Itasca County Sensitive Lakeshore Identification

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$80,000
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$80,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2011
End Date
June 2014
Activity Type
Assessment/Evaluation
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Inventory
Modeling
Planning
Restoration/Enhancement
Counties Affected
Itasca
Itasca
Project Overview


OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS
The impetus for this project was the need to better protect and manage functional lake ecosystems in Minnesota. There is widespread concern about the consequences of poorly planned development on water quality and fish and wildlife habitat. Given the increased demands for water and shoreland, continued habitat fragmentation and loss of species diversity, protection of sensitive lakeshores is critical.

Data on the distribution and ecology of rare plants and animals, native plant communities, and vulnerable lakeshores are needed to prioritize actions to conserve and manage lake ecosystems. As Minnesota assesses the status of its natural resources, develops plans for priority resources, and invests millions of dollars in resource protection efforts, information that helps target conservation decisions along lakeshores will be vital. This project delivered information specifically for that need. The project identified priority areas in Itasca County for shoreland reclassification and potential purchase or conservation easement, as well as provided interpretive products to shoreland property owners and state and local governments.

Sensitive lakeshore assessments were completed on 51 Itasca County lakes. In total, 170 miles of shoreline and nearly 32,000 acres of shoreland were identified as highly sensitive lakeshore. Project partners conducted Sensitive Shoreline presentations to the Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations and individual Lake Associations. The project completed approximately 200 onsite shoreland property evaluations, and for those property owners it provided technical guidance/services for re-establishment of native vegetative buffers and shoreline erosion stabilization projects. Shoreline activities were also reviewed for ordinance compliance. The Itasca County Comprehensive Land Use Plan was updated to advance proactive protection of sensitive lakeshores, and information was developed that will be considered as the Itasca County Zoning Ordinances are updated.

PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION
Information from this study was presented to several Lake Associations of targeted lakes and the information was made available on the Itasca SWCD and DNR's websites. Itasca SWCD will use this information Itasca County will take the information under consideration in prioritizing future activities on targeted lakes and as they commence their next zoning ordinance update planned for 2015 and for any future planned development or requested variances on identified sensitive shorelines.

Project Details
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 05a
Appropriation Language

$80,000 the first year and $80,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District to identify sensitive lakeshore and restorable shoreline in Itasca County. Up to $130,000 may be retained by the Department of Natural Resources at the request of Itasca County to provide technical assistance.

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$80,000
Direct expenses
$80,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.19
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 05a
Appropriation Language

$80,000 the first year and $80,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District to identify sensitive lakeshore and restorable shoreline in Itasca County. Up to $130,000 may be retained by the Department of Natural Resources at the request of Itasca County to provide technical assistance.

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$80,000
Direct expenses
$80,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.19
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".

Project Manager
First Name
Jim
Last Name
Gustafson
Organization Name
Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District
Street Address
1889 E Highway 2
City
Grand Rapids
State
MN
Zip Code
55744
Phone
(218) 326-0017
Email
jim.gustafson@itascaswcd.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency