2023 West Indian Creek Watershed Restoration and Protection
West Indian Creek (WIC) watershed has been specifically mentioned in multiple plans as a location to target for protection and restoration. It is recognized for its' high conservation value forests, biodiversity , and rare species. WIC is one of 18 cold water trout streams in Wabasha County and approximately 3 stream miles have been restored by Trout Unlimited. WIC is currently listed as impaired for E. coli and mercury. However, the focus of our application is on sediment and nitrates. Assessment work completed by MPCA and DNR has shown high levels of sediment and increasing trends in nitrates. Contributing issues can be addressed now before it becomes officially impaired. The Wabasha Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) engaged in implementation of the West Indian Creek Nine Key Element Plan (319 Plan). A Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) request was approved by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) that makes special Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds available to fund eligible projects in the West Indian Creek Watershed (WIC). Multiple partners and fund sources are engaged in implementation to meet match requirements. Clean Water Funding (CWF) through this application will ensure uninterrupted coordination and outreach for landowner engagement and local leader development. It will provide project funding to leverage federal contributions and to cover projects entirely that may not have other funding sources. Staff can dedicate time to continued carry out targeted efforts. The entire project will showcase project effectiveness through monitoring that is part of the 319 work plan. Project practices will include, but not limited to, grade stabilization structures, grassed waterways, contour farming, cover crop, reduced tillage practices, forest edge buffers, grazing and pasture management practices, and nutrient management practices supported through MRBI funding, as well as other 319 work plan items not eligible for MRBI.
http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/board
http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/board
Annie Felix-Gerth
(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.
It is anticipated that measurable outcomes towards WIC portion of the Lower Zumbro for CWMP Plan goals are 508.49% (262.07 T/acre of 51.4 goal) TSS reduction and a 782.16% (11,200.50 lbs./ac. of 1432 goal) Total Nitrate reduction is anticipated.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS