Fillmore County Community Partners

Although agriculture dominates the landscape in the Root River watershed, urban stormwater is a component of the nonpoint sources that create the sediment load that is the main focus for reduction strategies in the draft turbidity TMDL report. This project will provide an opportunity to work with non-profits and other groups in local communities to implement stormwater practices that improve infiltration, storage and treatment of stormwater before it discharges into streams and rivers. A process will be developed modeled after existing programs to allow these groups to apply for subgrants through the Soil and Water Conservation District to implement practices that help achieve goals and objectives in the Comprehensive Local Water Management (LWM). Opportunities exist to work with several community organizations to promote the use of rain barrels and rain gardens and other practices both on private and public lands.