Blue Earth County Ravine and Stream Stabilization

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$57,895
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Blue Earth SWCD
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2011
End Date
December 2013
Activity Type
Assessment/Evaluation
Technical Assistance
Counties Affected
Blue Earth
Blue Earth
Project Overview

Ravine, stream bank and bluff erosion contribute significant amounts of sediment to rivers and streams. The MPCA report, Identifying sediment sources in the Minnesota River Basin, found the Blue Earth and Le Sueur watersheds contribute as such as half of the sediment to the Minnesota River, even though they account for only one-fifth of its drainage area. These watersheds contain the majority of the bluffs in the basin as well as many large
ravines.
Within Blue Earth County there are hundreds of eroding ravines and bluffs along its 368 miles of rivers and streams and 186 miles of unnamed and intermittent streams. Erosion from these areas is a water quality concern as well as a potential threat to dwellings, roadways and infrastructure. Blue Earth County is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan to include a special risk
assessment of ravine, stream bank and bluff erosion. The ability of local government to address these problems is limited due to the scale, magnitude and complexity of problems and solutions, lack of enough qualified, technical local staff, and lack of financial resources. With technical guidance, a committee, including representatives from affected townships and
municipalities, will work on assessing these risks. Clean Water Funds will be used for preliminary site investigations to support prioritization and categorization of problem areas and final design of at least five ravine and bluff stabilization projects to reduce erosion and provide ecological benefits.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Conflict of Interest Contact

Nicole Clapp

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2009, Chapter 172, Article 2, Section 6 (g)
Appropriation Language

(g) $2,330,000 the first year and $1,830,000 the second year are for grants to implement stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline protection, and restoration projects to protect water quality. Of this amount, $330,000 the first year and $330,000 the second year may be used for technical assistance and grants to establish a conservation drainage program in consultation with the Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Drainage Work Group that consists of pilot projects to retrofit existing drainage systems with water quality improvement practices, evaluate outcomes, and provide outreach to landowners, public drainage authorities, drainage engineers and contractors, and others. Of this amount, $500,000 the first year is for a grant to Hennepin County for riparian restoration and stream bank stabilization in the ten primary stream systems in Hennepin County in order to protect, enhance, and help restore the water quality of the streams and downstream receiving waters. The county shall work with watershed districts and water management organizations to identify and prioritize projects. To the extent possible, the county shall employ youth through the Minnesota Conservation Corps and Tree Trust to plant trees and shrubs to reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks. This appropriation must be matched by nonstate sources, including in-kind contributions (2010 - Shoreland Improvement)

2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$57,895
Other Funds Leveraged
$75,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Clean Water Funds will be used for preliminary site investigations to support prioritization and categorization of problem areas and final design of at least five ravine and bluff stabilization projects to reduce erosion and provide ecological benefits.

Measurable Outcome(s)

This project has yielded an estimated phosphorus reduction of 147 lbs/yr and sediment reduction of 103 tons/yr.

Project Manager
First Name
Jerad
Last Name
Bach
Organization Name
Blue Earth SWCD
Phone
(507) 345-4744
Email
jerad.bach@blueearthswcd.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767