River Park Stormwater Improvements
The River Park Stormwater Improvements Project will enhance water quality, improve natural habitats, and expand recreational and interpretive elements to protect the Mississippi River from contaminants from the 300-acre River Park subwatershed in the City of Brooklyn Park (the City). About 2 acres of the park will be converted into stormwater best management practices including an integrated stormwater pond and an enhanced natural space with rain gardens. The integrated stormwater pond and rain gardens will provide water quality for the entire subwatershed, including nearly 250 acres that are currently untreated. The City, in association with the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission (WMWMC), will:
Remove over 50 pounds of phosphorus and 31,260 pounds of sediment from water discharging to the Mississippi River.
Protect the Mississippi River drinking water supply used by almost 20% of Minnesotans.
Plant pollinator-friendly native trees, shrubs, and grass materials that reduce runoff and absorb excess nutrients from stormwater.
Divert water through the stormwater pond to provide water quality treatment for the runoff from a 0.5-inch storm event over the subwatershed.
Restore river banks of the River.
Create a public recreational feature with open sight lines to the River, a looped trail, and access to the River for outdoor water recreation.
The City does not have other active CWF grants. The City has included within its 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) the resources to support the redevelopment of River Park and the associated stormwater treatment project. The City's Engineer will be the dedicated project manager for the stormwater project. This project is one of the last opportunities to provide improvements to the River Park subwatershed, as the upstream area is completely developed. The improvements will provide water quality treatment and enhance natural habitats while maximizing recreation and education opportunities within River Park.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(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 proposed project is a voluntary effort by the City to exceed requirements by providing treatment to 250 acres that are currently untreated, annually reducing TP and TSS loads to the impaired Mississippi River by 50 lbs and 31260 lbs respectively.
Grant funds funded the stormwater diversion structure and raingarden filtration system along with the shoreline restoration were completed and all anticipated pollutant goals were met.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS