The purpose of this project is to collect data sets of specific parameters selected by the MPCA while fostering citizen interest and participation in surface water monitoring.
This project will utilize eight surface water sites in the Redeye River Watershed to collect chemical samples and complete field analysis that will be helpful in determining the health of the streams in the watershed. The Redeye River Watershed contains three main rivers (Red Eye, Leaf, and Wing) that drain to the Crow Wing River and ultimately to the Mississippi River. Main concerns in this watershed are low dissolved oxygen levels, excess sediment, increased drainage and flow alterations, and high bacteria levels.
To offer new arts access and cultural heritage programming to both children and adults at the Wadena County Fair. Programming will include demonstrations in depression era toy making, finger knitting, bead work, leather work, growing container gardens, and a presentation on hoop dance, a Native American cultural performance.
To construct an amphitheater on the Wadena County fairgrounds. The amphitheater will be available to the community for cultural and education events sponsored by the Wadena County Agricultural Society, local community groups, schools, etc.
To hire a qualified historian to complete an evaluation to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for the Wadena Commercial District.
Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment seeks to continue a 100% cost share assistance well sealing program. County residents rely on groundwater for 100% of their drinking water. Sealing unused wells has long been a priority for the county, as they are a potential threat to health, safety, and the environment. The presence of several groundwater contamination areas only highlights the need to seal off these unused wells.
As part of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA's) watershed monitoring Approach, the Washington Conservation District will collect water quality samples on three lakes in the Lower St. Croix River Watershed in 2019-20; Comfort Lake, Square Lake, and Big Marine Lake. Rural and agricultural land uses are major components of all three lakes' subwatersheds and semi-urban land use is present in the Comfort lake subwatershed.
To increase access to a variety of performance art at the Washington County Fair. Funds will be used to showcase a miming presentations by Theatre of Fools, a Native American dance demonstration by the Little Thunderbirds, and a comedy show by author Michael Perry, who discusses today’s small town fardmand family culture.
To hire a qualified consultant to develop a Historic Structure Report that will help preserve the Washington County Historic Courthouse, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Washington County seeks to preserve the ecological integrity of the St. Croix River by completing a 85-acre permanent conservation easement to protect critical riparian habitat and over one mile of shoreland. The property is located in Denmark Township within the state-managed portion of the St. Croix Scenic Riverway and is one of the remaining large lots along the lower St. Croix River. It provides a critical connection needed to create a continuous corridor of forested bluff lands and ravines.
Brown's Creek Watershed District, City of Stillwater and Oak Glen Golf Course will work together to harvest and reuse stormwater for golf course irrigation, reducing thermal loading to Brown?s Creek, a designated trout stream listed as impaired due to high thermal and total suspended solids loading, and reduce phosphorous loading to Lake St. Croix, impaired for excess nutrients. The primary goals are to reduce phosphorous loading to Brown?s Creek and the St. Croix River/Lake St Croix by 67-124 pounds per year and thermal loading to Brown?s Creek by 0.4 degrees Celsius.
Tetra Tech will work to support the science needed when planning in Minnesota for water storage practice implementation. The goal is to provide practical water storage recommendations that can be incorporated into smaller scale planning within major watersheds (HUC 8), as well as larger scale planning for the Sediment Reduction Strategy for the Minnesota River and South Metro Mississippi River.
The Metropolitan Council was awarded $1,250,000 from Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funds for a Water Efficiency Grant Program during the Minnesota Legislature's 2021 First Special Session. The Metropolitan Council (Council) implemented a water efficiency grant program effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. Grants were awarded on a competitive basis to municipalities that are served by a municipal water system. The Council provides 80% of the program cost; the municipality must provide the remaining 20%.
This program supports communities as they plan and implement projects that address emerging drinking water supply threats. It supports the exploration cost-effective regional and sub-regional solutions, leverages inter-jurisdictional coordination, and prevents overuse and degradation of groundwater resources.
Vermilion Community College will assist the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) with meeting the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) development objectives of collecting data and completing watershed assessments for the Rainy River Headwaters, Vermilion River, and Little Fork River watersheds. Services will include providing support for field water monitoring, other field sampling and measurements and related field data management, analysis, and assessments in these watersheds.
To contract with qualified professionals to prepare construction documents for the preservation of Wayzata Section House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
This proposal will fund technical assistance for nutrient management planning to accelerate water quality improvements with the 12-county West Central Technical Service Area (WCTSA). A needs assessment identified an estimated 156 certified nutrient management plans that will be needed over a 3 year period. Of the 71 SWCD employees in the WCTSA, only 1 SWCD staff member is dedicated to nutrient management planning. To meet technical assistance needs, this grant will fund a Regional Planning Specialist (RPS) to address local resource concerns.
The West Central Technical Service Area (WCTSA) serves 12 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in west central Minnesota and has been experiencing increased workload due to greater requests from member SWCDs. This funding will sustain a limited-term technician and purchase related support equipment to assist landowners in implementing targeted, high priority practices that result in the greatest water quality outcomes.
This project will educate and assist landowners to seal unused wells by providing cost-share funds of 50% up to $1,000 per well located in highly vulnerable groundwater areas in 10 southeast Minnesota counties. Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water and due to the karst geology in SE MN groundwater is more vulnerable to contamination.
To hire a qualified historian to complete an evaluation to determine eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places for the 1925 Wesley Hospital Building, Wadena, MN.
A large amount of effort has gone in to identifying phosphorous loading and other nutrient sources in West Washington County. Installing stormwater retrofit projects at local church campuses represents a major opportunity for water quality improvement. In partnership, three watershed organizations will install conservation practices, targeting impervious surfaces on the campuses. This project will provide funding to install raingardens, pervious pavement and rainwater harvesting methods to capture and improve water quality to downstream water resources.
Phase 3 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program, will result in the protection of 646 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota’s Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection.
Phase 6 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will result in the protection of 1,213 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative market-based landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection.
Fourteen conservation easements were completed by this program resulting in the protection of 1,962 acres of high quality wetland and associated upland habitat complexes and 78,596 feet (approximately 15 miles) of shoreland along priority lakes and rivers in west-central Minnesota. This program exceeded by 862 acres the amount proposed for the grant. Total leverage through donated easements by landowners is estimated at $1,209,700, all in excess of that proposed.
The DNR is directed by Minnesota Law 2016, Chapter 172, Article 2, Section 12 to request proposals for a potential design-build project to augment White Bear Lake with water from East Vadnais Lake.
Twenty six easements protecting 1,173.3 were recorded which exceeded the original proposal by 173 acres (15%). 11.6 miles of shoreline were protected which exceeded the 8 acre goal by 30%. Total expenditure was $1,355,000 which was 17% lower than originally budgeted. No fee-title land acquisition opportunities on wild rice lakes that fit within DNR and other government agency land plans were available during this time period thus DU did not expend any of the $100,000 budgeted for fee-title acquisition. Instead the program focused on RIM easements.
This Phase III continuation of the Wild Rice Shoreland Protection project acquired 98 acres for Yaeger Lake Wildlife Management Area (total acquisition was 285 acres but a portion was funded with other LSOHC money, only the portion funded with this grant is reported here) and 14 RIM easements protecting 600 acres for a total of 698 acres of wild rice shoreland habitat in the Northern Forest Section. This exceeded this Phases overall goal by acres for RIM.
