Vulnerable Non-Community Public Water Supply Protection In Mississippi Outwash Plains Using Cover Crops
This proposal seeks to prevent nitrate contamination in and around vulnerable Non-Community (Transient and Non-Transient) Public Water Supplies within the sandy outwash plains of the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota. Within the work area we have identified 221 public (non-municipal) water supplies in this area which include places of worship, restaurants, office spaces, bars, daycares and campgrounds within the Morrison and Benton County work area. This area is known by the MDA to have sensitive soils which are used for irrigated crop production, primarily potatoes, corn, beans and specialty crops.
http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/board
http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/board
Annie Felix-Gerth
(p) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year are for grants to farmers who own or rent land to enhance adoption of cover crops and other soil health practices in areas where there are direct benefits to public water supplies. Up to $400,000 is for an agreement with the University of Minnesota Office for Soil Health for applied research and education on Minnesota's agroecosystems and soil health management systems.
The goal is to maintain and possibly improve the risk of some of the 221 vulnerable public water supplies in this area from nitrate contamination by implementing 1250 acres of cover crop each year for three years.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS