Little Rock Lake Phosphorus Reduction Project
Little Rock Lake,in Benton County, is negatively impacted for nutrients. Little Rock Lake is a significant regional recreational lake. Toxins released by blue green algae blooms have been the highest ever measured by the Minnesota Department of Health. Given the importance of this resource and the severity of the water quality problems, obtaining tangible water quality improvements is a high priority in the Benton and Morrison County local water management plans.
This project kicks off the implementation strategies to reduce phosphorus entering Little Rock Lake through a coordinated effort with Benton and Morrison SWCD's the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Little Rock Lake Association, the poultry and livestock industry and other partners. Numerous conservation practices will be installed by providing financial and technical assistance to landowners within the watershed.
The conservation practices identified for this project will reduce pollutant loading to Little Rock Lake by up to 400 tons of sediment and 500 lbs of phosphorus each year. Another 700 lbs of phosphorus savings will result from enhanced monitoring and management of crop nutrient needs.
The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service;
Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section;
Nicole Clapp
(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.
Sieben riparian pasture fencing project - Little Rock Lake Nutrient Management test plots - Little Rock Lake 10 Lake Buffer Strips - Little Rock Lake Projected projects based on past performance and projects currently under planning. - Little Rock Lake Simmons streambank stabilization - Little Rock Lake Proposed Reductions: 31.76 Nitrogen lbs/year, 1204.6 Phosphorus lbs/year and 388.73 Sediment tons/year
Final pollution reduction estimates are as follows: 2660 lbs/yr nitrogen, 1465 lbs/yr phosphorus, 990 tons/yr sediment (TSS), 1151 soil loss reduction.
The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources.