Ducks Unlimited's Phase 5 land program will acquire and restore 600 acres of prairie land and wetlands for inclusion in state Wildlife Management Areas for Minnesota DNR, with focus on restorable prairie lands and wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes.
This Phase 12 request supports Ducks Unlimited's prairie land acquisition and restoration program. DU proposes to acquire and restore 790 acres of land containing drained wetlands and land bordering shallow lakes in SW Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region for inclusion in the Minnesota DNR's state WMA system. This land acquisition and restoration program focuses on restoring cropland with drained wetlands along shallow lakes and adjoining WMAs to help restore prairie wetland habitat complexes for breeding ducks and other wildlife.
Funding through this appropriation enhanced 8,359 acres of wetland habitat. Included in this work were six infrastructure projects that enhanced 871 acres and a Douglas County wetland restoration was done in cooperation with Pheasants Forever. Wetland management actions by the Region 1 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced almost 7,500 wetland acres through work on prescribed burns, herbicide applications, and removal of woody vegetation. Survey and design work in Rice County gathered information for possible future construction.
This is Phase 13 Ducks Unlimited's of prairie wetland acquisition and restoration program in Minnesota. DU proposes to acquire and restore land containing wetlands and drained wetlands, and land bordering shallow lakes in Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region for inclusion in MNDNR state WMAs and USFWS federal WPAs/NWRs. This ongoing land acquisition/restoration program focuses on restoring cropland with drained wetlands near existing WMAs and WPAs/NWRs to help restore prairie wetland habitat complexes for breeding ducks, other wildlife, and people.
Funding through this appropriation enhanced 4,745 acres of wetland habitat. Four wetland/shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,020 acres and and another project restored 50 acres. Wetland management actions (wild rice seeding, a significant drawdown, and a major large prescribed burn) enhanced 1,997 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,678 wetland acres through work on prescribed burns, drawdowns, herbicide applications, and removal of woody vegetation.
This Phase 11 request supports Ducks Unlimited's prairie land acquisition and restoration program. DU proposes to acquire and restore 550 acres of land containing drained wetlands and land on shallow lakes in SW Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region for transfer into the Minnesota DNR's state WMA system. This land acquisition and restoration program focuses on restoring cropland with drained wetlands along shallow lakes and adjoining WMAs to help restore prairie wetland habitat complexes for breeding ducks and other wildlife.
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.
The Science Museum of Minnesota will relay the results of LCCMR-funded research to public audiences; dissemination will include a free online interactive map, in-depth videos, and public events.
Shattuck Saint Mary's, located atop of a bluff area upland of the east bank of the Straight River, encompasses a land area of 324 acres that contains over 16,426 miles of mild to extensively eroded ravines and gullies; many of which directly discharge to the Straight River. In addition to pollutant loads in runoff from the school's watershed and eroded ravines, banks and gullies, the Straight River also experiences pollutant loading from eroding stream banks in this reach; annual sediment loads average 1,962 tons per year.
To contract with qualified professionals to prepare planning documents that will help preserve the Shaw Memorial Library, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and used by Carlton County Historical Society.
To produce a one-hour documentary on the life and significant contributions of Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Rosalie Wahl based on thorough and completed research.
The Phase VII Habitat Restoration Program included an Orr Wetland Restoration, a Belshan Property Targeted Habitat Acquisition Project, and a Shell Rock River Streambank Restoration Project. As a result, 152 acres of habitat and wetlands were protected, enhanced or restored.
This project will complete an extension of the Shell Rock River Hydrologic Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed model application through the year 2018. Compliance scenarios will be executed to address potential expansion of discharges from the Albert Lea Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
This project is for surface water assessment in the Shell Rock and Winnebago River Watershed including four stream sites and two lake sites. Waters of concern include Lime creek, Bancroft creek, Goose creek, a tributary to Fountain Lake, Albert Lea Lake and State Line Lake. The outcomes includes establishing baseline data for the associated sample site.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Phase VIII Habitat Restoration Program will restore and protect 315 acres of essential shallow lake, oak savanna and wetland habitat across the watershed. As a result of the strategic projects, a key biological functioning parcel will be permanently protected, lake shores will be enhanced, in-lake habitat structures will be created, oak savanna will be protected and vegetation will be restored for migratory fowl habitat.
The Phase VI Habitat Restoration Program included an Orr Property Acquisition, a Vandegrift Wetland Restoration, an IC&E Wetland Enhancement Project and a Headwaters Streambank Restoration Project. As a result, 296 acres of habitat and wetlands were protected, enhanced or restored.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Phase X Habitat Restoration Program will enhance, and protect 389 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland, and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result of the strategic projects, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Phase IX Habitat Restoration Program will restore, enhance, and protect 483 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland, and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result of strategic projects, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, streambank habitat will be protected, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture.
Run a set of scenarios in Hydrological Simulation Program – Fortran Scenario Application Manager (HSPF-SAM) for the Shell Rock and Winnebago River Watersheds. The scenario results will identify the most cost-effective subwatersheds and higher resolution areas based on the terrain component for the scenario best management practices (BMPs) to be implemented. The terrain analyses redistributes subbasin-wide SAM loading rates at a higher resolution for localized targeting of more critical and cost-effective source areas.
The goal of this project is to leverage the existing Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) model application that has been calibrated and validated for the Shell Rock River Watershed to assist with wastewater permitting. The contractor will deliver all modeling files and a final technical memorandum outlining the scenarios developed, how the scenarios are represented in the model, and the impact these scenarios have on water quality at specified locations for parameters of concern as described below.
The project consists of two initiatives: soil health outreach and a street sweeping study. These two initiatives will support further prioritization and targeting for nutrient reduction in the watersheds. The goal of this project is to increase implementation of soil health practices across the watersheds and adjust street sweeping schedules to reduce stormwater nutrient loading to surface waters.
RESPEC will address comments on the Shell Rock Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) document. The outcome of this project will be a Shell Rock River Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report that is updated to reflect comments from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the general public, and other stakeholders.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District’s Watershed Habitat Restoration Program will restore, enhance, and protect 5393 acres of critical shallow lake, wetland and stream bank habitat benefiting fish, waterfowl and wildlife populations, preserving an outdoor legacy for future generations.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District's Phase 5 Habitat Restoration Program will restore, enhance, and protect 1040 acres of essential shallow lake, wetland and stream bank habitat benefiting fish, waterfowl and wildlife populations, preserving an outdoor legacy for future generations.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) is seeking funding for their Habitat Restoration Program to restore, and protect essential prairie upland, wetland, lake and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result of the projects, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, streambank habitat will be enhanced, and vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat. Projects are critical for the benefit of fish, waterfowl, and wildlife populations, reversing the trend of wetland loss and habitat degradation.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) is seeking funding for the Habitat Restoration Program to restore and protect 104 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, streambank habitat will be enhanced, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat, and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) is seeking funding for their Habitat Restoration Program to restore, enhance, and protect 302 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland, lake and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result of the projects, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, streambank habitat will be enhanced, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture.
SHAHS acquired shelving and conservation materials to re-organize, consolidate and store collections, especially artifacts documenting the Sacred Heart High School, using proper historical conservation methods. Improved care and management will extend the life of the resources stored in the archival library. Better organization makes the collections more useable to patrons and staff.
The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County used the funds to purchase 1223 linear feet of V-GRIP™ baked enamel on steel shelving to store their growing collection of archival materials. This project will have lasting implications for the professional care of the historical record of Clay County for many years to come.
This project will conduct the second round of Intensive Watershed Monitoring (IWM) for the Mississippi River St. Cloud watershed. Partnering organizations intend to complete sampling of lakes and streams following the protocols and guidance set forth by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Watershed partners include Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Clearwater Watershed District, Sherburne SWCD, Stearns SWCD, Stearns County staff, and Wright SWCD.
To create a history mural at the Sherburne County Fair. The fair will collected photographs, dating back to the early day of the fair, to then be added to a mural by a commissioned artist.
To improve fair visitor access to performing arts at the Sherburne County Fair by installing stage lighting, making the seating area handicap accessible, and building a dressing and changing room for performers.
Sherburne County's Local Water Management Plan identifies eutrophication of lakes (heavy algae blooms) caused by excess phosphorus, loss of aquatic vegation, and loss of riparian vegetation. Removal of natural vegetation near the waters edge in developed and agricultural areas has caused loss of fish and wildlife habitat, increased runoff, and allowed bank erosion. The District will address sources of phosphorus and sediment for three important surface waters in the County. In all, phosphorus will be reduced by 355 pounds and sediment will be reduced by 400 tons per year.
The goal of the project is the reduction of nitrates in the groundwater by promoting and implementing best management practices and alternative management tools in the priority areas of Sherburne County. Practices included in the application are: Cover crops, irrigation water management , and nutrient management. Additional incentives included are for the Conservation Reserve Program. District Staff will also plant at least one acre of demonstration plots which will be highlighted at an annual field day.
