Clean Water for the Blue Earth River Basin

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$242,075
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
January 2011
End Date
December 2013
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected
Blue Earth
Cottonwood
Faribault
Freeborn
Jackson
Le Sueur
Martin
Waseca
Watonwan
Blue Earth
Cottonwood
Faribault
Freeborn
Jackson
Le Sueur
Martin
Waseca
Watonwan
Project Overview

The nine member Counties and Soil and Water Conservation Districts of the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) will be able to enhance our effectiveness to provide elevated levels of technical assistance, education and outreach in the areas of urban stormwater, wellhead protection, nutrient management, conservation agronomy, drainage and agricultural best management practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution in the Blue Earth, Le Sueur and Watonwan River Watersheds.
The Blue Earth River Basin needs to reduce fecal coliform from wastewater treatment facilities, rural household septic systems, livestock, wildlife and pets. Most livestock manure is used appropriately as a fertilizer and soil amendment, however the sheer volume of manure produced in the watershed means that runoff of even a very small percentage of what is applied may contaminate surface waters.
The MN River Basin needs land use practices that reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients reaching the river. Installation of riparian buffers, streambank stabilization, water storage, surface tile intakes, and crop residue management help to reduce sediment transport. On farmland, conservation tillage and increased crop diversity including pasture can reduce sediment loss considerably. Crop nutrient management plans keep nitrogen and phosphorus out of waters, as do improvements in private and public wastewater treatment systems. In cities and developing areas, stormwater management and construction erosion control prevent sediment runoff.
The Urban Outreach Specialist will also work directly with wellhead protection issues. Groundwater and drinking water source protection will be one of the focus areas of the position, those concerns are also directly impacted by the BMPs promoted through the remaining three staff positions.

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 (b); Laws of Minnesota 2009, Chapter 172, Article 2, Section 6 (i)
Appropriation Language

(i) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for targeted nonpoint restoration technical assistance and engineering. At least 93 percent of this amount must be made available for grants. (2011 - Restoration Technical Assistance)

2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$242,075
Other Funds Leveraged
$358,001
Measurable Outcome(s)

Pollution reduction estimates for the completed project include 147 lbs/yr phosphorus, 103 tons/yr TSS, and 55 tons/yr soil loss reduction.

Project Manager
First Name
Kay
Last Name
Clark
Phone
(507) 831-1153 x3
Email
kay.clark@windomnet.com
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767