Rice Lake Wetland Restoration Construction
Project funding is requested to construct an on-the-ground implementation project to restore function to the partially drained Rice Lake wetland, which will reduce phosphorous loading to downstream Detroit Lake. By restoring the wetland?s hydrology, the District will be able to reduce the annual phosphorous load (1,200-2500 pounds/yr) from this wetland. This project will focus on the Upper Pool Restoration Area, consisting of: a rock fishway water control structure with 15 foot wide low-water crossing and draw-down capability, improvements to the existing access, removal of a two road culverts within the vacated township road section to restore the stream channel within the wetland, replacement of the historic Rice Lake outlet channel culverts with a rock weir grade control structure.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(Projects and Practices)(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.
The project is estimated to provide 296% of the phosphorus reductions goal (203 lbs/yr per Otter Tail WRAPS), a reduction of 600 lbs/yr to the main basin of Detroit Lake. This project will create an additional 116 acre-ft of water storage.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS