2021 Metro WBIF - Lower MN South - Scott WMO
This grant has two main activities, the first of which is related to education of our youth in Scott County. The Scott SWCD with local watershed partners have hosted an outdoor educational event for 5th graders. This program will be expanded into a classroom visitation program for 5th-8th grade students that will achieve MN academic standards, provide equitable access to program activities to underserved students, increase program participation and demonstrate behavior change to improve water quality with a goal of 1500 student participants and pledges annually.
The second activity is implementing conservation BMPs to improve water quality in the Lower Minnesota River (LMR) watershed. The Scott WMO, in partnership with the Scott SWCD, has a 15-year track record of successfully working with both agricultural and urban watershed residents to implement targeted conservation projects Best Management Practices (BMP). The premise behind this long-term program is that over 90% of the land within the watershed is owned and managed by private landowner, so accomplishing nonpoint source pollution reduction goals would be impossible without their willingness and cooperation to adopt pro-water quality projects and land management behaviors. This activity will enable the WMO to build on its past success by providing a critical source of funding for the provision of technical assistance and cost share. Funds will be used towards the implementation of BMP?s that address the root causes of impairment in the LMR watershed.
Education Outcomes:
5 online lesson plans developed to educate youth on conserving water resources
1500 post-lesson pledges taken annually by participating students
BMP Outcomes:
30+ BMP's in cooperation with over 2 dozen cooperators including private landowners and local units of government
Environmental Benefit Reductions include:
Phosphorus: 880 lbs./yr.
Sediment: 775 tons/yr.
Runoff: 11.5 acre/ft.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(Watershed Based Implementation Funding)(a) $13,591,000 the first year and $13,375,000 the second year are for performance-based grants with multiyear implementation plans to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan or metropolitan surface water management frameworks or groundwater plans. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph.
Education Outcomes: 5 online lesson plans & 1500 post-lesson pledges taken annually
BMP Outcomes: 30+ BMP's resulting in reductions of: Phosphorus - 880 lbs./yr.; Sediment - 775 tons/yr.; and Runoff 11.5 acre/ft.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS