Monitoring the health of Minnesota rivers is vital in determining, maintaining, and improving the health of the rivers for the environment and public use. The scope of this project is to collect surface water chemistry samples at designated sampling locations during appropriate time periods and at appropriate frequencies during these time periods for 1 year beginning in February 2015. The data collected and submitted to MPCA will provide information necessary to determine stream characteristics and calculate water quality pollutant loads.
The Lower St. Croix Watershed (LSCW) consists of an abundance of natural resources making it conducive for both agricultural production and urban areas. The watershed also contains various geologic features rendering substantial areas of the watershed to have vulnerable groundwater including DWSMA vulnerability, pollution sensitivity to wells, pollution sensitivity to near surface materials, karst features, and well testing show ? 5 mg/L nitrate.
Coon Creek WD will complete comprehensive subwatershed plans for at least three subwatersheds (Ditch 37, Ditch 39, Ditch 60) to identify and model water quality improvement projects to meet specific, measurable pollutant reduction goals. These subwatersheds drain to Coon and Sand Creeks which are impaired for Aquatic Life and Recreation and have pollutant reduction goals for TSS, TP, and E. coli.
This project will install urban stormwater and shoreline stabilization practices in the Sunrise River watershed. The grant includes funds for technical/engineering time associated with these projects and grant administration.
This grant will install urban stormwater practices, agricultural practices, shoreline stabilizations, and wetland restorations in the Rum River watershed. It will also include technical/engineering to support those projects and other projects anticipated to be installed with future grant funds. The grant will produce enhanced street sweeping studies to determine altered sweeping location, timing and frequency to benefit water quality. Finally, the grant will include outreach/education to advance water quality practices and behaviors.
The Rum River Watershed Partnership will implement Priority Level A and B Actions. While not explicitly called out, actions that obtain multiple benefits to other Level B and C priority issues, such as Natural Resources?Protection, Management, and Restoration of Upland Habitat, a Level B issue, will be given priority. The work plan targets Tier 1-3 waters identified in the CWMP.
GCST 1970 is a 4-credit program for college & high school students in partnership with the YMCA & Three Rivers Park District to learn about their cultural heritage & connection to the land. This collaboration brings under-represented students to a wilderness camp to engage in nature, environmental justice and issues of equity, access, and inclusion in outdoor spaces. Students participate in 5 days of immersive learning in and from nature, from each other, & from local tribal elders and artists.
