An existing shelter and restroom facility will be replaced by a new multi use building at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. The building may include restrooms, storage space, multi-purpose lobby space, equipment staging area and fire ring.
The Cottonwood River watershed is one of the last remaining watersheds to complete Cycle I of the Watershed Restoration & Protections Strategies (WRAPS) process. The scope of this project upon completion is have two reports developed; a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies report and a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the entire watershed.
To upgrade a portable stage. The Cottonwood County Agricultural Society has purchased a new portable stage that is larger in size and accommodates a greater variety of performers. With this upgrade, the Agricultural Society will be able to accommodate 50-60 uses throughout the year at different venues and help to bring a larger, culturally diverse group to performances.
This project continues accelerated production of County Geologic Atlases to support informed management of water and mineral resources. This work is essential to sustainable management of water.
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.
This project will promote land and water treatment practices, including wetland restoration, riparian vegetation management, geomorphic (stream stabilization and grade control), livestock exclusion, native grasses, and rain gardens. Also included are three specific geomorphic (stream/grade) stabilization projects in the Hidden Hills Park area of Savage, a wetland restoration in Savage, and finishing the Ponds Park Storm Water Reuse Project.
To facilitate collections inventory, geophysical survey and testing, LiDAR archaeological study and outreach efforts associated with the Crites Oneota and Woodland site in the St. Croix Valley
Phase 5 of the Minnesota Land Trust's Critical Shoreland Habitat Program protected approximately 3.75 miles of shoreland and 417 acres of associated high-quality habitat in Minnesota's Northeast region by securing five permanent conservation easements in strategic locations along priority lakes and rivers. Conservation easements secured under this program are perpetual and will prevent fragmentation and destruction of existing habitat.
These projects will improve water quality by reducing the sediment and phosphorus delivery to the Kettle and St. Croix River Watersheds and engage and educate municipalities and the public regarding the water quality benefits of shoreline buffers and rain gardens. Phosphorus and sediment delivery to the Kettle River from stormwater runoff at Robinson Park in the City of Sandstone will be reduced by the establishment of a native buffer and repair of the river bank by installing soil wraps implanted with deep rooted native species.
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.
To restore the old Carbine House on the fairgrounds. The Crow Wing County Fair will rehabilitate an historic house on the fairgrounds that was originally an old trading post and was later occupied by Duncan and Ella Carbine. They will work with the Historical Society to ensure that the restoration is done in a historically accurate manner.
To showcase a diverse group of regional artists and educators who will offer educational and hands-on experiences for fairgoers on the Arts on the Northland Stage.
This project will develop a TMDL for all impaired lakes within the Crow Wing Watershed by furthering data collection in the watershed, analysis of data, allocation calculations, and introducing outreach and stakeholder participation activities.
The project will include lake monitoring on three (3) lakes found in the Rum River watershed in southeastern Crow Wing County (CWC). The project will be conducted in an effort to gain sufficient data on these data-deficient lake sites. All of the proposed monitoring sites are target sites for 2013-2014. One of the goals of the CWC Local Comprehensive Water Plan (CWP) is to establish a countywide Comprehensive Monitoring Plan (CMP).
The Wright Soil and Water Conservation District has partnered with the Crow River Organization of Water (CROW) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on this comprehensive sediment reduction project to focus on stabilizing five of the most active gully erosion sites on the Crow River. A LiDAR study and follow up field inspection identified 15 priority sites within the study area. This particular area was chosen due to the high level of turbidity and low dissolved oxygen within this stretch of the Crow River.
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 / abandon wells up to a maximum of $1000 per well. Priority will be given to wells located in or near existing wellhead protection areas.
To expand and enhance Becker County Fair's fine arts display area by adding and improving display cases and lighting. Display cases will feature handiwork that is indicative of the area's culture, exhibit historical photos, American Indian fine art, and indigenous floral arrangements.
To acquire professional services to prepare an interpretive plan for public access to history and cultural heritage along 27 miles of the national Mississippi River Trail and the Mississippi River National River and Recreation Area
The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota planned for the cultural alignment of the permanent Children's Museum's art curation, signage, and interactive experiences. The primary focus of this cultural content related to southern Minnesota including Dakota art, culture, and heritage and complemented the Exhibit Development and Fabrication Legacy grant goals.