Project Outcome and Results
The Metro Conservation Corridors (MeCC) Partnership completed its fifth phase of work to accelerate protection and restoration of remaining high-quality natural lands in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area. Work was accomplished by strategically coordinating and focusing conservation efforts within a connected network of critical lands that stretches from the area's urban core to its rural perimeter, including portions of 16 counties.
Project Outcome and Results
In its Critical Lands Protection Program, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) used $380,000 ENRTF funds to secure fee title on 21.63 ENRTF acres of 402 total acquired acres. TPL conveyed these lands to public agencies for permanent protection. Individual project successes include the following:
Implementation of the Cultural Resources Study expected to be completed in Summer 2019. Project may include signage, interpretive elements, access reconfigurement to portions of park, and other items identified in the plan.
The City of Wyoming has proudly commenced construction of Railroad Park, a new and exciting addition to our community that will kick off the redevelopment of our downtown development plan. This vibrant community space is being developed in three phases as we work towards celebrating our City's rich heritage, honoring our veterans, and providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. The first phase of Railroad Park, which construction began on in Fall of 2023, is the Veterans Memorial portion of the project.
Increasing energy conservation and efficiency in residences can play a significant role in Minnesota's goals for energy savings and carbon emissions reductions. The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization, is using this appropriation to develop and implement innovative residential energy efficiency programs. Programs will be demonstrated in eight cities: Apple Valley, Austin, Duluth, Minneapolis, Owatonna, Park Rapids, Rochester, and St. Paul.
A suite of actions to address impaired waters in the watershed, including:
1) Agricultural BMPs in high priority subwatersheds;
2) Carp management in Rice and Fish Lakes
3) Neighborhood BMP s planning and implementation, Diamond Lake drainage area
This project will install urban stormwater and shoreline stabilization practices in the Sunrise River watershed. The grant includes funds for technical/engineering time associated with these projects and grant administration.
The Red Lake Watershed District, Clearwater, East Polk, Pennington, Red Lake County SWCD's have agreed to work Collectively via MOA to implement water quality projects throughout the Clearwater River Watershed. Implementation efforts are priorities following the guidance of the Comprehensive watershed plan completed in spring of 2023. FY25 funds will be used to continue the implementation of projects identified and/or developed over the FY23 timeframe to continue to meet the goals highlighted in the comprehensive watershed plan.
This grant will install urban stormwater practices, agricultural practices, shoreline stabilizations, and wetland restorations in the Rum River watershed. It will also include technical/engineering to support those projects and other projects anticipated to be installed with future grant funds. The grant will produce enhanced street sweeping studies to determine altered sweeping location, timing and frequency to benefit water quality. Finally, the grant will include outreach/education to advance water quality practices and behaviors.
The LqP-YB Watershed Plan FY 2025, will be used to implement projects in the Watershed to help enhance ground water, surface water, land
stewardship, & habitat. The plan is broken into high, medium, & low priority regions and the local partners will work with
landowners to implement projects to help meet the goals of the plan. Funding will be geared towards projects located in the high
The South Washington Watershed District has identified a series of priority sites to install filtration systems on aging storm sewer networks in the cities of Newport and St. Paul Park aimed at reducing sediment loads to the Mississippi River. SWWD is working with the cities to add stormwater treatment where there has historically been none. Prioritization has come from two recently completed subwatershed retrofit assessments, targeting specific storm sewer networks in the cities.
The weather station portion of the project is to increase the accuracy of weather and road condition data to further refine the Chloride Use/treatment of Shakopee roads. Real-time information from a RWIS station can be used to adjust application settings. Approximately 39 tons (78,000) pounds of salt are used in each event. The city averages 30 events each winter. The City of Eden Prairie has similar weather stations and estimates a 5%-10% reduction in salt use.
