Agricultural Conservation Partnership - Dakota County
This project will improve surface and groundwater quality in the rural sections of the Vermillion and North Cannon River Watersheds located in Dakota County through the installation of targeted structural and vegetative conservation practices. This project will leverage local and federal funds to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners that install agricultural water quality practices.
In cooperation with the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization and the North Cannon River Watershed Organization, the project will target, prioritize, and establish conservation practices. The goal is to reduce pollutants in subwatersheds with identified surface water impairments and poor ground water quality. Practices like grassed waterways, sediment and water control structures, streambank stabilization projects, feedlot improvement projects and filter strips will be installed to reduce pollutants including bacteria, phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment. Twenty-three projects have been identified and are scheduled to be surveyed, designed and ready for construction starting in the spring of 2012.
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.
Targeted installation of agricultural BMPs in Cannon River Watershed - Cannon River, Chub Creek, Mud Creek, N. Branch Chub Creek, Trout Brook, Pine Creek, Lake Byllesby, Chub Lake Targeted installation of agricultural BMPs in Vermillion River Watershed - Vermillion River, Lower Vermillion River, South Branch Vermillion River, North Creek, Middle Creek, South Creek Proposed Reductions: 561 Phosphorus lbs/year and 659 Sediment tons/year
Seven landowners completed installation of 14 agricultural BMPs in Cannon River Water-shed - Cannon River, Chub Creek, Mud Creek, Trout Brook. Seven landowners completed installation of 18 agricultural BMPs in Vermillion River Watershed.
Actual Reductions:
2,295 Phosphorus pounds per year
7,193 Sediment tons per year
The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources.