2022 - Dakota County Drinking Water Protection Project Phase 2
The Dakota County Drinking Water Protection Project?s goal is to reduce pollutants (primarily nitrates) that are becoming increasingly common in groundwater sourced drinking water throughout Dakota County. This will be accomplished by implementing groundwater protection practices in areas that are vulnerable to contamination. This project includes both private wells and public water supplies and will focus on townships that have testing data indicating elevated nitrates in drinking water. Cover crops will be the primary practice along with harvestable covers and restoring perennial vegetation in critical locations. An estimated 1,000 acres of cover crops, 200 acres of harvestable covers, and 10 acres of restored perennial vegetation will be established through this project and an estimated 7,500 lbs. of nitrogen will be prevented from reaching groundwater that is used for drinking water.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(Projects and Practices Drinking Water) (b) $10,762,000 the first year and $11,504,000 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.
This project will install 1,000 acres of cover crops and 200 acres of harvestable covers for a period of 3 years along with 10 acres of restored perennial vegetation and will prevent 7,500 lbs. of nitrogen from contaminating drinking water supplies.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS