks@tpl.org; Karla.Bigham@washingtoncountymn.gov;
michelle.clasen@washingtoncountymn.gov; kevin.corbid@washingtoncountymn.gov;
bethany.cox@washingtoncountymn.gov; b.eklund@ci.scandia.mn.us.; 'Mike Isensee'
<mike.isensee@cmscwd.org>; stan.karwoski@washingtoncountymn.gov;
fran.miron@washingtoncountymn.gov
Subject: Nick Bancks: Letter of Recommendation - March 5, 2025
Washington County Board of Commissioners
c/o Holly Hess, Administrative Assistant
Washington County
14949 62nd Street North, PO Box 6
Stillwater, MN 55082-0006
Dear Holly, and Board of Commissioners:
I am writing to express my strong support and recommendation for the appointment of Nick Bancks as a
Watershed District Board Manager for the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District.
As further explained in the attached Letter of Recommendation (Nick Bancks Letter of Recommendation -
3-5-25), I have enormous respect for Nick’s work at the Trust for Public Land
https://www.tpl.org/state/minnesota, and longstanding appreciation for Nick’s impressive career in
conservation and natural resource management (Nick Bancks Resume - 3-5-25.)
Thanks for considering my recommendation, including the many reasons why Nick will be a superb
choice for serving on the Board of Managers.
My ongoing gratitude for all you do on a daily basis to make our community a better, more beautiful, and
more conservation-centric place. Your dedication to seeing the natural resources of our Watershed
protected, preserved, and conserved, now and for future generations, is highly valued and immensely
appreciated.
PS, for Commissioners who do not know me, here’s my bio sketch, including a few passions that keep me
young in my 71st year:
• Four-decade home and property owner on Square Lake, near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota.
• Former May Township Planning Commissioner, and former May Township Supervisor.
• Member of Washington County’s Square Lake Park 10-Year Master Plan Technical Advisory
Committee: https://www.co.washington.mn.us/3235/Square-Lake-Park-Master-Plan.
• Developer of Square Lake Association’s educational website, designed to address conservation
and natural resource preservation issues in our community and increase lake -user awareness, for
which I write the Square Roots Blog: https://www.squarelake.org/.
• Co-Founder of Square Lake Conservancy, a community-based advocacy group, whose
conservation mission is to Protect & Preserve Wilder Forest, a pristine, 600-acre natural
resource, recognized as one of the largest and most ecologically significant remaining
unprotected natural areas in the Twin Cities metropolitan area; and Square Lake, a unique 203-
acre, spring-fed, jewel of crystal blue water adjacent to Wilder Forest in May Township : SLC
Protecting Community, Environment, and Clean Water Presentation (10/28/23)
• Current Square Lake Association (SLA) Board President, former Board Vice President, and past
President.
• Volunteer to many non-profits, including Board of Advisor Chair to White Hearts Center, a Down
syndrome clinic for children in Idlib, Syria: www.whiteheartscenter.com - for which I’ve helped
raise over $300,000 in online and offline donations since 2021; recently completed building an
educational website (link above); formed supportive strategic bridges with INARA, SAMS and
SHARE Foundations, CNN media, and Oregon Health and Science University; and hope to
publish the first Down Syndrome Therapy Practice Tool book in Arabic and English.
Respectfully, with hope, gratitude, and best wishes.
Jim Seidl
President
Legal Research Center
LegalResearch.com
Jim.Seidl@LegalResearch.com
Home: 651.439.7116
Cell: 612.325.8995
1
March 5, 2025
Washington County Board of Commissioners
c/o Holly Hess, Administrative Assistant
Washington County
14949 62nd Street North, PO Box 6
Stillwater, MN 55082-0006
Dear Washington County Commissioners:
I am honored to recommend Nick Bancks for appointment to the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed
District, as Watershed District Board Manager.
Thanks to the stellar leadership of Mike Isensee and the Board of Managers, the Carnelian-Marine-St.
Croix Watershed District (Watershed District) plays a crucial role in managing over 81 square miles of
land, 31 lakes, three trout streams, and significant shoreline along the St. Croix River. By using a
combination of regulatory measures, structural practices, incentive programs, and education, the
Watershed District ensures that natural habitats, recreational waters, and personal properties are
safeguarded from degradation. Such comprehensive management is essential to meet the statutory goals
of protecting surface and groundwater resources, minimizing flooding, promoting groundwater recharge,
and enhancing fish and wildlife habitats.
The Watershed District is vital to the health, sustainability, and resilience of our local environment and
communities. Throughout his impressive career, Nick Bancks has demonstrated the dedication, expertise,
empathy, professionalism, integrity, work ethic, and collaborative spirit necessary to measurably advance
the Watershed District’s mission to protect, preserve, and continuously improve our shared water,
woodland, and wildlife resources.
As exemplified by Washington County’s esteemed Commissioners, effective management requires strong
and dedicated leadership. Mr. Bancks' commitment to environmental stewardship, his capacity for
strategic decision-making, and ability to engage meaningfully and proactively with local communities
makes him an invaluable asset to the Watershed District. His leadership will undoubtedly help to maintain
- and multiply - collaboration between municipalities, strengthen public engagement, and support
initiatives that promote the long-term health of our water and land resources.
Among his many notable professional strengths and sensibilities, Nick has demonstrated unwavering
empathy with, and commitment to:
1) AIS Protection. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) protection of Watershed District waters – in
strategic collaboration with organizations like Washington Conservation District, Minnesota Lakes
& Rivers Advocates, and Square Lake Association.
2) Rule of Law. Proactive monitoring and enforcement of state, township, and district, watershed
rules, regulations, and guiding principles.
3) Conservation Planning and Education. Conservation-centric community collaboration, strategic
planning, education, and thought-leadership – relating to water quality monitoring, natural
resource protection, water access improvements, recreational water resource management, and
infrastructure improvements, as exemplified in the following:
a) https://www.co.washington.mn.us/3235/Square- Lake-Park-Master-Plan.
b) Square Lake Conservancy Published Case Study (11/1/23).
I therefore wholeheartedly support Nick Bancks’ candidacy for the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed
District Board Manager position – and encourage the Board to foster the leadership principles advocated
2
and advanced by Nick that uphold the Watershed District’s strategic mission, statutory objectives, and
guiding principles.
For these reasons - and more - I am thrilled to recommend Nick Bancks as our next, great, Carnelian-
Marine-St Croix Watershed Board Manager, and thank you in advance for supporting Nick with your vote.
Finally, on behalf of my many conservation friends and advocates in May Township and Washington
County, my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing commitment to water resource management,
conservation, and natural resource preservation in our Square Lake watershed and St. Croix River Valley
community. You and Nick are making our world a better, more beautiful place, and for that I’m grateful,
encouraged, and inspired.
Respectfully,
cc: Mike Isensee, Administrator, Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District
cc: Brenda Eklund, City Clerk, City of Scandia
cc: Kevin Corbid, Washington County Administrator
cc: Fran Miron, Washington County District 1 Commissioner
cc: Stan Karwoski, Washington County District 2 Commissioner
cc: Bethany Cox, Washington County District 3 Commissioner
cc: Karla Bigham, Washington County District 4 Commissioner
cc: Michelle Clasen, Washington County District 5 Commissioner
cc: Nick Bancks, Project Manager, Trust for Public Land
My recommendation above is personal and does not officially or unofficially represent any organization for which I serve as a
volunteer, Board Member, or Officer.
Jim Seidl
President
Legal Research Center
LegalResearch.com
Jim.Seidl@LegalResearch.com
Home: 651.439.7116
Cell: 612.325.8995
Former May Township Planning Commissioner, and former May Township Supervisor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimseidl/