Rice Creek WD proposes completion of three projects during this WBIF cycle: 1) Clearwater Creek Stabilization Scoping: The portion of the Main Trunk of Anoka Washington Judicial Ditch 3 (AWJD3, also known as Clearwater Creek) downstream of I-35E has a steep grade with heavily scoured and sloughing banks due to high peak flows and channel velocities and unstable sandy soils.
Implementation of Vadnais Lake Area WMO (VLAWMO)'s existing Landscape Level 2 Grant Program to install at least 1 BMP project between 2023-2025 to make progress on water quality impairments within four priority subwatersheds: Lambert Creek, Goose, Birch, and Gilfillan-Tamarack-Black-Wilkinson-Amelia. Eligible BMPs include project types identified in the Board-approved Landscape Level 2 Grant Policy. The anticipated outcome is a reduction in phosphorus by at least 0.3 pounds annually. This activity will also result in strengthened partnerships with Vadnais Lake Area WPA communities.
Installation of approximately 8 curb-cut rain gardens in St. Paul right-of-way to reduce phosphorus loads by approximately 1.2 pounds annually. Adjacent property owners will be engaged throughout the process and will be responsible for long-term maintenance. Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation Division will be completing designs which will be approved by City of St. Paul. Approximately six of these gardens will be installed in high priority areas as defined in CRWD's 2021-2030 Watershed Management Plan.
The Lower St. Croix (LSC) Partnership will implement projects and practices in order to achieve a cumulative phosphorus reduction of 381 lb/yr to priority waterbodies identified in Table 5-2 and Table 5-3 of the LSC Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (CWMP). It will also implement practices in order to protect groundwater, particularly in areas identified in CWMP Figure 5-1 Vulnerable Groundwater in Agricultural Areas. Projects and practices will include structural agricultural BMPs, structural urban BMPs, non-structural ag and urban BMPs, and wetland restorations.
Many Faces of the White Bear Lake Area, a collaboration of 21 organizations, will sponsor a Powwow in spring 2023 to (1) honor American Indian students in the school districts of Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, Northeast Metro 916 Integration District, and Century College, particularly those who will be graduating, and (2) provide the larger community the opportunity to participate in this traditional cultural event that is a significant part of the rich heritage of our Native American neighbors.
Provide contract management to ENRTF pass-through appropriation recipients for approximately 115 open grants. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved work plans.
Como Apprentice Program is an education program that supports students looking to gain professional experience and learn more about the plants and animals. The program structure is the student is offered a 2 year paid internship through the City's RightTrack program and the apprentice support and education is supported through this EdZooCation program that includes career development education classes, workshops and training.
This proposal accelerates the protection and restoration of 792 acres of strategic prairie grasslands, associated wetlands and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be permanently protecting strategic parcels within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions. These acquired properties will be restored to the highest quality wildlife habitat feasible and transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included into the WMA system.
This project will fully fund three Nonpoint Engineering Assistance (NPEA) Joint Powers Board positions in cooperation with the NPEA Base Funding anticipated at $130,000 per year. This will allow a 2nd Professional Engineer to be retained in addition to a Lead Engineer and Technician. This 'accelerated' engineering previously was funded with BWSR Challenge Grants, and an EPA319 grant with corresponding BWSR CWF Matching Grant to handle the high workload associated with the large number of BWSR feedlot cost-share projects approved in South East Minnesota.
This project will extend two Feedlot Technical positions initially created and funded by a FY2011 CWF Feedlot Water Quality Grant that assess and help fix animal waste runoff from small feedlots. The technicians will work with and under the Technical Authority and priorities of the South East Soil and Water Conservation District Tech Support JPB lead Engineer. This project will enable more projects to be constructed resulting in a reduction of nitrogen, phosphorus and fecal coliform runoff into surface and ground water in South East Minnesota and the Mississippi River.
This is the twelfth phase to accelerate the protection and restoration of 540 acres of strategic prairie grasslands, associated wetlands and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be permanently protecting strategic parcels within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions which will be restored and transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included as a WMA.
Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will cooperate to permanently restore and conserve approximately 800 acres of grassland and 400 acres of wetland as Waterfowl Production Areas in western and southern Minnesota. All lands acquired through this grant proposal will be owned and managed by the Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
