The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) will create a web-based, mobile-compatible public drainage system inspection and maintenance database. This database system will enable District staff to create and track maintenance requests and inspections from the field, including Geo-referencing locations requiring repair via a mobile device. The system will greatly reduce the time required to identify and log each maintenance request, enabling staff to inventory more miles of public drainage system yearly thereby identifying erosion problems more efficiently and thoroughly.
This project will complete the final Implementation Plan, semi-annual and final reports and hold project meetings. The Implementation Plan will identify target areas and priorities for implementation strategies to improve water quality for Bluff Creek. This project will build the groundwork so Bluff Creek will meet water quality standards for aquatic life in the future.
This continuation of the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve buffers program will protect and restore riparian areas, permanently protecting approximately 600 acres on 17 easements. This program will continue utilizing a science-based ranking and selection process and be implemented locally, working with Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff in targeted areas in the state. Historically, buffer funding was used to expand basic water quality buffers into larger buffers.
This program is a part of a comprehensive clean water strategy to prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; protect groundwater and wetlands. Specifically the Riparian Buffer Easement Program targets creating buffers on riparian lands adjacent to public waters, except wetlands. Through the Reinvest in Minnesota Program (RIM) and in partnership with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and private landowners, permanent conservation easements are purchased and buffers established.
We propose identifying hot spots of groundwater chloride pollution of surface waters due to excessive road salt use, which is a long term source increasing chloride impairment of surface waters.
This goal of this project is improving water quality and expanding critical wildlife habitat by permanently restoring and enhancing wetlands in the Sand Creek and Prior/Spring Lake Watersheds. By making sign-up payments available through this grant, this project will restore or enhance 400 to 500 acres of wetlands moderating flows and improving water quality. The NRCS has committed $2.5 million through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP), the Scott WMO $314,000, the PLSLWD $145,000, Rice SWCD $40,000, Le Sueur SWCD $40,000, and the Scott SWCD $75,000.
Calcareous fens such as the Savage Fen are fragile ecosystems existing only under a unique combination of soil type, hydrology, chemistry, and vegetation. The City of Savage is continuing efforts to protect this important ecosystem through this project. Two large ravines -Dakota Avenue and McColl's Bluff - discharge to the Fen, which was granted special status under the State's Wetlands Conservation Act. Both ravines are highly eroded and carry a significant amount of stormwater and sediment to the Savage Fen.
The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (District) has determined that large impervious sites (like churches, commercial sites, and schools) are more economical for stormwater management retrofit projects than distributed small projects along roadways. Analysis of the watershed land use indicates that large impervious sites are typically commercial properties (primarily retail), churches, and schools. The District began assessing church sites for retrofit opportunities in 2013 and will continue this effort in 2014.
Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) strategic acquisition (~85 acres) will conserve Minnesota's most unique places and rare species for everyone's benefit.
To begin the process of significantly enhancing access to the free arts and cultural programming at the Scott County Fair. A new sound and lights system for the stage will improve the audience experience during arts and cultural shows, and performer and audience feedback will help guide the fair as they design a new stage area for future years.
To complete the state’s only mobile oral history recording studio. The Scott County Agricultural Society will completed the road-worthy customized trailer to make it a sound-proof, climate-controlled recording studio.
This project will provide lake and stream monitoring assistance to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), identifying impaired waters within the Lower Minnesota RIver Watershed (Watershed ID: 07020012) according to the Intensive Watershed Monitoring (IWM) Approach.
This project, SEA Us Write & Design Fellowship, is an arts and cultural education program aimed at helping lower-income Minnesota Southeast Asian youth aged 16-18 develop as writers and artists. The program will provide creative writing classes and internships during summer breaks and after school, offering inclusive spaces and culturally relevant activities. Participants will have the opportunity to express themselves, develop leadership skills, and foster relationships with peers and positive adult mentors.
Approximately 70 percent of all Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. Wells used for drinking water must be properly sealed when removed from service to protect both public health and Minnesota’s invaluable groundwater resources. The Minnesota Department of Health protects both public health and groundwater by assuring the proper sealing of unused wells.
Clean Water funds are being provided to well owners as a 50% cost-share assistance for sealing unused public water-supply wells.
This education project will continue building the next generation of conservationists in Minnesota by engaging youths and adults in science and outdoor learning through radio, podcasts, newsletters and schoolyard exploration.
Due to the significant increase of Veterans participation at the campground, Last year we had over 35,000 visitors, there is a major concern for the safety and security of all of the visitors on the camp. Installing a maintenance free vinyl fence, along the road coming into the camp, along with two barrier arms at the entry point by the camp office would insure controlled access to the camp.
Objective 1: Software Development i. Activity 1.1: Create a Dakota language app ii. Activity 1.2: Create a keyboard for phones and computers Objective 2: Meet with Language Consultant(s) i. Activity 2.1: Lessons with an elder/language speaker ii. Activity 2.2: Consultation with an elder Objective 3: Curriculum Development i. Activity 3.1: Meet with developers ii. Activity 3.2: Create a language textbook
The weather station portion of the project is to increase the accuracy of weather and road condition data to further refine the Chloride Use/treatment of Shakopee roads. Real-time information from a RWIS station can be used to adjust application settings. Approximately 39 tons (78,000) pounds of salt are used in each event. The city averages 30 events each winter. The City of Eden Prairie has similar weather stations and estimates a 5%-10% reduction in salt use.
Funding through this appropriation enhanced 4,745 acres of wetland habitat. Four wetland/shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,020 acres and and another project restored 50 acres. Wetland management actions (wild rice seeding, a significant drawdown, and a major large prescribed burn) enhanced 1,997 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,678 wetland acres through work on prescribed burns, drawdowns, herbicide applications, and removal of woody vegetation.
Forest Lake is one of the top recreational lakes in the metro area and protecting its water quality is a top priority for the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District. While not currently on the impaired waters list, the water quality of Forest Lake is very near the water quality standard. Shields Lake has been identified as the single largest pollutant contributor to Forest Lake. This project proposes to impound water from a tributary to Shields Lake for golf course irrigation reuse, reducing watershed phosphorus loads to Shields Lake.
State leadership for the 4-H Shooting Sports & Wildlife Program, including staff and 4-H volunteer committee members, will provide a menu of equipment options for local programs to choose from as a means to build their Shooting Sports & Wildlife project. Local programs will submit a grant application justifying how the new equipment will help them build and grow their program, attract and engage new audiences, and provide sustainability in their local chapter.
The St. Croix River is one of the most pristine, large river ecosystems remaining in the upper Mississippi River System. Washington County, in partnership with the City of Stillwater, is using this appropriation to acquire 15 acres containing 3,500 feet of St. Croix River shoreline just north of downtown Stillwater and parallel to the Brown’s Creek State Trail. The land will be turned into a local nature park for trail users, river users, tourists, and area residents with passive recreation including fishing, boat launching, walking, and picnicking.
This project, entitled Sing Again, aims to preserve Somali lullabies, originally passed generation to generation through oral tradition, by transcribing them in children's lullaby book and creating website for resource-sharing and archival so that future generations of children can use them.
