Otter Tail County Buffer Initiative Acceleration

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$290,616
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Otter Tail, West SWCD
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
In Progress
Start Date
March 2015
End Date
December 2018
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Otter Tail
Otter Tail
Project Overview

This Initiative is a nine-year plan to take a systematic approach to inventory and analyze all Public Waters within the County. Phase 1 includes identifying areas of concern through GIS analysis of current landuse along Public Waters, and the development of a database of non-compliant landowners which will be updated and maintained. Once landowners have been identified they will receive a joint letter and map stating that they may not be in compliance. Phase 2 includes a follow-up review of the initial inventory, and all landowners who do not comply with the Phase 1 letter will receive a 2nd notice of non-compliance. Phase 3 includes an additional review of previous inventories with a final notice of non-compliance to all landowners who have not installed the required buffer. At this point the county proceed with enforcement actions as necessary. This grant will accelerate the inventory and compliance with State and County Shoreland Rules with a proposed completion in five years. By addressing the 4,618 miles of shoreline in a systematic approach and achieving 100% compliance as outlined in the Otter Tail County Local Water Management Plan we will be able to achieve measurable results that improve and protect water quality within and leaving Otter Tail County.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

See http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/index.html and http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/boarddirectory.pdf

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

See http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/index.html

Conflict of Interest Contact

Nicole Clapp

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2013, Regular Session chapter 137
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$290,616
Other Funds Leveraged
$270,000
Direct expenses
$290,616
Administration costs
$11,802
Number of full time equivalents funded
5.99
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This project will provide a comprehensive mapping/inventory of public waters and determine the
status of compliance with MN's Shoreland Management Rule 6120 and Otter Tail County's Shoreland Management
Ordinance.

Source of Additional Funds

LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS

Recipient Board Members
Members for Otter Tail, West SWCD are: John Walkup, Julian Sjostrom, Richard Viger, Rick Drevlow, Rod Wenstrom
Project Manager
First Name
Brad
Last Name
Mergens
Organization Name
Otter Tail, West SWCD
Phone
218-739-4694 x 4
Email
brad.mergens@mn.nacdnet.net
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767