Campus Groundwater Conservation Planning Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$200,000
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Area 4 - Metropolitan SWCDs Technical Service Area
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2016
End Date
December 2018
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Scott
Scott
Project Overview

Once thought to have an essentially inexhaustible groundwater supply, Minnesotans are now realizing our rates of use are regionally unsustainable. Recent advanced modeling by the MN DNR and Metropolitan Council of aquifer supplies, in conjunction with predicted demand, indicate the major metropolitan area aquifers are currently subject to extraction rates that exceed recharge. Simply stated, we are mining our groundwater. In addition to supply concerns, several surface waters within the metro area, most notably White Bear Lake, are experiencing impacts due to reduced aquifer levels associated with excessive groundwater extraction. Sustainable groundwater strategies will need to influence both the supply and use side of the water budget. Supply can be increased through efforts that infiltrate precipitation into the soil; use can be decreased by implementing efficiencies, and the use of alternative water sources. The Metro Conservation Districts (MCD) propose to provide groundwater conservation planning protocols to member districts for implementation on large-acreage, public campuses (e.g. public schools, hospitals, and government facilities). These areas are targeted due to their educational benefits, likelihood of stakeholder buy in and implementation, magnitude of potential impact, and opportunity for school district-wide implementation. This project will provide and apply a systematic approach to identify and rank groundwater conservation BMPs in terms of cost-effectiveness. Similar to the statewide benefits provided through the stormwater retrofit analysis process, MCD is confident this protocol will expand to all areas of the state, thereby ultimately providing long-lasting, far-reaching groundwater conservation efforts. Because this ranking stems from a thorough understanding of both the benefits of a project and the associated costs, the findings will inform and facilitate adoption of new groundwater conservation standards by regulatory entities.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

See http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/index.html and http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/boarddirectory.pdf

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

See http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/index.html

Conflict of Interest Contact

Annie Felix-Gerth

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of MN 2015 1st Special Session Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 7
Appropriation Language

Accelerated Implementation Grant 2016: Laws of MN 2015 First Special Session Chapter 2, Article 7, Section 7

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$200,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$46,293
Direct expenses
$185,173
Administration costs
$8,053
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.19
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This project will result in the development of a systematic approach to identify and rank groundwater conservation BMPs in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Work was completed as per the approved work plan, and included Metro Conservation Districts (MCD) established a task force to research existing protocols, water conservation and reuse best management practices, and calculators that could estimate water use savings, and subsequent water quality benefits, from the implementation of Best Management Practice (BMP). The task force developed water use protocols and an audit process for large public campuses to identify and prioritize water conservation, water efficiency, and runoff infiltration and reuse BMP opportunities, estimate the cost-benefit and water quality benefits to implement identified BMPs. MCD trained member staff on the protocol and audit process and conducted water use audits and developed groundwater conservation plans for 21 public campuses across the 11-county twin cities metro area. MCD also provided training to facilities managers for each campus on implementation of recommended BMPs.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
achieved proposed outcomes
Source of Additional Funds

LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS

Recipient Board Members
Members for Area 4 - Metropolitan SWCDs Technical Service Area are: Doug Schoenecker, Gary Hartmann, James Fitzsimmons, Linda Brown, Robert Casey
Project Manager
First Name
Troy
Last Name
Kuphal
Organization Name
Area 4 - Metropolitan SWCDs Technical Service Area
Street Address
7151 190th St W Ste 125
City
Jordan
State
MN
Zip Code
55352
Phone
952-492-5425
Email
tkuphal@co.scott.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767