Greening the Big Box
Comfort Lake is one of Chisago county's largest recreational lakes. Comfort Lake is of regional significance with public access for boating, fishing and swimming. A pollution reduction study was conducted for the lake because of decreasing water quality. This study identified highly urban areas as one of the sources of nutrients.
This project will be completed as part of a comprehensive effort to address excess nutrient loading to Comfort Lake and will focus on implementing two sets of targeted actions: retrofitting filtration practices into parking lots of existing "big box"-type retail and commercial properties, and reshaping an untreated street section into a green street. The project will install stormwater management controls in targeted areas where minimal or no stormwater controls currently exist. The addition of stormwater practices will reduce the total phosphorus load to Comfort Lake by an estimated 11 pounds per year.
The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service;
Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section;
Nicole Clapp
(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect 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 (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.
Green Streets conversion to provide stormwater treatment along untreated roadways in City of Forest Lake - Comfort Lake and Stormwater treatment for"big box" retail and industrial areas in City of Forest Lake - Comfort Lake Proposed Reductions: 11 lbs/year Phosphorus and 3 tons/year Sediment
This project has resulted in the following pollution reduction estimates: 9 lbs/yr phosphorus and 16 tons/year sediment (TSS).
The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources.