Vulnerable Non-Community Public Water Supply Protection In Mississippi Outwash Plains Using Cover Crops Phase 2
This proposal seeks to prevent nitrate contamination in and around vulnerable Non-Community (Transient and Non-Transient) Public Water Supplies within the sandy outwash plains of the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota. Within the work area we have identified 221 public (non-municipal) water supplies in this area which include places of worship, restaurants, office spaces, bars, daycares and campgrounds within the Morrison and Benton County work area. This area is known by the MDA to have sensitive soils which are used for irrigated crop production, primarily potatoes, corn, beans and specialty crops. The goal is to maintain and possibly improve the risk of some of the 221 vulnerable public water supplies in this area from nitrate contamination by implementing 2500 acres of cover crop each year for three years.
The Morrison SWCD currently has one active Clean Water Fund grant. This grant is for the 2023 fiscal year and specifically used for cover crop adoption. 100% of funds have been incumbered, but no payments have been made. There are currently 34 contracts that are waiting to be planted and for in-field verification.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(b) $8,500,000 the first year and $8,500,000 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. Up to 20 percent of this appropriation is available for land-treatment projects and practices that benefit drinking water.
The goal would be to implement 2500 acres of cover crop each year for three years in areas vulnerable to contamination from nitrates.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS