Precision Conservation: Targeting Clean Water Implementation
This project is still under development, measurable outcomes will be reported in 2016.
Eugene Cragoe, Public Relations, (507) 283-1839; Norman Overgaard, Chair, (507) 283-8267; Don Reker, Secretary, (507) 348-7476; Vicky Smook, Vice Chair, (507) 283-4565; Dave Esselink, Treasurer, (507) 962-3699
M.L. 2011: (d) $775,000 the first year and $775,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.
- Number of workshops
- Number of participants that attended each workshops
- Number of local government units represented by workshop participants
Minnesota state agencies are working together to establish and report outcome-based performance measures that monitor the progress and effectiveness of Clean Water Fund activities. This inter-agency group completed a report in February 2012. At the heart of the report is a suite of quantifiable performance measures.MDA's Precision Conservation Initiative will provide data for performance measure FM4: Total dollars awarded in grants and contracts to non-state agency partners.
M.L.2009: (d) $695,000 the first year and $1,570,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance related to ways agricultural practices contribute to restoring impaired waters and assist with the development of TMDL plans.
- Number of workshops
- Number of participants that attended each workshops
- Number of local government units represented by workshop participants
Minnesota state agencies are working together to establish and report outcome-based performance measures that monitor the progress and effectiveness of Clean Water Fund activities. This inter-agency group completed a report in February 2012. At the heart of the report is a suite of quantifiable performance measures.MDA's Precision Conservation Initiative will provide data for performance measure FM4: Total dollars awarded in grants and contracts to non-state agency partners.
"Precision conservation" means targeting conservation practices to places on the landscape where they will be most effective. It's about getting the right practices in the right place, at the right scale.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Precision Conservation initiative is disseminating sophisticated, time-saving digital terrain analysis techniques to help conservation professionals fund management practices that improve water quality. These techniques were evaluated in a 2007 research project, Targeting BMPs to Critical Portion of the Landscape, and have since been used as the basis for workshops and pilot projects with local governments.
In 2010, over 140 GIS-proficient conservation professionals attended one of seven Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) workshops around the state to learn when, why and how to use digital terrain analysis to target conservation practices to the best spot on the landscape (To learn more about these workshops, please visit the MDA's Precision Conservation webpage). The Water Resources Center at the University of Minnesota now hosts these terrain analysis courses.
In 2011, researchers built upon the initial research project and developed guidance and training materials (i.e., workbooks, worksheets) that provide a decision-support system for identifying and delineating critical areas on the landscape. This support system can be used by state and local watershed professionals.
The next phase of this initiative is a pilot project with Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The MDA will provide technical assistance to help Rock County SWCD build upon their previous terrain analysis work and use the available tools to target implementation of conservation practices. This pilot project started in January 2015.
Small portions of the agricultural landscape can have a disproportionately large impact on water quality. Identifying these areas is essential if clean water goals are going to be met. In a previous project, the MDA and the University of Minnesota developed and tested high-resolution digital terrain analysis techniques to accurately identify certain types of critical source areas related to erosion and runoff in agricultural fields near streams.
The previous project found that digital terrain analysis with high-resolution data can dramatically reduce the time and resources needed to identify critical source areas across a large area. Local conservation professionals can use the results to better estimate treatment needs and costs, enhance applications for Clean Water Fund dollars and improve project outcomes. Workshops and case studies are an effective way to start spreading the word about this highly effective approach.
This joint powers agreement (JPA) will provide the Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)/ Land Management Office the resources necessary to adequately utilize and adopt the results of their light detection and ranging (LiDAR) based terrain analysis.This approach will reduce the number of necessary field walkovers, allow SWCD/Land Management staff more time for landowner interactions and enable staff the opportunity to prioritize implementation funds to the most effective areas of the landscape.