2021 Lower Clearwater River Subwatershed Water Quality Agricultural Practices (Phase III)
Red Lake County SWCD has targeted ten sites for implementation of structural agricultural practices based on data analysis and conducted an erosion site inventory which found landowners in these priority areas that were eager to fix the erosion problems on their fields. The structural agricultural practices will include, but are not limited to, grade stabilization structures, grassed waterways, and water and sediment basins. The implementation of these practices is estimated to reduce sediment loading to the Clearwater River by 793.28 tons/year. This will improve water quality, recreation, fish habitat, and aesthetics. Further downstream, the City of East Grand Forks pulls its drinking water from the Red Lake River, also making these projects a regional concern.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(Projects and Practices)(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.
The ten practices will reduce sediment loading by 793.28 ton/year, soil loss by 1958.82 tons/year, and phosphorus by 569.38 pounds/year. The average cost effectiveness is $409.75/ton/year of sediment and $570.88/pound/year of phosphorus.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS