Several streams within the Duluth metropolitan area are identified as impaired and are included on Minnesota’s Impaired Waters List, with impairments to Aquatic Recreation, due to levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies have been completed (draft) for these impairments, including Keene Creek and Tischer Creek. The goal of this project is for the City of Duluth to provide the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) with information on the sources of E.
This project continues the total maximum daily load (TMDL) and watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) process for the Duluth Metropolitan Area (DMA). The DMA is defined by water, sitting at the juncture of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Estuary, and surrounded by semi-mountainous terrain. The project serves as a bridge into the next phase of restoration and protection identified by the Duluth Urban Stream TMDLs and WRAPS. In the first phase of community engagement, a collaborating organization was formed to define a framework for the DMA communities.
This project will respond to public notice comments received after a 2nd comment opportunity and several requests for changes to the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report and petition for contested case hearings (CCH). Additional review work must be completed and if necessary, edits or updates to the TMDL and Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) reports. If there are substantial changes to both documents another public noticing will be necessary.
Native Prairie Bank will help landowners conserve native prairie though outreach to 10,000 landowners and practitioners, restoration and enhancement of 870 acres, and protection of 600 acres through conservation easements.
Minnesota's twelve regional library systems, which encompass more than 350 public libraries in all areas of the state, can benefit from a portion of the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Through State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, each regional library system is eligible to receive a formula-driven allocation from the annual $2.5 million Minnesota Regional Library System Legacy Grant. East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is a consolidated regional public library system in east central Minnesota.
The Parks and Trails Division is creating innovative programs to attract new audiences to Minnesota state parks and trails. Skill-building programs, such as "I Can Camp!," provide a trial opportunity by eliminating the barriers of needing to have pre-existing knowledge or gear for the activity.
This program enhanced 10,583 and restored 198 acres for a total impact of 10,781 acres by restoring wetlands, removing invasive trees, seeding prairies, prescribed burning, and installing infrastructure for conservation grazing. These practices took place on Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's), and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) in the prairie, metro and the forest/prairie transition regions of Minnesota. We exceeded our acre goals in every category, brought $45,768.51 in match funds, and are returning $833.50 in funds.
Evaluate routing, safety, water management and other environmental and design issues of the Superior Hiking Trail and establish SHTA best practices methods for carrying out the resulting redesign plans.
