This project will support the inaugural season of the Culture Workers Collaborative (CWC), a cohort program for Minnesota culture bearers seeking to lead their communities in amplifying cultural heritage, building identity, and increasing cultural self-determination. Over the course of the program, culture bearers will 1) participate in 15 monthly professional development sessions; 2) carry out a series of 31 culturally diverse humanities activities that empower their communities in building identity and culture.
The proposed alum treatment will reduce internal phosphorus loading by 527 lb/yr and ensure Forest Lake remains below the state standard of 40 ?g/L summer average phosphorus concentration. Forest Lake is not listed as impaired for nutrients, but summertime phosphorus readings occasionally exceed state standards, meaning this lake is at great risk of becoming impaired. CLFLWD sets its own goal for Forest Lake to achieve and maintain a summertime average phosphorus concentration of 30 ?g/L (i.e., even lower than the state standard).
The focus of this project will be on protection efforts to maintain or improve the water quality of Forest Lake by reducing phosphorus loads to the lake, especially from storm water. The two main objectives of this project are to compile and make minor updates to a large body of diagnostic work that already exists for Forest Lake, and to develop a comprehensive, site-specific implementation plan for best management practices (BMPs).
This project will develop an enhanced street sweeping plan for the City of Forest Lake that optimizes phosphorus removal from increasing sweeping frequency with the cost of additional sweeps. In addition, this project will identify road-specific street sweeping timing and frequency, quantify expected phosphorus load reductions, itemize costs of enhanced street sweeping, and recommend funding options to the City of Forest Lake.
Forest Lake Area Schools, the Rice Creek Watershed District and the City of Forest Lake have partnered to develop the first phase of a long-term stormwater reuse and education program starting. This project will result in stormwater pond retrofits and construction of new irrigation infrastructure to reduce potable groundwater usage by over 4 million gallons per year. Further, educational curriculum will be developed to integrate the reuse technology and water conservation concepts. Clear Lake is an important regional resource and boasts a very active lake association.
Forest Lake is one of the top recreational lakes in the metro area with a diverse and healthy fishery along with thee public accesses. The water quality of Forest Lake also impacts downstream waters, particularly Comfort Lake, the Sunrise River, and ultimately Lake St. Croix. A water quality study was completed for Forest Lake identifying nutrient reduction goals to meet state water quality standards for all three basins of Forest Lake along with the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District's (CLFLWD) long term goal water quality goals for the lake.
This project will build the first comprehensive list of Minnesota moths and butterflies. Information gained through surveys and outreach efforts will inform land managers and inspire public appreciation.
Le Sueur County has completed water quality assessments of its lakes, which are on the impaired waters list for excess nutrients. The Francis Rays Sakatah Tetonka Lakes Septic Inventory project will complete up to 400 shoreland septic compliance inspections, create an ArcMap GIS layer, create community assessment reports on priority areas and provide education and outreach to the public through informational meetings and website development. The project will also jump-start upgrading non-compliant septic systems.
BWSR will administer funding to eligible County projects that provide funds and other assistance to low income property owners to upgrade or replace Noncompliant Septic Systems. BWSR will also manage annual reporting completed by each County.
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.
The Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) is a joint powers organization consisting of ten member Counties and SWCDs encompassing the Blue Earth, Le Sueur and Watonwan Watersheds. Our mission is to lead in the implementation and promotion of economically viable watershed activities through the combined efforts of local partners. We have identified two target areas in the GBERB (Greater Blue Earth River Basin) where high levels of nitrates directly affect public water supply.
To hire a qualified architect to conduct a condition assessment of the circa 1870 Geldner Saw Mill, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
