This project will focus on collecting stream water quality data. Citizen volunteers and SWCD staff will complete water quality monitoring on two targeted stream sites in the watershed and eight additional sites including prospective MPCA biological assessment sites and DNR-Fisheries priority sites. This project will expand citizen participation into the assessment of streams in the watershed which are not included in the current TMDL study and expand data collection to a wider set of parameters.
The soil and water conservation districts within the watersheds for the Redwood and Cottonwood Rivers have been putting conservation practices on the ground for years in a long-running collaborative effort.
Well-managed forests deliver the optimal quantity and quality of surface runoff and groundwater water recharge possible. This Forest Management and outreach program will help protect, preserve, and improve water quality and related water resources by hiring a Regional Clean Water Forester. The Forester will help LGUs in Technical Service Areas (TSA) 3 and 8 increase installation of water quality-related forestry practices.
The Crow Wing County (CWC) Water Plan identifies Island-Loon Lake as a priority lake to enhance due to its significant decline in water clarity and high ratio of impervious surface surrounding the lake. To mitigate the runoff, the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District will partner with the CWC HWY Department, City of Crosslake, Crosslakers, and Whitefish Area Property Owners Association to install three mechanical separators and 13,500 square feet bioretention area that will reduce six pounds of phosphorus and 1 ton of sediment per year from entering the lake.
This area of the Minnesota River Basin has been identified as contributing significant amounts of sediment to the watershed. The primary cause of the sediment is from gullies and ravines. This project by the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) continues efforts begun with FY2011 Clean Water Funds. Using data collected through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and LiDAR, GERBA will install best management practices to address severe ravines and gullies in targeted specific locations.
Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) is a largely developed area of the Twin Cities with an average impervious surface area of 34%. Faith organizations often have large impervious surface areas with little to no stormwater treatment on site. The goal of this project is to collaborate with faith organizations in high priority areas to implement stormwater volume reduction retrofit projects. High priority areas are defined as areas with limited to no stormwater treatment before reaching a water body and/or areas that drain to an impaired water.
This project will continue collaboration with faith organizations in priority areas to implement stormwater volume reduction retrofit projects. Priority areas are defined as areas with limited to no stormwater treatment before reaching a water body and/or areas that drain to an impaired or at risk water.
To hire professionals to assess and write a collections storage plan for a historically significant collection, which will allow greater public access to this resource.
A new GIS technician will help prioritize and target conservation activities and protection strategies in nine north-central Minnesota counties. The GIS technician will create GIS products, assessments, and watershed analysis to identify the high priority areas in each County or watershed in need of protection or restoration using all available data, including LiDAR, soils, land use, completed WRAPS and other datasets. These areas will then be targeted for future resource management efforts, Clean Water Fund projects, and additional conservation activities.
To increase exposure and access to arts and agricultural displays, by mounting television screens in exhibit buildings and public areas. By making fair attendees more aware of what is happening in all corners of the fair ground, McLeod County Fair plans on attracting a demographic that typically passes by the arts and agricultural exhibit buildings. Information to be broadcast includes, but is not limited to, arts demonstrations, musical performances, agricultural facts and figures, and McLeod County Fair history.
The Children's Discovery Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota will increase access and deepen engagement with their effectively proven School Service Program. The museum will take down the economic barriers and increase enrollment. This grant will fund more educators and facilitators, curriculum development, scholarship aid, transportation assistance and art/teaching supplies.
