CRP Incentives for Targeted Sediment Loading Reduction

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$35,625
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Turtle Creek WD
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
March 2014
End Date
December 2016
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Freeborn
Freeborn
Project Overview

In the battle to make real progress in sediment reduction to Turtle Creek, buffer strips are on the defensive front lines, holding the land at its most critical point. Grass strips along waterways have long provided a catchment area for agricultural field runoff. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has developed guidance and performance standards that utilize the maximum amount of benefit when installed through that program. In recent years, the Turtle Creek Watershed residents have faced a difficult decision over whether or not to incorporate grass buffers on their farms. Many are even converting existing contracts back to crop land.

This project targets the area identified as contributing the most sediment to Turtle Creek Watershed and will provide financial incentives to secure the necessary acres to establish buffer strips in this highly productive agricultural area. The district is proposing a $50 incentive payment for each acre and each year of CRP buffer enrolled in the targeted priority subwatersheds. The payment would act as an upfront incentive. This is a surgical strategy that targets the 20% of the Total Maximum Daily Load basin identified as the heaviest sediment loading to Turtle Creek and the Cedar River.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
NO
Conflict of Interest Contact

Nicole Clapp

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2013, Regular Session chapter 137
Appropriation Language

Projects and Practices 2014

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$35,625
Other Funds Leveraged
$9,375
Direct expenses
$35,625
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.09
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The primary pollutant being targeted with this project are Sediment yields delivered to the Turtle Creek and ultimately the Cedar River. Turtle Creek is an impaired water body due to excessive sediment being delivered to the stream. The implementation plan for the Cedar River Basin identifies several areas in the watershed with different contributing factors for protection. In the targeted areas of this initiative, the sediment is coming from overland flow and getting into the waterway. This project would utilize the existing CRP program and design standards for eligibility of payment. This ensures that the project is designed to act as a fully operational filter and catchment area for overland flow of sediment, and hold those suspended solids in the grass buffer, prior to its delivery into the waterway.

Measurable Outcome(s)

This project resulted in estimated reductions of 1,200 tons of sediment per year and 54 fewer tons of soil lost annually.

Source of Additional Funds

LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS

Recipient Board Members
Members for Turtle Creek WD are: Al Lyman, Arlen Schamber, Dan Regner, David Vanderploeg, Harlen Peck, James Gebhardt, James Kellogg, Jeff Ravenhorst, Jim Gebhardt, Jon Erichson, Mike Jones, Peter Vanerkel, Randy Smith, Richard Fuller, Rick Gehling, Steve Kraushaar
Project Manager
First Name
Justin
Last Name
Hanson
Organization Name
Turtle Creek WD
Street Address
1408 21st Ave NW Ste 2
City
Austin
State
MN
Zip Code
55912
Phone
507-434-2603
Email
justin.hanson@mowerswcd.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767