Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are found in surface waters in Minnesota and nationally. CECs can cause adverse ecological and human health impacts, and occur as complex mixtures in the environment. One of the greatest barriers to addressing the problem of CECs is a lack of understanding of where these compounds come from and which sources dominate in different locations and at different times.
The Metro Big Rivers (MBR) partners successfully completed their work with the Phase 7 / ML2016 OHF appropriation. MBR exceeded original acreage goals by 14% and completed work on a total of 1,199 acres. Partners protected 145 acres through fee title acquisition and 194 acres through permanent conservation easement, restored 241 acres and enhanced 619 acres.
MBR 7 expended 99% of the OHF funds granted and leveraged the grant by 49% with almost $2 million in other funds.
Goose, East and West Rush Lakes are not meeting state water quality standards due to excessive phosphorus. These are three of the worst lakes in Chisago County in terms of water quality, yet also some of the most heavily used lakes for recreation. The quality of the water in the St. Croix River is directly influenced by the poor quality water leaving East Rush, West Rush, and Goose Lakes.
Mine stockpiles are unproductive due to soil deficiencies of organic matter, nutrients, and soil organisms, which are essential to supporting healthy plant growth, diversity, and succession. Waste products, including biosolids, composts, and dredged materials, have the potential to be used to address some of these deficiencies and make the lands productive again.
Septic tank systems aim to treat sewage generated by homes and facilities that do not have access to centralized wastewater treatment plants. Currently 25% of the U.S. population relies on these systems as their primary means of wastewater treatment. However, the treatment capabilities of these systems are limited and so byproducts can contribute to degradation of water resources and other environmental problems and the systems emit instead of collect powerful greenhouse gases such as methane.
To provide professional development for two staff members at the national American Association for State and Local History Conference in St. Paul, September 17-20, 2014.
To hire a qualified professional to research the effect of changing technologies on Chaska residents, preparatory to designing and installing an exhibit.
This project will work to address the nutrient impairment of Two Rivers Lake through the installation of targeted best management practices as prioritized in the Two Rivers Lake Targeted Conservation Practice Plan (funded through a 2014 SEDLCP CWF Grant). The goal of this project is to implement erosion control practices within three agricultural priority subwatersheds with existing erosion concerns and also to install urban water quality practices in two of the identified sub watersheds within the City of Albany.
The DRAFT Clearwater River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) identifies the Lower Clearwater Planning Region as having a current sediment loading from overland sources of 18,491 tons/year at the planning region outlet. The 10-year Plan goal is to reduce loading to the outlet by 4% (767 tons/year). The targeted implementation schedule includes structural agricultural practices with a 10-year measurable outcome of 1,271 tons/year (catchment outlet) to meet the 10-year Plan goal.
To hire a qualified and experienced historian to prepare a Cultural Landscape Report that will guide future preservation projects on the grounds of the Grant County Courthouse, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Ducks Unlimited spent 98% of this ML2018 OHF appropriation and completed the fee-title purchase of four land parcels totaling 607 acres for MNDNR, exceeding our 550-acre grant goals as follows: 233-acre Steinke Tract on the north side of 5,000-acre Marsh Lake on Lac Qui Parle WMA in Big Stone County; 64-acre Erickson Tract on Whitefield WMA in Kandiyohi County; 151-acre Kramer/Tenhassen Farms Tract on Seymour Lake WMA in Martin County; and 159-acre Stoderl Tract to create the new Stoderl Slough WMA in Murray County.
To write and design a site guide for improved public access to the Minnesota Governor's Residence, which is the Horace Irvine House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
This proposal will accomplish shallow lake and wetland habitat work that will otherwise go unfunded. This work is called for in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, Long Range Duck Recovery Plan, and Shallow Lakes plan.
Acquisition of Columbus Lake Conservation Area will protect 258 acres of quality habitat for game and waterfowl hunters, creating a wildlife corridor connecting Lamprey Pass WMA to other protected habitat.
To produce a short video introduction about the history, architecture, and use of the Horace Irvine House (Minnesota Governor's Residence), listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
To prepare condition report and treatment proposal for murals in the Grant County Courthouse, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.