Sauk River Dam Fish Passage
The Stearns County SWCD will not be using the LSOHC funding for the Sauk River Dam Fish Passage project due to the main project partner (City of Melrose) moving in a different direction with the dam and stream restoration.
On December 12, 2019, the Melrose City Council adopted Resolution 2019-60, rescinding its previous consent to the Rock Arch Rapids Fish Passage proposal and making them ineligible to receive funds that had been approved by LSOHC and separately by the Legislative Coordinating Commission on Natural Resources. Therefore, the Stearns County SWCD Board of Supervisors requests withdrawal of the $737,000 Outdoor Heritage Fund allocation in its entirety.
We apologize for the confusion this situation has caused. The SWCD's intent has been and will always be to utilize Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) monies to restore and protect high-quality habitat; unfortunately, this project no longer meets those criteria. In continuing to work with the City of Melrose and other partners within the County, the SWCD will ensure that future proposals are communicated clearly, have buy-in from all stakeholders, and adhere to all OHF requirements.
The Stearns County SWCD staff and Supervisors would like to sincerely thank you for your efforts to protect natural resources in Stearns County.
$737,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District to restore and enhance riverine habitat in the Sauk River and provide fish passage by removing the dam and modifying and installing structures at the Melrose dam site.
City of Melrose & LCCMR