Targeted Implementation within the LeSueur River Watershed
The LeSueur River Watershed is one of the highest nutrient loading watersheds for both phosphorus and nitrogen in the State of Minnesota. The LeSueur River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) Report was completed in August 2015 and further identifies pollutant sources and reduction goals within the LeSueur River Watershed. The WRAPS report highlights the Beauford Ditch watershed and the Madison Lake watershed area amongst the highest sources of nutrient loading to the LeSueur River. This project will target these high loading watersheds to prioritize the most cost-effective best management practices to meet the nutrient reduction goals using a suite of targeting tools such as the new Prioritize, Targeted, and Measurable Application (PTM App) and the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) toolbox.
Annie Felix-Gerth
$6,000,000 the first year and $6,000,000 the second year are for targeted local resource protection and enhancement grants and statewide program enhancements for technical assistance, citizen and community outreach, and training and certification, as well as projects, practices, and programs that supplement or otherwise exceed current state standards for protection, enhancement, and restoration of water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that protect groundwater from degradation, including compliance.
This project will result in projects within the Beauford Ditch and Madison Lake watershed area to be prioritized based on their value to water quality. Prioritizing the BMPs will allow limited conservation funds to be used in the areas where nutrient red
Work was completed as per the approved work plan and included the use of a suite of targeting tools in the subwatersheds indicated by the Le Sueur WRAPS (Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies) as the highest contributors of sediment from field sources in the Le Sueur River Watershed.
CD86 - Beauford Ditch subwatershed
21 projects were identified by the targeting tools: 6 waterways, 5 WASCOBs (Water and Sediment Control Basin Training Series), 6 Alternative Side Inlets (ASIs). Field investigation completed by staff identified an additional 4 locations.
CD83 - Madison Lake subwatershed
89 projects were identified by the targeting tools, but not all would be needed to meet reduction goals: 29 waterways, 19 WASCOBs, 30 ASIs. Field investigation completed by staff identified an additional 11 locations.
Projects were then ranked based on cost-benefit to water quality ratio. Landowner outreach was conducted which resulted in practice installation.
CD86: 6 ASIs
CD83 / Madison Lake: 2 waterways, 30 ASIs.
At the completion of the grant, both subwatersheds had additional projects in the process of signing up.
Approximately 986 hours of staff time were funded by the grant.
Approximately 303 hours of additional staff time on the project were funded with local or non-state funds to meet match requirements.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS