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.
The Lower Minnesota River East Watershed Partnership would like to request our first round of WBIF funding. The Funding request is for FY'24 and FY'25, but will be incorporated into the FY'24-FY'26 Workplan.
Funding provided through this appropriation enhanced 5,024 acres of wetland habitat. Eight wetland and shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,643 acres of wetland. Cattail spraying using a helicopter outfitted with an OHF-purchased spray unit and impacted impacted 1,762 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,619 acres of wetland. Finally, survey and design work was initiated on four projects to prepare for future construction.
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.
This program uses a multi-programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement for lakes, trout streams, and rivers across Minnesota. We propose to: i) protect 7.8 miles of shoreline on lakes, rivers and trout streams; ii) effect structural repairs to 2 lake outlet control structures that will integrate fish passage; iii) restore and enhance river and stream functions that will benefit over 50.5 river miles; and iv) enhance 1.4 miles of shoreline habitat on publicly-owned lakeshore.
We protected 22.3 miles of trout streams and 1.3 miles of lakeshore via easements (585 acres in total), and 7.4 miles (504 acres) of lakeshore through fee-title purchase. We enhanced shoreline habitat on 524 acres of riparian land, and instream habitat on 3.1 miles of trout streams and 0.5 miles of warmwater rivers.
We propose restoration and enhancement of prairie and savanna on WMA’s, SNA’s, and Native Prairie Banks in Minnesota and restoration and enhancement of bluff prairies on State Forest Land in southeast Minnesota.
