to rehabilitate the trestles on the Soo Line Trail in Moose Lake by replacing the decking and installing new steel post guard rails and chain link fencing
The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Partnership will accelerate the restoration and protection of approximately 4,620 acres of previously drained wetlands and associated upland native grassland wildlife habitat complexes via perpetual conservation easements. The goal of the RIM-WRP Partnership is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, while optimizing wildlife habitat on every acre enrolled in the partnership.
The Reitz Lake restoration project began several years ago when water quality samples showed the lake was impaired. Carver County and residents around the lake took action and began to develop a plan (TMDL) to clean up Reitz Lake.Once the TMDL study and the associated implementation plan (which helps to target specific projects) were completed, funding was sought to target high priority projects around the Lake. First, direct untreated run-off from a farmed area of approximately 100 acres to the north of the lake will be slowed and filtered before it enters the lake.
This program focuses on the rehabilitation or replacement of existing state trail bridges, including structural engineering inspections of all trail bridges . Of the more than 300 existing bridges on State Trails, the majority are wood or masonry former railroad structures of which more than 1/3 exceed 100 years old. Starting in fiscal year 2014, future PAT reporting will not separate bridges from trails outcomes reporting, as they are part of the same system of recreational use.
This project works to reduce energy consumption and model renewable energy methods on state park, state recreation area, state forest and trail facilities. The DNR Parks and Trails Division is working to increase the use of energy conservation and renewable energy technologies.
Install fishing piers at 20 statewide locations (15 replacements and 5 new) with the goal of improving fishing opportunities especially for people with disabilities, children, elderly and those without a boat.
Renewal of existing State Trail surfaces, parking areas, and trail wayside areas, improving accessibility, enhancing user safety and implementing current best management practices. MNDNR Parks and Trails Division has a identified approximately 85 miles of existing state trail in need of rehabilitation and upgrading. This program also focuses on the rehabilitation or replacement of existing state trail bridges, including structural engineering inspections of all trail bridges .
The concrete floor in the exhibit and storage area of a former garage structure, located on the Clearwater Historical Society museum grounds, was removed and replaced. The severely deteriorated floor with an insafe step down had been barred to public access. With the floor replaced storage capacity has been increased, artifacts are more accessible, space is more usable and the building is now in compliance with ADA requirements.
A professional historian was hired and research was conducted as preparation for a concert production of "Temperance and Temptation". Historical information, music and lyrics for temperance and anti-temperance songs and compelling images were incorporated into the performances. The result was an artistic performance grounded in Minnesota history.
To broaden public access to primary historic records through a digital reader/printer and additional microfilm rolls to augment the current collection.
The language and cultural needs of the American Indian community in the Twin Cities urban area are high. Additionally, the urban area has Dakota and Ojibwe tribal members, as well as, other tribal members.
Spring Lake Park Reserve, restore prairie at Schaar's Bluff Gathering Center campus including ecological improvement of 1,500 feet of Mississippi River bluff.
At Battle Creek Regional Park, restore 200 acres of prairie and oak savanna providing additional quality habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including those of greatest conservation need (e.g. Meadow Larks, Bobolinks and other grassland birds).
Ecological restorations aim to aid the recovery of native ecosystems that have been degraded or lost. However, very seldom are restorations evaluated past the initial implementation phase to determine whether the efforts achieved their goals and the funds spent were a strategic conservation investment. Monitoring and evaluation of restorations can teach what works and what does not in order to advance restoration practices and increase the likelihood of success for future projects.
With funding from the ACHF, 20 portraits were cleaned and are now more secure with the addition of high-quality non-glare/UV filtering plexiglass. Using the original framing, each portrait was retrofitted to accommodate the new plexiglass.
State law (M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6) directs restoration evaluations to be conducted on habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Parks and Trails Fund (M.S. 85.53). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel containing at least five technical experts who will evaluate a sample of up to 10 habitat restoration projects annually. The Panel will evaluate the restorations relative to the law, current science, stated goals and standards in the restoration plans, and applicable guidelines.
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects and provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law (M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10).
Little Rock Creek is the only trout stream in the Benton and Morrison County area. The creek has supported a wild brown trout population since they were introduced into Little Rock Lake in 1908. A population assessment done in 1992, however, failed to document the presence of brown trout suggesting that population may have become critically low during the drought years of the late 1980's and early 1990's. The stream has since been listed as impaired due to the low abundance of trout and other cold water fish.
Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park, revise master plan to guide future trail development and improvements throughout park including Father Hennepin Bluffs, Nicollet Island, BF Nelson, Boom Island, and Mill Ruins.
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.
Rice Lake, in Stearns County, is an impaired water for nutrients that has a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation plan developed. Rice Lake is one of the larger lakes in the county, offering major water recreation opportunities, economic benefits as well as fish and wildlife habitat. It is a priority for Stearns County to implement projects that have positive impacts on this resource.
This project will engage the public and community partners in Rice County. The goal of this project is the implementation of conservation practices that retain water on the land by providing up to five sub-grants for rain gardens, vegetative buffers, and wetland restorations.
The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Wetlands Partnership Phase V protected and restored 2,041 acres of previously drained wetlands and adjacent native grasslands on 23 conservation easements. All easements have been recorded. $35,000 of funds from other sources were also used.
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.
Lilydale-Harriet Island Regional Park. Continued phased implementation of approved Lilydale Regional Park Master Plan elements that may include such amenities as construction of approx. 3,000 lineal feet of roadway, trail, and related facilities. Lilydale
Como Regional Park. Continue implementation of the Master Plan to include completion of Estabrook Road reconstruction and installation of Historic Lantern-style lighting from west end of the Frog Pond to intersection at Lexington Parkway.
