Sub-watershed Targeting in the Cottonwood River
Pell Creek is a tributary to the Cottonwood River, one of the thirteen major watersheds in the Minnesota River Basin and the largest watershed in Redwood County. The dominant land use is agricultural, chiefly row-crops with some livestock production. The vast majority of the wetlands have been drained through a highly intricate and efficient system of tiling and ditching. Concentrating conservation efforts in this small sub-watershed allows us to intensify the water quality, water recreation and wildlife habitat benefits locally and positively impacting the Cottonwood River downstream of the targeted area.
The conservation practices will reduce run-off, erosion and both surface and groundwater contamination. Additionally, several practices will enhance wildlife habitat and improve the aesthetics of Pell Creek and the Cottonwood River as a whole. Technical assistance will include comprehensive nutrient management plans and grid sampling variable rate nutrient application will diminish contamination from both feedlots and cropland.
The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service;
Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section;
Nicole Clapp
(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect 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 (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.
Water& Sediment Control Basins(4 basins) - Pell Creek and Tributaries Grid Sampling Variable Rate Nutrient Application (5 producers, 240 ac per) - Pell Creek and Tributaries. Grassed Waterways (2 waterways) - Pell Creek and Tributaries. Grade Stabilization Structures (3 new, 2 re-constructions [+30 yrs]) - Pell Creek and Tributaries. Alternative Intakes (40 intakes) - Pell Creek and Tributaries. Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (6 plans) - Pell Creek and Tributaries. Proposed Reductions: 36 tons/year Nitrogen, 258 lbs/year Phosphorus and 214 tons/year Sediment
Final pollution reduction estimates: 1236 lbs/yr phosphorus, 1262 tons/yr sediment (TSS), 1039 tons/yr soil loss,
The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources.