DNR data show that fisher in Minnesota have declined 50% since 2000. Den sites may be limiting reproduction. We will test if den boxes can help the fisher population increase.
The potential of neonicotinoid insecticides to initiate algal blooms will be tested by measuring the
occurrence of neonicotinoids and their breakdown products in Minnesota’s surface and ground waters.
Energy storage systems for farms will be developed using wind-generated ammonia. Novel ammonia fuel systems will be tested in a farm grain dryer and engine generator displacing fossil fuels.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) will complete a fish passage project on the Otter Tail River to reconnect eight miles of stream habitat and 96 acres of lake habitat for fish and other aquatic life. We will also restore four miles of stream habitat on a previously straightened portion of Stony Creek. Stream projects were selected from a statewide list, prioritized by factors such as ecological benefit, scale of impact, urgency of completion, and local support. On Aquatic Management Areas, MNDNR will enhance over 900 acres of riparian and terrestrial habitat.
Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR’s history of enhancing and restoring grasslands, embedded wetlands, and savannas to increase wildlife populations. The Prairie Plan, Pheasant Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts and ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on parcels that are permanently protected and most open to public hunting.
This program provides critical assistance to MN DNR Parks and Trails Division Regional and District offices to assist with renewal and rehabilitation efforts prioritized locally by field staff. Projects include the following types: State Park Building and Facilities Emergency Repair and Maintenance, Paved Trail Maintenance and Asset Preservation, and State Park and State Forest Trail Renewal. This project is a newly reorganized budget area that consolidates these three smaller project areas reported on in previous years.
The Drinking Water Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) program identifies environmental contaminants for which current health-based standards currently do not exist or need to be updated, investigate the potential for human exposure to these chemicals, and develop guidance values for drinking water. Contaminants evaluated by CEC staff include contaminants that have been released or detected in Minnesota waters (surface water and groundwater) or that have the potential to migrate to or be detected in Minnesota waters.
The Parks and Trails Division is creating innovative programs to attract new audiences to Minnesota state parks and trails. Skill-building programs, such as "I Can Camp!," provide a trial opportunity by eliminating the barriers of needing to have pre-existing knowledge or gear for the activity.
This research project will provide critical information regarding how to treat surface water (used by 25% of Minnesota's population) to prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease and infections by Mycobacterium avium.
The project will evaluate the effectiveness and benefits/impacts of locally sourced woodchip, corncob, and iron-bearing minerals as alternative effective abrasive materials to lower salt use for protecting Minnesotas water resources.
Camp Sunrise is an integrated environmental education program for economically disadvantaged youth. This innovative camp experience allows children a hands-on program to understand their impact on the environment and nature.
The goal of this project is to continue the development of Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) model application tools improve and expand the effective application of HSPF models. The tools involved in this work include HSPEXP+, the Scenario Application Manager (SAM), and the Water quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP).
We will implement an economically-viable, farm-based strategy to protect water quality across more than 100,000 acres of vulnerable wellhead protection regions using cover crops in corn-soybean rotation.
The DNR works with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health to determine the level of contamination from mercury and other harmful chemicals in fish from Minnesota's lakes and rivers and to track the success of efforts to reduce mercury pollution. Clean Water Legacy funding is being used to significantly increase (more than double) the number of lakes and rivers that are assessed for mercury contamination on an annual basis. Fish are collected during DNR fishery surveys, processed for laboratory testing, and analyzed for contaminants.
The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN.
This is a project to to proactively address future threats to safe drinking water. This project will incorporate findings and recommendations from the Future of Drinking Water report to assess, prioritize, and manage drinking water risks. Through this project, a voluntary statewide plan for protecting drinking water will be developed. Additional outcomes from this project include public health policies and an action plan.
The project proposes a .48 mile trail along the Otter Tail River in downtown Fergus Falls as well as a 125 ft. long bicycle and pedestrian bridge crossing the river.
Provide approximately 25 matching grants for local parks, acquisition of locally significant natural areas and trails to connect people safety to desirable community locations and regional or state facilities.
