Richfield Council Seeks Input on Three Major Environmental Initiatives
The Richfield City Council held a work session on July 14 to discuss groundwater protection, social media policy, and a new natural resources plan for the city's parks. No formal votes were taken, but staff requested council feedback on each topic before moving forward.
City staff updated the council on the West Metro Multi-Community Wellhead Protection Plan, a collaborative effort involving Richfield, Bloomington, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Saint Louis Park, and state agencies. Part 1 of the plan has been adopted, and Part 2 is in development, with a public hearing expected in late fall 2026. Water Resources Engineer Mattias Oddsson emphasized that "groundwater in the Twin Cities can be used sustainably into the future – with thoughtful, proactive management." The plan aims to replace individual city wellhead protection plans with a joint drinking water supply management area.
The council also discussed whether to remove comment sections from the city's social media platforms, a proposal initiated by Mayor Mary Supple following contentious comments on a post about an officer-involved shooting. Communications Manager Kate Aitchison explained that allowing comments creates a "limited public forum" subject to First Amendment protections, making moderation highly restricted. She noted that other Minnesota cities including Bloomington, Rochester, and Golden Valley have removed comments, but warned that any such change must be applied consistently across an entire platform. Despite the challenges, staff recommended keeping comments enabled, citing the importance of two-way communication and community engagement. The recommendation also noted that removing comments would increase manual workload and eliminate automation tools for posts and advertisements.
Finally, Recreation Director Karl Huemiller introduced Richfield's first Natural Resources Management Plan, covering more than 300 acres across Richfield Lake Park, Taft Park, Veterans Park, and Wood Lake Nature Center. The plan, being developed with environmental nonprofit Great River Greening, will establish goals and a long-term framework for balancing ecological health, recreation, and community needs. Huemiller explained that having a formal plan is essential for accessing grant funding and technical assistance that the city currently cannot obtain. Staff requested council feedback on site-specific goals for each park, with a complete draft expected for public review later.
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Votes (3)
Multi-Community Wellhead Protection Plan and Source Water Sustainability Updates
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
Staff provided an update on the current status of the West Metro Multi-Community Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP), highlighting that Part 1 has been adopted and Part 2 is in development. The discussion also covered groundwater quantity trends in the Metro Area and emphasized the importance of sustainable groundwater withdrawals for the City's drinking water supply. Richfield's partnership in this pilot plan since 2024 aims to delineate a joint drinking water supply management area, replacing the City's individual WHPPs. The plan's development is guided by the state Wellhead Protection Rule (MNR 4720).
Social Media Comments Discussion
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The item addressed Mayor Mary Supple's request to evaluate removing comment sections from city social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn) following contentious comments on a post related to an officer-involved shooting. Staff outlined that any such change must be consistently applied across a platform and noted other Minnesota cities (Bloomington, Rochester, Golden Valley) that have removed comments. Key discussion points included legal implications, as social media comments create a limited public forum subject to First Amendment rights, making moderation highly restricted. Financial impacts, such as increased manual workload and loss of tools like Facebook Ads/Events, were also presented. Staff ultimately recommended against removing comments, emphasizing the benefits of two-way communication and community engagement.
Natural Resources Management Plan
Dissent: None
Moved by N/A · Seconded by N/A
The Recreation Director presented the need for and progress on Richfield's first Natural Resources Management Plan (NRMP), which will cover over 300 acres in Richfield Lake Park, Taft Park, Veterans Park, and Wood Lake Nature Center. The lack of such a plan has previously hindered the City's ability to secure grant funding and engage in partnerships for ecological stewardship. Great River Greening has been contracted to develop the NRMP, which will establish goals, priorities, and a long-term framework for managing natural areas, balancing ecological health, recreation, and community expectations. The council's feedback on site-specific goals was requested, with cost estimates to be refined later and a complete draft to be released for public review.
Notable Quotes (12)
Staff will present an update on the status of the West Metro Multi-Community Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) and on groundwater quantity trends in the Metro Area.
Since 2024, Richfield has partnered with Bloomington, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Saint Louis Park, the Metropolitan Council, and the Minnesota Department of Health on a pilot Multi-Community WHPP.
The development and contents of wellhead protection plans are guided by the state Wellhead Protection Rule (MNR 4720).
Groundwater in the Twin Cities can be used sustainably into the future – with thoughtful, proactive management.
On May 12, 2026, Mayor Mary Supple asked staff and council to consider a policy change which would eliminate the comment sections from the city’s Facebook channel and other social media platforms.
If the council were to decide to remove the ability to comment from a platform, it must be consistently applied across that platform.
When the city publishes a social media post and allows comments, the post becomes a limited public forum subject to various free speech and related considerations.
Given the best practice recommendations from local and national sources, the need for ongoing city engagement tools and input from staff, we recommend allowing comments on posts for all platforms.
Richfield has more than 300 acres of natural areas in parks, the majority of which are in four parks: Richfield Lake Park, Taft Park, Veterans Park, and Wood Lake Nature Center.
However, access to many of these programs requires the City to have a formal Natural Resources Management Plan.
The purpose of the Natural Resources Management Plan is to establish clear goals, priorities, and a long-term framework for managing the City’s natural areas in a way that balances ecological health, recreation, and community expectations.
Staff is looking for feedback related to the goals for each site in the Natural Resources Management Plan.
Ordinances & Resolutions (17)
A collaborative plan to delineate a joint drinking water supply management area and protect groundwater sources from contamination.
Richfield's internal plan for managing its drinking water supply, considered alongside the WHPP.
State rule guiding the development and contents of wellhead protection plans.
Richfield's previous individual Wellhead Protection Plan, to be replaced by the Multi-Community WHPP.
The first part of the pilot Multi-Community Wellhead Protection Plan, approved in spring 2025.
A reference document providing data on water use and groundwater trends in Minnesota.
A reference document on groundwater policy.
A scientific investigations report providing data on groundwater levels.
A reference document for water supply planning in the Twin Cities.
The city's social media policy last substantially revised in November 2024.
The most recent version of the city's social media policy, superseding the November 2024 version.
A presentation providing staff findings and recommendations regarding social media comments.
Richfield's first formal plan for managing its natural areas across major parks.
A presentation for the council work session on the Natural Resources Management Plan.
A mapping system used to categorize land cover composition for natural resource assessment.
A classification system defining native plant community types based on vegetation surveys.
A component of the Natural Resources Management Plan.
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Other Topics from This Document
Social Media Comments Policy Review
Natural Resources Management Plan Development
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