State Spring Inventory for Resource Management and Protection
Natural springs occur throughout Minnesota and provide critical services for the state, such as creating trout streams and cool water fisheries, sustaining base flows in streams, creating unique ecological habitats, and maintaining the integrity of aquatic ecosystems against invasive species. In order to protect springs and the groundwater-dependent resources that depend on them, though, it is important to understand spring locations and status – information that is currently lacking in many areas of the state. The Department of Natural Resources is using this appropriation to establish a foundation and plan to systematically inventory, assess, and monitor spring resources throughout the state.
$200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to develop necessary protocols, processes, and definitions of springs along with limited field testing of inventory procedures in priority areas to enable a systematic inventory of springs statewide needed to maintain spring flows and protect groundwater-dependent resources. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.