South Branch Wild RIce Sediment Reduction Project - Phase II
Phase II of the South Branch Wild Rice Sediment Reduction Project will continue the targeted placement of structural and ecological best management practices addressing excessive erosion and subsequent sediment and nutrient loading to the South Branch of the Wild Rice River in Becker County.
With 75 targeted site-appropriate combinations of structural and ecological practices including Grade Stabilizations, Water and Sediment Control Basins, Grassed Waterways, Filter Strips, Wetland Restorations and Critical Area Plantings, this project will provide the necessary technical and financial assistance for expanding and accelerating targeted sediment reduction efforts to meet local and regional water quality goals. These efforts are expected to accomplish a 32% reduction in total suspended solids (TSS) addressing the downstream reduction goals established within the Lower Wild Rice River TMDL.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(b) $16,000,000 the first year and $16,000,000 the second year are for grants to local government units to protect and restore surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system projects and stream bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects. The projects must use practices demonstrated to be effective, be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans, watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local water management plans or their equivalents. A portion of this money may be used to seek administrative efficiencies through shared resources by multiple local governmental units. Up to 20 percent of this appropriation is available for land-treatment projects and practices that benefit drinking water.
This project continues BMP implementation in the South Branch of the Wild Rice River, reducing annual sediment loading by 2,482 Tons. Coupled with reductions from Phase I, this will accomplish 32% of the TMDL goal for the Wild Rice River downstream.
Numerous indicators were given for final results that did not match the proposed indicators from the application, likely due to staff turnover and a new reporting system. From the analyzed results it appears the final outcomes achieved approximately 85% of the proposed phosphorus, and 84% of the proposed sediment reductions. It is determined the grantee achieved most of the proposed measurable outcomes.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS