Coordinating with Partner's - A Parks and Trails Strategic Objective is a program area representing DNR's commitment to one of the four pillars identified in the 25 year Legacy plan. The Legacy plan identifies its purpose to enhance coordination across the large and complex network of public, private, and non-profit partners that support Minnesota's parks and trails to ensure seamless, enjoyable park and trail experiences for Minnesotans.
Cornerstone Academy, the preservation education partnership of the Preservation Alliance and MNHS, launched in 2014. The statewide preservation education program has developed a training series for homeowners, community members, and professionals in fields that frequently interact with historic buildings and districts. Last year, hundreds of property owners across the state participated in more than 40 workshops. Courses included Understanding Historic Tax Credits, Handyman Special, Repairing Old Windows, and Why Old is Green: Sustainability in Older Homes.
Crow Wing County, in cooperation with the municipalities within the County, plans to continue its successful well sealing program that pays 50% of the cost to seal unused/abandoned wells up to a maximum of $1000 per well. The amount of funding requested is $31,000 which is estimated to allow for the sealing of 80-100 wells. From 2012 to 2015, Crow Wing County sealed 65 wells as part of an earlier MDH well sealing grant from the Clean Water Fund. Priority will be given to wells located in or near existing wellhead protection areas.
The Cottageville Park Water Quality Protection and Stream Restoration Project was developed to meet the goals of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the City of Hopkins, including; water resource management, channel stabilization, stream enhancement, riparian corridor improvements, open space creation, park development, and revitalization. The project achieves these goals through implementation of the following:
The Minnesota County Geologic Atlas program is an ongoing effort begun in 1979 that is being conducted jointly by the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Geological Survey and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This portion, called Part A and conducted by the Minnesota Geological Survey, collects geologic information to produce maps and databases that define aquifer boundaries and the connection of aquifers to the land surface and surface water resources.
The Minnesota County Geologic Atlas program is an ongoing effort begun in 1979 that is being conducted jointly by the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Geological Survey and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This portion, called Part B and conducted by the DNR, analyzes water samples to understand water chemistry and sensitivity to pollution.
The County Well Index (CWI) contains well and boring records wells within Minnesota; over 400,000 records. It is the principal source of well construction information and geologic interpretations of well records and also contains soil boring records, mineral exploration test hole records, and scientific/research test hole records.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) offers grants to counties for Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) program administration and special projects to improve SSTS compliance rates, and assistance for low-income homeowners with needed SSTS upgrades. The MPCA will determine grant allocations based on applications review; funds will flow to counties through the Board of Water and Soil Resources' Natural Resources Block Grants.
The DNR works with the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) to convey valuable geologic and groundwater information and interpretations to government units at all levels, but particularly to local governments, private organizations and citizens. The MGS focuses on geology (Part A reports) and DNR focuses on groundwater (Part B reports). These provide useful information for projects completed by community planners, industry, agriculture, citizens and state agencies related to groundwater.
In this ongoing project, four additional Minnesota Historical Society historic sites improved their service to 21st century learners and their teachers and parents. Fourteen sites revamped their field trip programs and developed online resources requested by teachers and parents in earlier research. The project team launched a standard evaluation tool across historic sites and museums to measure field trip outcomes for students and teachers, including the development of 21st century skills.
Seven conservation easements were completed by this program resulting in the protection of 911 acres of high quality wildlife habitat and 28,181 feet (approximately 5.38 miles) of critical shoreline along priority lakes and rivers of northeast Minnesota. This project outcome exceeded by 211 acres that proposed for the grant. Total leverage through donated easements by landowners is estimated at $948,500, all in excess of proposed.
Through this grant, the Minnesota Land Trust protected 641 acres and 39,415 feet (7.46 miles) of critical shoreland and high-quality wildlife habitats in Minnesota’s Northeast region through permanent conservation easements. Landowners donated $2,100,500 in easement value through this grant, greatly leveraging by 131% the $1,609,000 in grant funding provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The amount of shoreland protected exceeded that proposed for the grant by 299%.
In 2011, the Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) received a Clean Water Fund (CWF) grant to inventory active gully erosion sites along the St. Croix River from the Wild River State Park entrance south to the Chisago/Washington county line. This inventory is now being used to contact landowners with active and severe gully erosion to begin the process of developing a plan correct the problems using Best Management Practices (BMPs). In 2012, the SWCD was awarded a CWF grant to begin implementation.
The project goal is to conduct water chemistry monitoring at five subwatershed sites and two basin sites annually from 2016-2019, based on flow conditions, targeting runoff events using protocols defined in the Watershed Pollutant Load Monitoring Network (WPLMN) Standard Operating Procedures and Guidance. The data collected will be submitted to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and used in the FLUX32 model for calculating pollutant loads.
The project will include lake monitoring on seventeen lakes found in the Mississippi River - Brainerd watershed in East Central Crow Wing County (CWC). The project will be conducted in an effort to gain data on these data-deficient lakes. One of the goals of the CWC Local Comprehensive Water Plan (CWP) is to establish a countywide Comprehensive Monitoring Plan (CMP). Surface water assessment monitoring will enable state 303(d) and 305(b) assessments and provide a better understanding of these lakes.
The Wright Soil and Water Conservation District (Wright SWCD) has partnered with the Crow River Organization of Waters (CROW), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Wright County Planning and Zoning on this bacterial impairment reduction project to bring feedlot operations into compliance in the targeted North Fork Crow River (NFCR) impaired Unnamed Creek watershed. An analysis of the NFCR TMDL for Bacteria, Nutrients, and Turbidity was done to determine the area to be prioritized for further review of livestock operations in order to reduce the E.
In the battle to make real progress in sediment reduction to Turtle Creek, buffer strips are on the defensive front lines, holding the land at its most critical point. Grass strips along waterways have long provided a catchment area for agricultural field runoff. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has developed guidance and performance standards that utilize the maximum amount of benefit when installed through that program. In recent years, the Turtle Creek Watershed residents have faced a difficult decision over whether or not to incorporate grass buffers on their farms.
The purpose of this project is to reduce phosphorus loading to Crystal Lake transported primarily through County Ditch 56. Crystal Lake is listed on MPCA's 303d listing for phosphorus impairment. Increased phosphorus levels have caused toxic algal blooms, reducing its appeal to recreationalists and economic draw for the City of Lake Crystal. This project will directly address phosphorus sources from agricultural land.
Continue Implementation of adopted Master Plan to include a splash pad (small artistic interactive water feature with year-round interest.) Indian Mounds hosts approximately 344,000 visits annually, including 13% of both African Americans and Asians, and 3% Native Americans.
-Strengthen community capacity to revitalization Dakota language in MN
-Nurture language skills of 15 Dakota language leaders
-Create safe and secure Dakota-speaking community-based working environment that actively engages 10 beginning to fluent speakers
-Grow speaking and teaching skills for 8 intermediate Dakota language learners
During this grant time frame, Dakota County was able to protect habitat through acquisition of seven parcels, totaling 409 acres. The fee title ownership of three of the parcels, totaling 197 acres, was transferred to the Minnesota DNR as part of establishing the new Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area in Hampton and Castle Rock townships.
This mobile tour offers intriguing stories and reflections about historic sites along the Minnesota River Valley, the people who lived there and the lasting impact of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The tour can be accessed by calling 888-601-3010 from any location. A travel guide that includes a map of the mobile tour can be downloaded at www.usdakotawar.org/mobiletour. In FYs14 and 15, improvements were made to the media-rich smartphone version, tour wayfinding was enhanced and additional promotion occurred..
Partner: Dakota Eastman Productions.
"Ohiyesa: The Soul of an Indian" is a documentary that follows Kate Beane, a young Dakota woman, as she walks in the footsteps of her celebrated relative Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa) to examine his extraordinary life. Biography and journey come together as Kate uncovers the remarkable life of Ohiyesa/Charles Eastman from traditional Dakota boyhood, through education at Dartmouth College, and in later roles as physician, author, lecturer, and Native American advocate.
This mobile tour offers intriguing stories and reflections about historic sites along the Minnesota River Valley, the people who lived there and the lasting impact of the U.S. Dakota War of 1862.
At Central Mississippi Regional Park, implement the master plan including design, engineering, and construction of trails, pedestrian/bicycle/vehicle circulation, landscaping improvements, ramps, stairs, and walls, buildings, stormwater management, historic resources, neighborhood connections, and natural habitat restoration.
Bruce Vento Regional Trail. Design development plans for trail development and connection, storm water management improvements and site amenities on trail from Buerkle Road to Hwy 96.
Bald Eagle Otter Lakes Regional Park. Design and construct an early learning center at Tamarack Nature Center, and pedestrian connections, landscape restoration, signage, and other site amenities.
Above the Falls Regional Park, design and construct trail loops, river access areas, landscapes, storm water management. Includes site furniture, landscaping, utilities, survey and site investigations, design, engineering, and project management.
Mississippi River Regional Trail. MnDOT identified and supported Mississippi River Regional Trail connection from Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul to the Mississippi River Trail in Dakota County. Design, engineering and construction for a combine
Initial project was Design and Construction of a trail bridge over County State-Aid Highway 19 for the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail. 2015 Legislature amended project to "save trail crossing". PAT Legacy (F14-15) matched with $1,040,000 in federal funds.
