Reducing nitrates in drinking water through new irrigation technologies

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$217,300
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Recipient
Otter Tail, East SWCD
Recipient Type
Local/Regional Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
February 2021
End Date
March 2024
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Otter Tail
Wadena
Otter Tail
Wadena
Project Details

Large areas in Otter Tail and Wadena County are at risk of nitrogen contamination due to sandy soils and nitrogen fertilizer use. Irrigation scheduling and fertilizer management need modern updates through variable rate technology and soil moisture sensors to better utilize and inform irrigators when to fertilize. EOTSWCD and Wadena SWCD will use cost share to help establish precision management for variable rate irrigation (VRI) in 1 field, soil water sensors in 20 fields, and 10 nutrient management plans for irrigation management on high and medium priority parcels. These parcels are based off results from the draft Otter Tail WRAPS and Redeye 1W1P. The SWCDs will develop an assessment report detailing the local results for VRI and soil moisture sensors that will provide results to local landowners and for future projects. These project activities are based on results from the 2017 CWF AIG Ag and Groundwater report.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Conflict of Interest Contact

Annie Felix-Gerth

Legal Citation / Subdivision
The Laws of Minnesota 2019, 1st Special Session, Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 7(b)&(j),
Appropriation Language

(b) $16,000,000 the first year and $16,000,000 the second year are for grants to local government units to protect and restore 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 projects and stream bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration, and ravine stabilization projects. The projects must use practices demonstrated to be effective, be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans, watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local water management plans or their equivalents. A portion of this money may be used to seek administrative efficiencies through shared resources by multiple local governmental units. Up to 20 percent of this appropriation is available for land-treatment projects and practices that benefit drinking water. & (j) $850,000 the first year and $850,000 the second year are for technical assistance and grants for the conservation drainage program in consultation with the Drainage Work Group, coordinated under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.101, subdivision 13, that includes projects to improve multipurpose water management under Minnesota Statutes, section 103E.015.

2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$217,300
Other Funds Leveraged
$230,140
Direct expenses
$203,298
Administration costs
$13,931
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.450191571
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Reduce nitrate leaching by an estimated 8.9 lbs/acre over at least 2,000 acres totaling 17,800 lbs
Reduce water applied by an estimated 25%
Create one assessment report detailing the benefits, challenges, and operation of the VRI for local use

Measurable Outcome(s)

Estimated nitrate leaching by 18,530 lbs on 5,220 acres

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
achieved most of the proposed measurable outcomes
Source of Additional Funds

LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS

Recipient Board Members
Bruce Albright, Lyle Dittmann, Steve Inwards, Terry Greenwaldt, Wayne Enger
Project Manager
First Name
Darren
Last Name
Newville
Organization Name
Otter Tail, East SWCD
Street Address
801 Jenny Ave SW Ste 2 Perham, MN 56573
City
Perham
State
MN
Zip Code
56573
Phone
218-346-9105
Email
darren.newville@eot.mnswcd.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651- 296-3767