Reducing nitrates in drinking water through new irrigation technologies
Large areas in Otter Tail and Wadena County are at risk of nitrogen contamination due to sandy soils and nitrogen fertilizer use. Irrigation scheduling and fertilizer management need modern updates through variable rate technology and soil moisture sensors to better utilize and inform irrigators of when to fertilize. East Otter Tail SWCD and Wadena SWCD will use cost share to help establish precision management for variable rate irrigation in one field, soil water sensors in 20 fields, and 10 nutrient management plans for irrigation management on high and medium priority parcels. The SWCDs will develop an assessment report detailing the local results for variable rate irrigation and soil moisture sensors that will provide results to local landowners and for future projects. It is anticipated that nitrate leaching will be reduced by 9 pounds/acre over at least 2,000 acres totalling 17,800 pounds of nitrate reduction.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(Projects and Practices Drinking Water) (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.
Reduce nitrate leaching by an estimated 8.9 lbs/acre over at least 2,000 acres totaling 17,800 lbs
Reduce water applied by an estimated 25%
Create one assessment report detailing the benefits, challenges, and operation of the VRI for local use
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS