Large Turf Areas Conversion to Native Plantings
The Washington Conservation District (WCD) proposes a program to reduce overall phosphorus contributions to Lake St. Croix impaired for excess nutrients by converting maintained turf grass areas to native plant cover. Initial water quality benefit modeling results reveals up to a 99% reduction in total phosphorus runoff when converting an acre of turfgrass to an established native planting. Priority will be given to locations directly connected to Lake St. Croix or to receiving water bodies impaired that are a tributary of Lake St. Croix.
Project costs include conversion of turf areas to native plantings as well as 2 years of maintenance from the time of planting and seeding. Maintenance of native planting areas is essential to the successful establishment of the plantings. The total number of grant outputs would be up to 30 projects.
Bob Rosenquist, Jim Levitt, John Rheinberger, Louise Smallidge, George Weyer
Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Terry Bovee -MDH Principal Planner Drinking Water Protection; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Dave Friedl -DNR Northern Region Clean Water Specialist; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Dwight Wilcox -MDA Ag BMP Program Planner; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator;-DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager;
Nicole Clapp
Laws of Minnesota 2011, 1st Special Session, Chapter 6, Section 7, and Laws of Minnesota 2012, Chapter 264, Section 7
Up to Thirty Community Partners Grant Projects
12 Community Partners Grant Projects converting 19.8 acres turf to prairie conversion and reducing phosphorus by 29 pounds per year.
The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources.