"ID","Title","Fiscal Year(s)","Fiscal Year Funding Amount","Legal Citation / Subdivision","Appropriation Language","Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)","Measurable Outcome(s)","Proposed Outcomes Achieved","Other Funds Leveraged","Source of Additional Funds","Direct Expenses","Administration Costs","Recipient Board Members","Number of full time equivalents funded","Recipient","Recipient Type","Body","About the Issue","Project Details","Start Date","End Date","Source","Status","Updates","Details/Reports","First Name","Last Name","Organization Name","Street Address","City","State","Zip Code","Phone","Email","Activity Type","Administered by","Media","Counties Affected","LSOHC Section","Watershed","URL","Advisory Group Members and Qualifications","Board Members and Qualifications","Conflict of Interest Contact","Conflict of Interest Disclosed"
2950,"Acceleration of Minnesota Conservation Assistance",2012,313000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04l","$313,000 the first year and $312,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to provide grants to soil and water conservation districts to provide technical assistance to secure enrollment and retention of private lands in federal and state programs for conservation.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,216000,,313000,,,8,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW Enrollment of private lands in conservation programs can provide important natural resource and other public benefits by taking the lands out of production so that they can provide various wildlife and ecological benefits. This appropriation is enabling the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources to provide grants to local soil and water conservation districts for employment of technical staff to assist private landowners in implementing conservation programs. This effort is expected to assist with the enrollment, retention, and management of 30,000 private acres of grasslands, wetlands, and forests in federal and state conservation programs, particularly in areas expected to lose enrollments in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS This project accelerates the implementation of conservation programs on private lands. Numerous programs and funding sources exist or are being developed to implement conservation practices on private lands. This project provides the one on one link with landowners to identify programs and see them to completion. Accelerated staffing was accomplished by contracting with Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) who have a local connection with landowners. Experience has shown this level of service is required as programs are complex and competing land use changes are pulling in the opposite direction. Landowners have no shortage of options in managing their land. Assuring sound conservation practices that benefit water quality and wildlife habitat are part of that plan is a fundamental goal of this project. As Minnesota's agricultural landscape continues to change with even fewer grassland and wetland acres resulting from the expiration of CRP contracts it is ever more important that we slow this progression and work to retain the most critical areas with renewed contracts or easements. This project has paid to directly employ 10 full time equivalent positions within SWCD offices. In addition, this project leverages an added 9 positions funded by other sources from DNR, BWSR and SWCD's. Work affecting more than 54,000ac.was accomplished by this project, greatly exceeding the original goal of 30,000ac. This includes 10,300 acres of riparian protection, 10,000 acres of wetland restoration Projects, 23,100 acres of grassland protection, 11,900 acres of grassland management. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION Data is collected on staff time spent, acres impacted and landowners contacted on a quarterly basis and is available to the project partners and participants. The overall status of conservation programs in MN is available at www.bwsr.state.mn.us/easements/coenrol.xls.",,"Final Report",2011-07-01,2013-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Tabor,Hoek,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","St Paul",MN,55155,"(507) 537-7260",tabor.hoek@state.mn.us,"Education/Outreach/Engagement, Grants/Contracts, Restoration/Enhancement, Technical Assistance","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/acceleration-minnesota-conservation-assistance,,,,
2950,"Acceleration of Minnesota Conservation Assistance",2013,312000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04l","$313,000 the first year and $312,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to provide grants to soil and water conservation districts to provide technical assistance to secure enrollment and retention of private lands in federal and state programs for conservation.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,312000,,,8,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW Enrollment of private lands in conservation programs can provide important natural resource and other public benefits by taking the lands out of production so that they can provide various wildlife and ecological benefits. This appropriation is enabling the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources to provide grants to local soil and water conservation districts for employment of technical staff to assist private landowners in implementing conservation programs. This effort is expected to assist with the enrollment, retention, and management of 30,000 private acres of grasslands, wetlands, and forests in federal and state conservation programs, particularly in areas expected to lose enrollments in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS This project accelerates the implementation of conservation programs on private lands. Numerous programs and funding sources exist or are being developed to implement conservation practices on private lands. This project provides the one on one link with landowners to identify programs and see them to completion. Accelerated staffing was accomplished by contracting with Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) who have a local connection with landowners. Experience has shown this level of service is required as programs are complex and competing land use changes are pulling in the opposite direction. Landowners have no shortage of options in managing their land. Assuring sound conservation practices that benefit water quality and wildlife habitat are part of that plan is a fundamental goal of this project. As Minnesota's agricultural landscape continues to change with even fewer grassland and wetland acres resulting from the expiration of CRP contracts it is ever more important that we slow this progression and work to retain the most critical areas with renewed contracts or easements. This project has paid to directly employ 10 full time equivalent positions within SWCD offices. In addition, this project leverages an added 9 positions funded by other sources from DNR, BWSR and SWCD's. Work affecting more than 54,000ac.was accomplished by this project, greatly exceeding the original goal of 30,000ac. This includes 10,300 acres of riparian protection, 10,000 acres of wetland restoration Projects, 23,100 acres of grassland protection, 11,900 acres of grassland management. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION Data is collected on staff time spent, acres impacted and landowners contacted on a quarterly basis and is available to the project partners and participants. The overall status of conservation programs in MN is available at www.bwsr.state.mn.us/easements/coenrol.xls.",,"Final Report",2011-07-01,2013-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Tabor,Hoek,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","St Paul",MN,55155,"(507) 537-7260",tabor.hoek@state.mn.us,"Education/Outreach/Engagement, Grants/Contracts, Restoration/Enhancement, Technical Assistance","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/acceleration-minnesota-conservation-assistance,,,,
14374,"Brainerd Lakes Community Mini Grant Program",2012,150000,"Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(g) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for community partners grants to local units of government for: (1) structural or vegetative management practices that reduce storm water runoff from developed or disturbed lands to reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients, and pollutants for restoration, protection, or enhancement of water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect groundwater and drinking water; and (2) installation of proven and effective water retention practices including, but not limited to, rain gardens and other vegetated infiltration basins and sediment control basins in order to keep water on the land. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a local match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans. Local government unit staff and administration costs may be used as a match.","Project Outputs: Create Mini Grant Program","Pollution reduction estimates for this Community Partnery Conservation Program grant include 108 lbs/yr phosphorus, 39 tons/yr sediment (TSS), and 39 tons/yr soil loss.",,38000,"The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources. ",150000,7500,"District 1: Leonard Koering (Treasurer); District 2: Diane Jacobson (Secretary); District 3: Roger Waytashek (Reporter); District 4: Robert Becker (Chair); District 5: Robert Albrecht (Vice Chair);",0.59,"Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District","Local/Regional Government","Based on the Minnesota Waters Lake and River Association database, Crow Wing County has the highest number of lake associations in Minnesota. Currently, there are over 136 lake association groups in the county, which does not include neighborhood, resort or religious groups. These lakes aer a cornerstone to the state's tourism econmy and there is a great demand for stormwater management incentive program to protect these local water resources. This project will engage citizen groups in water quality protection efforts by partnering with the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Crow Wing County Environmental Services, nonprofits, and Lake Associations to develop a mini grant program. This program will provide cost-sharing and technical assistance on projects that will intercept, treat and infiltrate runoff . This will reduce phosphorus and sediment loads to high priority lakes and streams in the county. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Melissa,Barrick,"Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District","322 Laurel St. Suite 13",Brainerd,MN,56401,"(218) 828-6197 x4255",melissa.barrick@co.crow-wing.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Crow Wing",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/brainerd-lakes-community-mini-grant-program,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section; ","The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service;","Nicole Clapp",No
3926,"Completion of Statewide Digital Soil Survey",2012,250000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03c","$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to accelerate the completion of county soil survey mapping and Web-based data delivery. The soil surveys must be done on a cost-share basis with local and federal funds.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,2875000,,250000,,,3.21,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW The Minnesota Soil Survey is an ongoing effort by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that is systematically collecting and mapping data pertaining to soil types and other soil properties in each county of the state. To date, surveys for nearly all counties in the state have been completed. Soils data is used by governments, farmers, and other businesses for a number of purposes from protection and restoration of soil, water, wetlands, and habitats to agricultural productivity and soil management to building construction. This appropriation will complete the mapping and digitization of soil surveys for Crow Wing, Koochiching, Lake, Cook, and Saint Louis counties. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS This project, Completion of Statewide Digital Soil Survey, is the last in a series of projects to map and digitize all Minnesota soils. The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) has supported the completion of a statewide soil survey since 1997. ENRTF's contribution of $3.5 million over 17 years leveraged $13.2 million from project partners including cooperating counties, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the University of Minnesota. Soil surveys contain information essential to the management of natural resources. Soil surveys provide a field-based scientific inventory of soil resources, including soil maps, data about the physical and chemical properties of soils, and information on the potentials and limitations of each soil. Farmers, landowners, builders, county assessors, and natural resource managers depend on soil survey information to conduct business and protect natural resources. This project extended soil maps and data to millions of acres previously lacking comprehensive soil surveys. It is ideal to have 'seamless' soil data coverage regardless of land ownership (county, state, federal, or private). However, gaps exist in soil survey coverage due to these land ownership issues. This project focused on addressing portions of Minnesota with missing digital soils information; e.g., the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Superior National Forest, and Crow Wing County. At the end of the final mapping phase (NRCS contributions extend to 2016) Pine County and the Grand Portage Reservation will be the only unmapped areas in Minnesota. NRCS intends to map Pine County in the future, funded entirely by the NRCS. The mapping goal for the ENTRF funds was 400,000 acres. NRCS mapped over 2 million acres using ENTRF dollars and Federal funds. This included 207,546 acres in Crow Wing County; 470,000 in Lake and Cook Counties (outside Superior National Forest boundary); 793,725 acres in Lake, Cook, and St. Louis Counties (inside Superior National Forest boundary); and 600,000 in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. All the spatial and tabular data collected during this project will be available on Web Soil Survey: www.websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The data collected during the soil survey field investigations is available to the public via the Web Soil Survey website: www.websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov. The Web Soil Survey is the single authoritative source of up-to-date soils information for selecting sites for development, road building, pipeline corridors, and waste disposal; for pollution control; for minimizing risks to human life and property; and for wildlife management, wetlands identification, and soil or water conservation. The data collected during this project will be posted to Web Soil Survey in January 2015.",,"Final Report",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Larson,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-7029",greg.a.larson@state.mn.us,"Inventory, Digitization/Online Information Access, Analysis/Interpretation, Mapping","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/completion-statewide-digital-soil-survey,,,,
3926,"Completion of Statewide Digital Soil Survey",2013,250000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03c","$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to accelerate the completion of county soil survey mapping and Web-based data delivery. The soil surveys must be done on a cost-share basis with local and federal funds.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,250000,,,3.2,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW The Minnesota Soil Survey is an ongoing effort by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that is systematically collecting and mapping data pertaining to soil types and other soil properties in each county of the state. To date, surveys for nearly all counties in the state have been completed. Soils data is used by governments, farmers, and other businesses for a number of purposes from protection and restoration of soil, water, wetlands, and habitats to agricultural productivity and soil management to building construction. This appropriation will complete the mapping and digitization of soil surveys for Crow Wing, Koochiching, Lake, Cook, and Saint Louis counties. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS This project, Completion of Statewide Digital Soil Survey, is the last in a series of projects to map and digitize all Minnesota soils. The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) has supported the completion of a statewide soil survey since 1997. ENRTF's contribution of $3.5 million over 17 years leveraged $13.2 million from project partners including cooperating counties, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the University of Minnesota. Soil surveys contain information essential to the management of natural resources. Soil surveys provide a field-based scientific inventory of soil resources, including soil maps, data about the physical and chemical properties of soils, and information on the potentials and limitations of each soil. Farmers, landowners, builders, county assessors, and natural resource managers depend on soil survey information to conduct business and protect natural resources. This project extended soil maps and data to millions of acres previously lacking comprehensive soil surveys. It is ideal to have 'seamless' soil data coverage regardless of land ownership (county, state, federal, or private). However, gaps exist in soil survey coverage due to these land ownership issues. This project focused on addressing portions of Minnesota with missing digital soils information; e.g., the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Superior National Forest, and Crow Wing County. At the end of the final mapping phase (NRCS contributions extend to 2016) Pine County and the Grand Portage Reservation will be the only unmapped areas in Minnesota. NRCS intends to map Pine County in the future, funded entirely by the NRCS. The mapping goal for the ENTRF funds was 400,000 acres. NRCS mapped over 2 million acres using ENTRF dollars and Federal funds. This included 207,546 acres in Crow Wing County; 470,000 in Lake and Cook Counties (outside Superior National Forest boundary); 793,725 acres in Lake, Cook, and St. Louis Counties (inside Superior National Forest boundary); and 600,000 in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. All the spatial and tabular data collected during this project will be available on Web Soil Survey: www.websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The data collected during the soil survey field investigations is available to the public via the Web Soil Survey website: www.websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov. The Web Soil Survey is the single authoritative source of up-to-date soils information for selecting sites for development, road building, pipeline corridors, and waste disposal; for pollution control; for minimizing risks to human life and property; and for wildlife management, wetlands identification, and soil or water conservation. The data collected during this project will be posted to Web Soil Survey in January 2015.",,"Final Report",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Larson,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-7029",greg.a.larson@state.mn.us,"Inventory, Digitization/Online Information Access, Analysis/Interpretation, Mapping","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/completion-statewide-digital-soil-survey,,,,
2915,"Conservation-Based Approach for Assessing Public Drainage Benefits",2012,75000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03m","$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to develop an alternative framework to assess drainage benefits on public systems to enhance water conservation. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,75000,,,3.16,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW Artificial drainage exists in more than 25% of Minnesota. Runoff contributions from drained lands into these drainage systems contribute pollutants and degrade downstream water quality. Public drainage systems are funded by assessing costs to the lands benefitting from the systems. The current framework upon which these assessments are determined is based on maximizing crop production and does not account for overall water resources impacts, so there is no incentive for landowners to implement conservation practices that reduce runoff contributions to the drainage systems. The Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources is using this appropriation to develop and test an alternative framework for funding public drainage systems that would reduce costs to landowners if they implement conservation strategies that promote infiltration and reduce runoff. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS Agricultural drainage provides an essential service to farmers and producers across the Midwest. However, maintenance and improvements of the drainage system are very costly. Landowners are charged via taxation based on the amount of benefits they receive from the drainage system. Currently in Minnesota benefits are determined by professional ditch viewers. Little guidance is provided to them by the drainage code and the process is highly laborious. Benefits are currently assigned per parcel based on discrete benefit classes. Professional judgment is an inherent component of the assessment. The main focus of this project is to investigate potential methods to improve on the current practices. The project was particularly interested in exploring the usefulness of geographic and hydrologic modeling software to automate the process, to objectively identify benefits, and to incorporate conservation practices in assessments. Instead of using the current Minnesota method of discrete benefit classes, the project proposed a new method called the UM method based on drainage volume for each parcel. The UM method does not use professional judgment to assign benefit classes. The method does, however, require an estimate of the surface and subsurface drainage volume for each parcel. Applying these alternative methodologies prior to manual, in field assessments will likely save time and money in the assessment process. Knowledge of the corresponding reductions in drainage depth volume and fraction of benefits per parcel can be utilized as part of the decision making process of applying conservation drainage practices within a watershed. The product of the project was a report, Conservation Based Approach for Assessing Public Drainage Benefits: Final Project Report. It delineates methodologies used, obstacles overcome, and the basis for recommendations. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION< At present the information derived from this project will be used for decision making concerning potential future investigation into establishing of viewing practices outlined in the project report. This project was presented to the stakeholder Drainage Work Group (the instigator of the project) once to update the Work Group on its progress, and a second time to make the Work Group aware of the recommendations. No action has been taken by the Drainage Work Group in regard to the recommendations coming from this project.",,"Final Report",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Al,Kean,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-2907",al.kean@state.mn.us,"Analysis/Interpretation, Assessment/Evaluation, Inventory, Planning","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-based-approach-assessing-public-drainage-benefits,,,,
2915,"Conservation-Based Approach for Assessing Public Drainage Benefits",2013,75000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03m","$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to develop an alternative framework to assess drainage benefits on public systems to enhance water conservation. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,75000,,,3.15,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW Artificial drainage exists in more than 25% of Minnesota. Runoff contributions from drained lands into these drainage systems contribute pollutants and degrade downstream water quality. Public drainage systems are funded by assessing costs to the lands benefitting from the systems. The current framework upon which these assessments are determined is based on maximizing crop production and does not account for overall water resources impacts, so there is no incentive for landowners to implement conservation practices that reduce runoff contributions to the drainage systems. The Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources is using this appropriation to develop and test an alternative framework for funding public drainage systems that would reduce costs to landowners if they implement conservation strategies that promote infiltration and reduce runoff. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS Agricultural drainage provides an essential service to farmers and producers across the Midwest. However, maintenance and improvements of the drainage system are very costly. Landowners are charged via taxation based on the amount of benefits they receive from the drainage system. Currently in Minnesota benefits are determined by professional ditch viewers. Little guidance is provided to them by the drainage code and the process is highly laborious. Benefits are currently assigned per parcel based on discrete benefit classes. Professional judgment is an inherent component of the assessment. The main focus of this project is to investigate potential methods to improve on the current practices. The project was particularly interested in exploring the usefulness of geographic and hydrologic modeling software to automate the process, to objectively identify benefits, and to incorporate conservation practices in assessments. Instead of using the current Minnesota method of discrete benefit classes, the project proposed a new method called the UM method based on drainage volume for each parcel. The UM method does not use professional judgment to assign benefit classes. The method does, however, require an estimate of the surface and subsurface drainage volume for each parcel. Applying these alternative methodologies prior to manual, in field assessments will likely save time and money in the assessment process. Knowledge of the corresponding reductions in drainage depth volume and fraction of benefits per parcel can be utilized as part of the decision making process of applying conservation drainage practices within a watershed. The product of the project was a report, Conservation Based Approach for Assessing Public Drainage Benefits: Final Project Report. It delineates methodologies used, obstacles overcome, and the basis for recommendations. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION< At present the information derived from this project will be used for decision making concerning potential future investigation into establishing of viewing practices outlined in the project report. This project was presented to the stakeholder Drainage Work Group (the instigator of the project) once to update the Work Group on its progress, and a second time to make the Work Group aware of the recommendations. No action has been taken by the Drainage Work Group in regard to the recommendations coming from this project.",,"Final Report",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Al,Kean,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-2907",al.kean@state.mn.us,"Analysis/Interpretation, Assessment/Evaluation, Inventory, Planning","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-based-approach-assessing-public-drainage-benefits,,,,
14292,"Green Streets for Blue Waters",2012,235200,"Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.","Multi Property Swale - Minnesota River, Mission Ln Raingardens - Minnesota River and 107th St. Circle Raingardens - Minnesota River Proposed Reductions: 18 acre feet/year Hydrology, 15 lbs/year Phosphorus and 15 lbs/year Sediment","The City of Fairmont has provided match through staff time and use of their facilities. South Silver Lake Association provided match through the installation of a lakeshore planting.",,73155,,235200,5500,,0.26,"City of Bloomington","Local/Regional Government","Green Streets for Blue Waters is a collaborative effort to install curb cut raingardens and other stormwater management practices within public right of way and on private lands. The project development was funded by the City of Bloomington and the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District, who worked with Metro Blooms to identify the project area and goals. The practices will reduce sediment, phosphorus, and stormwater volumes generated by the residential area adjacent to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (MVNWR), a critical habitat area in the heart of the Twin Cities. Stormwater runoff from urban areas introduces pollutants into this ecosystem and causes erosion along its sensitive river bluffs. The project works to address the low dissolved oxygen problem in the Lower Minnesota River and will set a new precedent for how communities can re-integrate native landscapes and implement stormwater practices in their neighborhoods. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Bryan,Gruidl,"City of Bloomington","1700 West 98th Street",Bloomington,MN,55431,"(952) 563-4557",bgruidl@ci.bloomington.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Hennepin,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/green-streets-blue-waters,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section; ","The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service","Nicole Clapp",No
14377,"Improving Water Quality Within the City of Wadena",2012,82950,"Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(g) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for community partners grants to local units of government for: (1) structural or vegetative management practices that reduce storm water runoff from developed or disturbed lands to reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients, and pollutants for restoration, protection, or enhancement of water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect groundwater and drinking water; and (2) installation of proven and effective water retention practices including, but not limited to, rain gardens and other vegetated infiltration basins and sediment control basins in order to keep water on the land. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a local match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans. Local government unit staff and administration costs may be used as a match.","Project Outputs: Rain Barrels Rain Gardens Grassed Waterway/Swale Tree Plantings Education and Outreach ","Provided technical and engineering assistance to county organizations for the installation of the rain gardens and retention basin at the County Fairgrounds. Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. was contracted through the county to provide engineering assistance. The SWCD also provided technical assistance for development of planting plans for the rain gardens. The Wadena SWCD provided technical assistance and support for distribution and installation of 187 rain barrels in the city of Wadena. ",,20887,"The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources. ",82950,2000,"Melvin Kinnunen; Nancy Benson; Ken Berg; Marvin Runyan; Tom Schulz;",0.13,"Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District","Local/Regional Government","As the City of Wadena is being re-built after an EF4 tornado, it has become evident that more needs to be done to reduce runoff by retaining or diverting stormwater. The purpose of this project is to provide subgrants to citizens to install various conservation practices on their properties including grassed waterways, rain gardens and tree plantings. Through this subgrant program the citizens of Wadena will have a greater understanding of the importance of stormwater management. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Darren,Newville,"Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District","4 Alfres St. NE",Wadena,MN,56482,"(218) 631-3195 x3",darren.newville@mn.nacdnet.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Wadena,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/improving-water-quality-within-city-wadena,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section; ","The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service;","Nicole Clapp",No
14293,"Loretto Creek Restoration",2012,334450,"Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.","Construction of stormwater ponds and restoration of impacted stream and wetland - Divert low flows to constructed stormwater pond and excavate an existing impacted wetland to reduce phosphorus to Lake Sarah. - Lake Sarah Proposed Reductions: 140 lbs/year Phosphorus ","The restoration of impacted stream and wetlands went as planned. The low flows were diverted to the constructed stormwater ponds and wetlands to reduce phosphorus to Lake Sarah. The final number for phosphorus removal will be a total of 140 pounds. ",,83828,"The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources. ",334450,6800,,0.34,"City of Medina","Local/Regional Government","Lake Sarah is a regionally significant lake and currently suffers from excess phosphprus levels. Loretto Creek, located partially within the Cities of Medina and Loretto, is Lake Sarah's east tributary carrying approximately 269 pounds of phosphorus to the lake each year. This is a joint project between the Cities of Loretto and Medina developed for the Loretto ballfields to address this problem. The project includes restoring a portion of Loretto Creek to a more natural design by meandering the channel, flattening the side slopes and creating native vegetated buffers. A sedimentation pond will be constructed to collect coarse sediment during low flow storm events and will slow down the velocity of the stream. Down stream of the sedimentation pond, a larger water quality pond will be constructed within the existing upland area of the northwest ball field. This pond will store larger storm events and will settle out phosphorus-laden sediment. In addition, this project will restore a historically filled wetland within the ball field complex. The water quality pond will outlet through the restored wetland. This will allow for additional overland treatment of stormwater along with improving wildlife habitat. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Steve,Scherer,"City of Medina","2052 County Road 24 ",Medina,"MN ",55340,"(763) 473-4643",steve.scherer@ci.medina.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Hennepin,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/loretto-creek-restoration,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section; ","Qualifications: The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service; ","Nicole Clapp",No
2914,"Measuring Conservation Practice Outcomes",2012,170000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03l","$170,000 the first year and $170,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to improve measurement of impacts of conservation practices through refinement of existing and development of new pollution estimators and by providing local government training.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,170000,,,2.21,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW Accounting for on the ground outcomes and measurable environmental benefits (e.g., pollution reduction) to the quality of soil, water, and habitat is an essential component of implementing conservation practices. Natural resource professionals use models and ""estimators"" to quantify these outcomes and benefits and guide future efforts. Over time, as conditions change and new information becomes available, estimators need to be revised or added to ensure outcomes and benefits are being accurately quantified. This appropriation is enabling the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources to revise and create new estimators where needed, field verify the revised and new estimators, and provide local governments and other conservation professionals with training on how to use the revised and new estimators. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS Accounting for on the ground outcomes and measureable environmental benefits to the quality of soil, water, and habitat is an essential component of implementing conservation projects. Local Government Units (LGUs), including Counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Watershed Districts, utilize pollution reduction estimators to quantify the outcomes of conservation projects. Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) currently utilizes models or 'estimators' to measure the pollution reduction benefits of installed Best Management Practices (BMPs). Estimators quantify the outcomes of conservation practices in terms of reduced soil erosion, sediment and phosphorus reduction, carbon sequestered, etc. In order to improve the accounting of conservation practices and measurement of environmental benefits, existing estimators must be revised and new estimators developed. Through a partnership with the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate, four new estimators were developed: Permanent Cover Erosion Reduction model, the Septic System Improvement Estimator, the Milkhouse Waste Practices Estimator, and the Hydrologic Soil Group - Knowledge Matrix tool. These estimators fill gaps where estimators did not exist previously. The existence of these estimators allows Local Government Units and other conservation partners to better quantify the environmental outcomes of conservation implementation. Training for LGUs and other conservation partners was conducted and made available in multiple formats (in-person, webinar, instructional videos). Many LGUs have already used the new estimators and we anticipate widespread adoption in the future.Additional results include development of a framework to model and track movement of endocrine disrupting compounds and a data quality analysis of pollution reduction reporting. Three reports resulted from the work in the project. The reports are listed and briefly summarized below.Modeling Soil Erosion with Caesium-137: This report explains the process of modeling landscape-scale soil erosion and provides instructions on using the model to estimate long-term average erosion rates.eLINK Data Quality Control Analysis: This report provides an overview of the pollution reduction estimates in eLINK and recommends actions to improve data quality and completeness.Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Retention Framework: This report explains the behavior of endocrine disrupting compounds in the environment and provides a framework for measuring the movement and transport of such chemicals.PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION< The estimators are used by LGUs and conservation partners to quantify outcomes of installed Best Management Practices. The measured outcomes are collected in BWSR's eLINK database. The associated eLINK Data Quality Control Analysis report helps BWSR improve reporting of conservation project outcomes by recommending actions for improving education and outreach and developing internal mechanisms for quality control. Work completed by the University of Minnesota has gained interest amongst the broader scientific community and has been presented at international conferences. All reports, estimators and training materials developed during this project are available on the BWSR website: www.bwsr.state.mn.us.",,"FINAL REPORT",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Larson,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafeyette Rd N","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-7029",greg.a.larson@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Inventory, Monitoring, Planning, Technical Assistance","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/measuring-conservation-practice-outcomes,,,,
2914,"Measuring Conservation Practice Outcomes",2013,170000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03l","$170,000 the first year and $170,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to improve measurement of impacts of conservation practices through refinement of existing and development of new pollution estimators and by providing local government training.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,170000,,,2.21,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW Accounting for on the ground outcomes and measurable environmental benefits (e.g., pollution reduction) to the quality of soil, water, and habitat is an essential component of implementing conservation practices. Natural resource professionals use models and ""estimators"" to quantify these outcomes and benefits and guide future efforts. Over time, as conditions change and new information becomes available, estimators need to be revised or added to ensure outcomes and benefits are being accurately quantified. This appropriation is enabling the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources to revise and create new estimators where needed, field verify the revised and new estimators, and provide local governments and other conservation professionals with training on how to use the revised and new estimators. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS Accounting for on the ground outcomes and measureable environmental benefits to the quality of soil, water, and habitat is an essential component of implementing conservation projects. Local Government Units (LGUs), including Counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Watershed Districts, utilize pollution reduction estimators to quantify the outcomes of conservation projects. Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) currently utilizes models or 'estimators' to measure the pollution reduction benefits of installed Best Management Practices (BMPs). Estimators quantify the outcomes of conservation practices in terms of reduced soil erosion, sediment and phosphorus reduction, carbon sequestered, etc. In order to improve the accounting of conservation practices and measurement of environmental benefits, existing estimators must be revised and new estimators developed. Through a partnership with the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate, four new estimators were developed: Permanent Cover Erosion Reduction model, the Septic System Improvement Estimator, the Milkhouse Waste Practices Estimator, and the Hydrologic Soil Group - Knowledge Matrix tool. These estimators fill gaps where estimators did not exist previously. The existence of these estimators allows Local Government Units and other conservation partners to better quantify the environmental outcomes of conservation implementation. Training for LGUs and other conservation partners was conducted and made available in multiple formats (in-person, webinar, instructional videos). Many LGUs have already used the new estimators and we anticipate widespread adoption in the future.Additional results include development of a framework to model and track movement of endocrine disrupting compounds and a data quality analysis of pollution reduction reporting. Three reports resulted from the work in the project. The reports are listed and briefly summarized below.Modeling Soil Erosion with Caesium-137: This report explains the process of modeling landscape-scale soil erosion and provides instructions on using the model to estimate long-term average erosion rates.eLINK Data Quality Control Analysis: This report provides an overview of the pollution reduction estimates in eLINK and recommends actions to improve data quality and completeness.Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Retention Framework: This report explains the behavior of endocrine disrupting compounds in the environment and provides a framework for measuring the movement and transport of such chemicals.PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION< The estimators are used by LGUs and conservation partners to quantify outcomes of installed Best Management Practices. The measured outcomes are collected in BWSR's eLINK database. The associated eLINK Data Quality Control Analysis report helps BWSR improve reporting of conservation project outcomes by recommending actions for improving education and outreach and developing internal mechanisms for quality control. Work completed by the University of Minnesota has gained interest amongst the broader scientific community and has been presented at international conferences. All reports, estimators and training materials developed during this project are available on the BWSR website: www.bwsr.state.mn.us.",,"FINAL REPORT",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Larson,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafeyette Rd N","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-7029",greg.a.larson@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Inventory, Monitoring, Planning, Technical Assistance","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/measuring-conservation-practice-outcomes,,,,
14345,"Metro Wide Subwatershed Stormwater Retrofit Analysis",2012,216181,"Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(b) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for targeted local resource protection and enhancement grants. The board shall give priority consideration to projects and practices that complement, supplement, or exceed current state standards for protection, enhancement, and restoration of water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that protect groundwater from degradation. Of this amount, at least $1,500,000 each year is for county SSTS implementation. ","33 subwatershed stormwater retrofit analyses ",,,91000,"The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources. ",216181,7500,,2.45,"Metro Conservation Districts","Local/Regional Government","Through a long standing partnership, this project will continue to implement a process formalized with a 2010 Clean Water Fund Grant to conduct stormwater sub-watershed assessments. The goal of the sub-watershed assessments is to accelerate water quality improvements by focusing efforts in high priority areas. Specifically, subwatershed assessments are a tool used to identify the most effective urban stormwater conservation practice by location. This project will analyze an additional 33 subwatersheds in the eleven county metro area that contribute to the degradation of locally identified high priority water resources. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Jay,Riggs,"Washington Conservation District","1380 W. Frontage Rd. Highway 36",Stillwater,MN,55082,"(651) 275-1136 ext 20",jriggs@mnwcd.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, Wright",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/metro-wide-subwatershed-stormwater-retrofit-analysis,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section; ","The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service; ","Nicole Clapp ",
2971,"Minnesota Conservation Apprentice Academy",2012,100000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 09a","$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources in cooperation with Conservation Corps Minnesota to train and mentor future conservation professionals by providing apprenticeship service opportunities to soil and water conservation districts. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and the final products delivered.","Click on ""Work Plan"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Work Plan"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,100000,,,3.02,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW Many of the most experienced conservation practitioners at local soil and water conservation districts throughout the state are nearing retirement, and with their departure will go much of their practical, on-the-ground knowledge, experience, and skills. Meanwhile, college students seeking to be the next generation of conservation practitioners have knowledge of emerging technologies and other innovations that can improve and contribute to current conservation efforts. Through this appropriation the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources will work with the Minnesota Conservation Corps to continue an effort that places students in apprenticeship positions with county soil and water conservation district offices throughout the state. This unique program provides an opportunity for interns to gain valuable in-the-field experience from current practitioners while sharing their knowledge with those practitioners about the newest ideas and solutions for meeting today's natural resource challenges.",,"Work Plan",2011-07-01,2015-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Steve,Woods,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-7748",steve.woods@state.mn.us,Education/Outreach/Engagement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-conservation-apprentice-academy,,,,
2971,"Minnesota Conservation Apprentice Academy",2013,100000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 09a","$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources in cooperation with Conservation Corps Minnesota to train and mentor future conservation professionals by providing apprenticeship service opportunities to soil and water conservation districts. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and the final products delivered.","Click on ""Work Plan"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Work Plan"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,,,,3.02,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW Many of the most experienced conservation practitioners at local soil and water conservation districts throughout the state are nearing retirement, and with their departure will go much of their practical, on-the-ground knowledge, experience, and skills. Meanwhile, college students seeking to be the next generation of conservation practitioners have knowledge of emerging technologies and other innovations that can improve and contribute to current conservation efforts. Through this appropriation the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources will work with the Minnesota Conservation Corps to continue an effort that places students in apprenticeship positions with county soil and water conservation district offices throughout the state. This unique program provides an opportunity for interns to gain valuable in-the-field experience from current practitioners while sharing their knowledge with those practitioners about the newest ideas and solutions for meeting today's natural resource challenges.",,"Work Plan",2011-07-01,2015-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Steve,Woods,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 297-7748",steve.woods@state.mn.us,Education/Outreach/Engagement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-conservation-apprentice-academy,,,,
2531,"Minnesota Buffers for Wildlife & Water",2012,2249000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$2,249,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources in cooperation with Pheasants Forever to acquire permanent conservation easements to enhance habitat by expanding riparian wildlife buffers on private land. A list of proposed easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $200,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.",,"Protect in easement 1,595 acres of prairies ",,4950800,"Clean Water Fund, Bonding ",2249000,,,.60,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","State Government","RIM Buffers Phase 1 combined the resource benefits of the Outdoor Heritage Fund (LSOHC), Clean Water Fund (CWF), and bond funds. This program exceeded our acreage goal by 439 acres (37%), enrolling a total of 1,595.4 acres of enhanced wildlife and water quality buffers in partnership with private landowners on 46 easements. ",,"September 2011: BWSR Board authorized the RIM Buffer program October 2011: BWSR Board reviewed timeline and ranking criteria November 2011: SWCD program training and rollout of the RFP process where SWCDs requested project areas. January 2012: SWCDs requested local project areas, which determined where eligible projects could occur. February-March 2012: First landowner signup period was held. SWCDs marketed the program to landowners, completed an initial review of eligibility and scoring, and submitted applications to BWSR for funding consideration. Subsequent signups were announced and held to fund additional easements, which followed a similar process of screening committee review and allocation of funding to funded applications. Summer 2012: BWSR completed first funding allocations to applications. Applications first underwent an eligiblity review and confirmation that sites met appropriation guidelines. Applications were funded if they met the minimum wildlife benefits score. Those that did not meet this minimum score were not eligible and were either directed to secure a standalone CWF buffer, or to enroll in a different program. A total of 46 easements were funded and acquired. 2014: Last easements acquired with these funds were recorded. 2014-Onward: Restorations occurred. BWSR is held to the statutory requirement that requires restoration of the easements we acquire. This restoration includes establishment of acceptable vegetation, if the current cover does not adequately meet site goals. This partnership program permanently added grassland habitat and reduced fragmentation by combining the efforts of the Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, and bonding to secure buffers adjacent to public waters. Building upon the 100-foot RIM buffers funded through the Clean Water Fund, we added an additional buffer width (up to NRCS 393 standard for CRP buffers) to make clean water buffers more attractive and productive for wildlife. This program contributed toward the development of new habitat complexes and enhancement of existing habitats by expanding the size of narrow corridors and connecting them to large, permanently protected grasslands, wetlands, and shallow lakes. Furthermore, these wildlife buffers were targeted for landscapes with existing permanently protected habitat to accelerate progress toward achieving minimum thresholds of grass habitat required by waterfowl and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Many Species of Greatest Conservation Need benefit from large habitat patches and some require a minimum threshold of grassland habitat within a landscape. The Sedge wren, a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) most commonly associated with grassland habitat, is encountered in buffer areas. Bird use is influenced by buffer width, with greater widths experiencing greater abundance and diversity of birds and grassland species. Buffers are commonly viewed as simply a water quality practice, but buffers have notable positive impacts on wildlife due their unique upland and riverine habitat interaction. Not only are upland grasslands protected or restored, but detrimental impacts to stream-reliant biota is reduced. Many species of amphibians, such as southern MN's Northern Cricket Frog (endangered) rely on aquatic habitat during the breeding season and then spend most of their lives in upland habitat. In Southeastern MN, reptiles such as the Blanding's Turtle (endangered) rely on meandering streams, rivers, and adjacent lands. A scoring mechanism was employed to fund high quality wildlife buffer enhancements and target these funds. Buffers for wildlife under this program were prioritized based upon their ability to enhance public land habitats (e.g., WPA’s or WMA’s), protect expiring CRP lands, add key nesting cover to wetland/upland complexes, provide maximum water quality benefits, and enhance shallow lakes. Agricultural expansion, biofuel production, and expiration of Conservation Reserve Program contracts had accelerated the loss of grass habitat in Minnesota. At the time this program was implemented, Minnesota had just over 200,000 acres of CRP in buffer practices at various stages of their 10-15 year contracts, some soon to expire. The RIM Buffer program served as a complement to other programs to secure these expiring acres. ",2011-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Tabor,Hoek,BWSR,"1400 East Lyon Street., PO Box 267",Marshall,MN,56258,507-537-7260,tabor.hoek@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-buffers-wildlife-water,,,,
2956,"Northeast Minnesota White Cedar Plant Community Restoration",2012,125000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04r","$125,000 for the first year and $125,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to assess the decline of northern white cedar plant communities in northeast Minnesota, prioritize cedar sites for restoration, and provide cedar restoration training to local units of government.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,125000,,,1.59,BWSR,"State Government"," PROJECT OVERVIEW Northern white cedar wetland plant communities provide a number of specialized habitat functions, including winter refuge for deer and other wildlife, thermal buffering for brook trout streams, and critical habitat for songbirds and other unique wildlife such as martens and fishers. However, these plant communities have been declining in Minnesota for decades mostly as a result of development impacts. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is using this appropriation to try to improve the quantity and quality of white cedar wetland plant communities in Minnesota. Efforts will include assessing existing white cedar communities to prioritize sites for restoration and then providing training and demonstration of restoration and re-vegetation techniques for local natural resource managers. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS Project Background: Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) has been declining in Minnesota for decades. White cedar provides ecologically diverse plant communities and critical wildlife habitat and wetland functions. Project Goals:Reverse decline of white cedar plant communities in Minnesota.Improve quantity and quality of white cedar plant communities.Methods: Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) established seven experimental white cedar restorations and reference sites in Beltrami, Koochiching, St. Louis, and Lake Counties. Experimental treatments were designed by Dr. Rod Chimner and evaluated use of cedar seedlings, transplants, seeding and natural regeneration. Protection from browsing by wildlife was by rigid tree protectors and wire mesh enclosures. (See attached technical Report). Results: Evaluation/Prioritization of White Cedar Restoration Sites: Goal: Evaluate 100 white cedar sites for restoration/preservation. Results: 132 sites were evaluated in Aitkin, Koochiching, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, Cook and Beltrami Counties. Establishment of Demonstration Sites: Goal: 400 acres restored/preserved. Results: 7 sites (485 acres) established in Beltrami, Koochiching, St. Louis and Lake County. Groundwater monitoring wells installed. Training Resource Managers Goal: Train 30 land managers. Results: Two training sessions with 66 trained. Project Findings:Many white cedar swamps are degraded and need restoration.Major disturbances were roads, ditches and herbivory.Most harvested cedar sites have not regenerated back to cedar, but were replaced by tag alder/balsam fir/red maple.Largest single factor affecting cedar survival was hydrological conditions.Site level hydrological conditions altered by roads may end up explaining tree growth and mortality.Project Significance: Northern White cedar provides unique wetland functions including:Thermal winter cover for white tailed deer.Critical habitat for pine marten, bear, fisher, songbirds.Provides thermal buffering for cold water fisheries (brook trout streams).",,"FINAL REPORT",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Dale,Krystosek,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","701 Minnesota Ave, Ste 234",Bemidji,MN,56601,"(218) 755-2603",dale.krystosek@state.mn.us,"Education/Outreach/Engagement, Planning, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, Pine, St. Louis, Wadena",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northeast-minnesota-white-cedar-plant-community-restoration,,,,
2956,"Northeast Minnesota White Cedar Plant Community Restoration",2013,125000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04r","$125,000 for the first year and $125,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to assess the decline of northern white cedar plant communities in northeast Minnesota, prioritize cedar sites for restoration, and provide cedar restoration training to local units of government.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,125000,,,1.58,BWSR,"State Government"," PROJECT OVERVIEW Northern white cedar wetland plant communities provide a number of specialized habitat functions, including winter refuge for deer and other wildlife, thermal buffering for brook trout streams, and critical habitat for songbirds and other unique wildlife such as martens and fishers. However, these plant communities have been declining in Minnesota for decades mostly as a result of development impacts. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is using this appropriation to try to improve the quantity and quality of white cedar wetland plant communities in Minnesota. Efforts will include assessing existing white cedar communities to prioritize sites for restoration and then providing training and demonstration of restoration and re-vegetation techniques for local natural resource managers. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS Project Background: Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) has been declining in Minnesota for decades. White cedar provides ecologically diverse plant communities and critical wildlife habitat and wetland functions. Project Goals:Reverse decline of white cedar plant communities in Minnesota.Improve quantity and quality of white cedar plant communities.Methods: Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) established seven experimental white cedar restorations and reference sites in Beltrami, Koochiching, St. Louis, and Lake Counties. Experimental treatments were designed by Dr. Rod Chimner and evaluated use of cedar seedlings, transplants, seeding and natural regeneration. Protection from browsing by wildlife was by rigid tree protectors and wire mesh enclosures. (See attached technical Report). Results: Evaluation/Prioritization of White Cedar Restoration Sites: Goal: Evaluate 100 white cedar sites for restoration/preservation. Results: 132 sites were evaluated in Aitkin, Koochiching, Itasca, St. Louis, Lake, Cook and Beltrami Counties. Establishment of Demonstration Sites: Goal: 400 acres restored/preserved. Results: 7 sites (485 acres) established in Beltrami, Koochiching, St. Louis and Lake County. Groundwater monitoring wells installed. Training Resource Managers Goal: Train 30 land managers. Results: Two training sessions with 66 trained. Project Findings:Many white cedar swamps are degraded and need restoration.Major disturbances were roads, ditches and herbivory.Most harvested cedar sites have not regenerated back to cedar, but were replaced by tag alder/balsam fir/red maple.Largest single factor affecting cedar survival was hydrological conditions.Site level hydrological conditions altered by roads may end up explaining tree growth and mortality.Project Significance: Northern White cedar provides unique wetland functions including:Thermal winter cover for white tailed deer.Critical habitat for pine marten, bear, fisher, songbirds.Provides thermal buffering for cold water fisheries (brook trout streams).",,"FINAL REPORT",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Dale,Krystosek,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","701 Minnesota Ave, Ste 234",Bemidji,MN,56601,"(218) 755-2603",dale.krystosek@state.mn.us,"Education/Outreach/Engagement, Planning, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, Pine, St. Louis, Wadena",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northeast-minnesota-white-cedar-plant-community-restoration,,,,
14352,"Prioritizing Conservation Implementation in the Mississippi Headwaters",2012,100000,"Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(b) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for targeted local resource protection and enhancement grants. The board shall give priority consideration to projects and practices that complement, supplement, or exceed current state standards for protection, enhancement, and restoration of water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that protect groundwater from degradation. Of this amount, at least $1,500,000 each year is for county SSTS implementation ","Water quality trend analysis along the river, critical area identification and implementation strategy identification. Coordinated dataset of Geographic Information Systems analysis of land use along the project corridor. Integration of implementation strategies into County Comprehensive Local Water Management Plans. Increased future coordination and effective cooperation between the MHB and member counties ","Data Collection Summary: - GIS data from all eight counties. - Discussions with and/or have received data from DNR fisheries, DNR Ecological Services, Mississippi Parkway Commission, Minnesota Land Trust, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, MN Department of Agriculture/Health, MPCA, Camp Ripley, U.S Census Bureau, and others. - Overall, it is estimated that over 90% of the readily available data has been collected. Data Analysis: There are a number of map overlays that we will be generating. Some of the potential overlays that we are envisioning at this point include: - Public vs. Private Land - Existing Conservation Easements - Population Density & Growth Patterns - Feedlots - Ecological Sensitive Areas - Impaired / Infested Waters - Slope Comparison - Wetland / Upland Area Analysis will be conducted both at the catchment level (which is the smallest watershed unit available) and within the MHB corridor. ",,35000,"The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources. ",100000,3350,,1.11,"Mississippi Headwaters Board","Local/Regional Government","The 400-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from its headwaters at Lake Itasca to Morrison County near Little Falls is the focus of this project. Working in cooperation with the eight member counties, this project will develop implementation plans and strategies geared specifically for the Mississippi River and incorporate them into the individual County Comprehensive Local Water Plans. These recommendations will be for specific strategies, often crossing county boundaries for implementation. The Headwaters project will gather existing water quality data to determine river water quality over time. Electronically available land use information will be gathered and coordinated among all eight counties along the river. Together, this information will help identify two main types of areas along the river where water quality is showing degradation, and areas that are critical to long-term water quality protection. With this type of priority information in hand, the MHB and the member counties can coordinate funding strategies for targeted, effective implementation of conservation practices that take advantage of future Clean Water Land and Legacy funding opportunities as well as providing greater coordination among the counties on planning and applying existing land use authority. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Pam,"Kichler ","Mississippi Headwaters Board","Land Services Building, 322 Laurel Street",Brainerd,MN,56401,"(218) 824-1307 ",Pam.Kichler@co.crow-wing.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Morrison",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prioritizing-conservation-implementation-mississippi-headwaters,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section;","The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service;","Nicole Clapp",Yes
14330,"Reducing Nitrates in the Sand Plain Aquifers of Wadena County",2012,91305,"Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.","Low Pressure Conversion on 6 irrigation systems and Irrigation Management on 6 fields - Central Sand Plains Aqufiers. Proposed Reductions: 7,636 lbs/year Nitrogen","Final pollution reduction estimates: 4649 lbs/yr nitrate, ",,23000,"The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources. ",91305,3600,,0.16,"Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District","Local/Regional Government","A large portion of Wadena County has been identified as having a high or moderate probability of elevated nitrate concentrations. With almost all of the residents in Wadnea County getting there drinking water from groundwater sources, this issue is a top priority to the county. Through this project, nitrates and other water soluble contaminants leacing into sensitive sand plain aquifers will be reduced by providing cost-share incentives to encourage irrigation producers to convert high or medium pressure irrigation systems to low pressure systems. Technical assistance will be provided to producers to manage the application of irrigation through an irrigation scheduling program. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Darren,Newville,"Wadena Soil and Water Conservation District","4 Alfres St NE",Wadena,MN,56482,"(218) 631-3195 x3",darren.newville@mn.nacdnet.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Wadena,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/reducing-nitrates-sand-plain-aquifers-wadena-county,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section; ","The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service; ","Nicole Clapp",No
2974,"Reinvest in MN Wetlands Reserve Acq. & Restoration Program Partnership",2012,1645000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 09d","$1,645,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore wetlands and associated upland habitat in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Wetlands Reserve Program. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,1645000,,,4.68,BWSR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Wetlands Reserve Program restores wetlands and grasslands through the purchase of permanent conservation easements on privately owned land. The easements limit future land use and put conservation plans in place for future management. The Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources is using this appropriation to accelerate the RIM Wetlands Reserve Program resulting in additional permanently protected wetlands and grasslands throughout the state. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) - Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) partnership is a local-state-federal partnership delivered locally by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), and county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). The goal of the RIM-WRP partnership is to protect land with perpetual conservation easements and restore high quality wetlands and native grassland in order to maximize wetland functions and values and optimize wildlife habitat. For this particular project, ENTRF funds were used to secure permanent conservation easements via the RIM-WRP partnership as part of a larger effort to protect and restore the drained Crooked Lake basin in Douglas County, MN. The Crooked Lake Restoration project is a multi-partner project that aims to restore the drained shallow lake bed, which prior to its drainage in the early 1900s was home to diverse populations of aquatic invertebrates and provided thousands of acres of critical wildlife habitat. Project outcomes include reduced nutrient loading and sedimentation to nearby (impaired) Lake Osakis and improved water quality throughout the Sauk River watershed. The Crooked Lake restoration project was deemed a Federal priority in 2011 by USDA under the Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI). Led by both the Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Sauk River Watershed District and with the cooperation of USDA NRCS, BWSR, Ducks Unlimited, and many other local, state, and federal partners, the Crooked Lake Project evolved over the past decade. Primary goals to restore this shallow lake for wildlife and water quality purposes have been at the forefront. The proposed pool elevation (1334.0'), along with adjacent upland makes up the project boundary. Scoring criteria was developed that had the highest priority applications being those located within the pool and secondary priority was then directed at the associated adjacent land to the pool. ENTRF funds were used to protect 630.7 acres with perpetual conservation easements on which 586 acres of wetlands and 45 acres of associated upland/grassland will be restored, providing multiple ecological and wildlife benefits and assisting with local water quality goals. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION Public outreach for this project was conducted at the local level by Douglas SWCD, local NRCS staff, and other program partners. SWCD staff held public meetings to raise awareness of this project and to educate landowners about the public and ecological benefits of restoring the drained lake bed. SWCD staff also met with landowners in the project area one-on-one to discuss the options/benefits of enrolling in either the RIM-WRP or WREP conservation easement options available in the project area. More information about the RIM-WRP program can be found online at http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/easements/RIM-WRP/. The ENTRF funded RIM-WRP easements (as with all RIM and RIM-WRP easements) can be viewed by the public via the BWSR webmap located at http://maps.bwsr.state.mn.us/rimonline/.",,"FINAL REPORT",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Karli,Tyma,"Board of Water and Soil Resources","520 Lafayette Rd N","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 296-2570",karli.tyma@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement, Technical Assistance","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/reinvest-mn-wetlands-reserve-acq-restoration-program-partnership,,,,
2545,"Reinvest in Minnesota Wetlands Reserve Program Partnership, Phase 3",2012,13000000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(a)","$13,000,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore wetlands and associated upland habitat in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Wetlands Reserve Program. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $112,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of monitoring and enforcement activities. ",,"Protect in easement 1,890 acres of Wetlands and 3,669 acres of Prairies ",,20800000,"federal WRP funds ",13000000,,,3.8,"Baord of Water & Soil Resources","State Government","The RIM-WRP Partnership permanently protected 5,559 acres of priority wetlands and associated upland native grassland wildlife habitat via perpetual conservation easements on 60 sites and leveraged over $11 million of federal Wetlands Reserve Program funds.",,"The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) –Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Partnership accelerated the restoration and protection of approximately 6,000 acres of previously drained wetlands and associated upland native grassland wildlife habitat complexes via permanent conservation easements. The goal of the RIM-WRP Partnership was to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, while optimizing wildlife habitat on every acre enrolled in the partnership. The RIM-WRP partnership combined Minnesota's RIM Reserve conservation easement program and the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Combining RIM Reserve and WRP allowed OHF to leverage Federal Farm Bill conservation dollars to Minnesota. Utilizing both programs resulted in competitive payment rates to landowners and sharing of the costs associated with perpetual easement acquisition and restoration by both the federal and state programs. The RIM-WRP Partnership held one to two joint meetings per year to provide program oversight and guidance and to establish payment rates for upcoming sign-ups. Specifically, the RIM-WRP Partnership used the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), located in Fergus Falls, to develop a GIS Wildlife Habitat Potential Model that was used with the WRP and RIM Reserve programs’ environmental evaluation. In addition, the RIM-WRP Partnership developed the Minnesota Wetland Restoration Evaluation Worksheet which was used to evaluate each easement application on its potential to restore wetland functions and values along with optimum wildlife habitat benefits. RIM-WRP was offered statewide but had a priority focus in the ecological provinces of the state that have experienced significant losses of wetland and associated prairies. It was delivered by local NRCS staff, local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff and assisted by program staff from both NRCS and the Board of Water andSoil Resources (BWSR). Since the SWCD is responsible for the local delivery of the RIM Reserve program to private landowners on behalf of the State of Minnesota, they were ideally suited to work in concert with their local NRCS staff to efficiently and effectively deliver the RIM-WRP partnership. Once an easement is acquired NRCS is responsible for maintenance, inspection and monitoring during the life of their 30-year WRP easement. The state of Minnesota assumes sole responsibility via its RIM Reserve easement once the 30-year WRP easement has expired. BWSR partners with local SWCDs to carry-out oversight, monitoring and inspection of its conservation easements. The RIM-WRP Partnership demonstrated that the State of Minnesota can cooperatively work with a federal partner (NRCS) and through a local delivery system (SWCD, NRCS, and DU) to implement a permanent easement protection program that yielded thousands of acres of permanently protected wildlife habitat. Significant leverage obtained was due to the amount of easement payments, conservation plan payments, and other costs the NRCS contributed to this partnership. The NRCS made the bulk of the easement payment portion through 30-year WRP Easement acquisition, while BWSR paid an additional portion for the Permanent RIM Easement. NRCS paid a high percentage of the restoration costs for these easements, with RIM picking up the remaining costs. The use of NRCS Practice Standards, along with BWSR's Native Vegetation Guidelines led to very high diversity mixes being seeded. The level of wetland restoration was dependent on restorable extent that would not impact lands outside the easement area. BWSR & NRCS evaluated restoration extent during our scoring review to ensure restoration was actually feasible, then followed up with site analysis and surveys. We enrolled 60 permanent conservation easements totaling 5,559 acres of wetland grassland wildlife habitat complexes. These restored wetlands and native grassland complexes will provide critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wetland dependent wildlife species in Minnesota. Wetlands and adjacent grasslands provide habitat for waterfowl, pheasants, deer and non-game species, some that are threatened or endangered. As of 8/21/18 42 easements have been restored and 18 are in the restoration process. BWSR and the NRCS are committed to seeing all restorations through to ensure all sites provide beneficial habitat. Due to delays with easement processing, restoration was also delayed in several cases. BWSR is held to the statutory requirement that requires restoration of the easements we acquire. This restoration includes establishment of acceptable vegetation, if the current cover does not adequately meet site goals. Note that due to LSOHC database architecture and migration of this old project into the ""new"" LSOHC database amended goals are not reflected in the ""original"" budget and output columns of this final report.",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Bill ",Penning,BWSR,"520 Lafayette Road",St.Paul,MN,55155,651-297-1894,bill.penning@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Statewide,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/reinvest-minnesota-wetlands-reserve-program-partnership-phase-3,,,,
2547,"Shallow Lake Shoreland Protection: Wild Rice Lakes",2012,1891000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(c )","$1,891,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire wild rice lake shoreland habitat in fee and as permanent conservation easements as follows: $500,000 to the Department of Natural Resources; $1,100,000 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources; and $291,000 to Ducks Unlimited. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment 10.1 plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $18,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.",,"Protected 1,210 acres of wild rice lake shoreland habitat",,11800,"DU private in-kind staff funds",1640800,600,,1.2,"DNR, Ducks Unlimited and BWSR","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This pilot program protected 1,210 acres of wild rice lake shoreland habitat in the Northern Forest Section by securing 14 permanent RIM conservation easements and four fee-title acquisitions, surpassing our goal of 700 acres, and doing so $250,202 under budget.",,"This initial Phase 1 program was intended to protect sensitive wild rice lake shorelands and prevent shoreline development that could degrade wild rice lake ecology. The keystone feature of this initial pilot program was the launch a new state RIM easement program for wild rice lake shoreland properties intended to buffer and protect sensitive wild rice lake shorelines and limit development. Also, this initial program featured a unique partnership among local, county, state and federal agencies all working together to protect key parcels through a combination of conservation easements and fee-title land acquisitions. The Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) worked closely with northeastern Minnesota County Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to develop and implement the new RIM conservation easement program for wild rice lakes, which secured 14 RIM easements and protected 821 acres. Due to several landowners canceling their RIM easement applications after the appropriation adjustment availability date, $98,044 of easement acquisition funding, $2,000 of easement stewardship funding, and $112 of personnel money was unspent by BWSR at the end of the project, and BWSR returned $100,156 to the OHF. However, this new RIM easement program for wild rice lakes was successfully launched and is now fully programmatic and ongoing, and has received additional OHF funding since this initial pilot phase. DU also attempted to purchase conservation easements on two parcels of land on wild rice lakes too, but those efforts did not succeed due to landowner unwillingness to continue with the DU easement process. Therefore, DU amended the grant budget to move easement grant funds to fee-title land purchase, and successfully appraised and purchased a 28-acre parcel of land on Moose Lake in St. Louis County in fee-title. This key parcel was then transferred it to the U.S. Forest Service for inclusion in the Superior National Forest and long-term management and public outdoor recreational use. DU also coordinated this pilot program and submitted all grant status reports. DU spent $143,262 but left $147,738 unspent to be returned to the OHF. Minnesota DNR successfully purchased a key 286-acre parcel in fee-title on Yaeger Lake in Wadena County for inclusion in the Yaeger state Wildlife Management Area (WMA). DNR also subawarded OHF grant funds to Cass County to purchase two parcels of 35 acres on Lake George and 40 acres on Lower Hand Lake that were for sale and were appropriate additions to county land holdings in the area and help consolidate Cass County forest management and land ownership. Together, DNR and Cass County purchased 361 acres in fee-title, spent $497,691, and turned back $2,309 to the OHF. Overall, 14 RIM easements were secured that protect 821 acres, and four key parcels of land for sale totaling 389 acres were purchased in fee-title where RIM easements were not of interest to private landowners, for a total of 1,209 acres protected including about four miles of shoreline protected through this initial pilot grant to protect wild rice lake shoreland. This 1,210-acre land protection achievement far surpasses our goal of 700 acres, and was accomplished well-under under budget. Collectively, partners spent $1,640,798 of the $1,891,000 appropriated for this initial phase of the program, and turned back $250,202 to the OHF. This new wild rice lake protection partnership program continues today, with the Minnesota BWSR working closely with SWCDs to assist private landowners and implement additional RIM easements on wild rice lakes with subsequent OHF grants and phases of this initial program. Partners also routinely discuss other land protection needs around wild rice lakes with Minnesota DNR field staff, and work together to ensure efforts are make to purchase key tracts on important wild rice lakes when they come up for sale and are appropriate for public land ownership and management.",2011-07-20,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road",Alexandria,MN,56308,320-762-9916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, St. Louis, Wadena","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-shoreland-protection-wild-rice-lakes,,,,
14282,"Stabilizing Bassett Creek",2012,217500,"Laws of Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.","Restore and protect a 3,100-foot reach of Bassett Creek, including 9 individual sites where significant erosion is occurring. Proposed Reductions: 60lbs/year of Phosphorus and 52 tons/year of Sediment","This project reported a final estimated pollution reduction of 8 tons/yr sediment (TSS).",,638500,"The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources. ",217500,500,,0.12,"Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission","Local/Regional Government","Eroding streambanks along Bassett Creek are reducing the water quality of the creek and the Mississippi River. This project consists of stabilizing a 3,100 foot reach of Bassett Creek mostly located within Theodore Wirth Regional Park. The proposed stabilization measures will result in an estimated reduction of 52 tons of sediment and 60 pounds phosphorus per year. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Karen,Chandler,"Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission","4700 West 77th Street",Edina,MN,55435,"(952) 832-2813",kchandler@barr.com,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,Hennepin,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/stabilizing-bassett-creek,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section;","The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service;","Nicole Clapp",No
14334,"Stabilizing Shorelands and Stream Banks in the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed",2012,120000,"Minnesota 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7","(a) $13,750,000 the first year and $13,750,000 the second year are for pollution reduction and restoration grants to local government units and joint powers organizations of local government units to protect surface water and drinking water; to keep water on the land; to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect groundwater and drinking water, including feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream bank, stream channel, and shoreline restoration projects. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans.","Rain barrel program - First-tier properties around all lakes and residents of all four cities will be eligible for Shoreland restoration projects - Monongalia and Nest Lakes - Kandiyohi County 2 Streambank restoration projects - Middle Fork Crow River - Meeker County. Proposed Reductions: 233 lbs/year Phosphorus and 273 tons/year Sediment","107 watershed residents installed rain barrels; 8 Shoreland restoration projects; 2 Streambank restoration projects Estimated Reductions: 149 pounds per year phosphorus and 138 tons of sediment per year. ",,41313,"The source of additional funds varies from project to project, but generally consists of federal, local and non-public sources. ",120000,3420,,0.15,"Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District","Local/Regional Government","This project contains several activities that will implement effective, shovel ready conservation practices on multiple water bodies. The goal is to reduce the erosion impacting stream bank stability. Three initiatives will be implemented, including the installation of four shoreland restoration/stabilization projects, completion of two stream bank stabilization projects on the Middle Fork Crow River and a rain barrel program. An education program will provide outreach to lake and city residents throughout the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed. ",,,2012-01-01,2014-12-31,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Chad,Anderson,"Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District","174 Lake Ave N, Suite 2, PO Box 8",Spicer,MN,56288,"(320) 796-0888",chad@mfcrow.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources",,"Kandiyohi, Meeker, Pope",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/stabalizing-shorelands-and-stream-banks-middle-fork-crow-river-watershed,"Wayne Zellmer -BWSR Grants Coordinator; Matt Drewitz -BWSR South Region Clean Water Specialist; Art Persons -MDH Planning Supervisor Drinking Water Protection; Jeff Hrubes -BWSR North Region Clean Water Specialist; Marcey Westrick -BWSR Metro Clean Water Specialist; Julie Westerlund -DNR Clean Water Coordinator; Robert L. Sip -MDA Environmental Policy Specialist; Anna Kerr -MPCA -Stormwater / TMDL Coordinator; Nick Proulx -DNR Central Region Clean Water Legacy Specialist; Karen Evens - MPCA -Watershed Projects Manager; Joshua Stamper -MDA Research Scientist, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management; Norman R. Mofjeld -MDA Hydrologist P.G. Well Management Section; ","The 20-member BWSR board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. Members are appointed by the governor of the state of Minnesota consistent with Minnesota Statutes 103B.101. Board members at the time the grant was made were: County Commissioner Appointees: Quentin Fairbanks; Tom Loveall; Brian Napstad; Soil and Water Conservation District Appointees: Paul Langseth, Louise Smallidge and Bob Burandt; Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization Appointees: Gene Tiedemann, LuAnn Tolliver and Todd Foster; Citizen Appointees: Paul Brutlag ; Gerald Van Amburg; John Meyer; Cities & Townships: Sandy Hooker -Township; Christy Jo Fogarty -Metro City; Keith Mykleseth -Non-Metro City; Agency: Chris Elvrum - Minnesota Department of Health; Rebecca Flood - Pollution Control Agency; Tom Landwehr - Department of Natural Resources; Matt Wohlman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Faye Sleeper - Minnesota Extension Service; ","Nicole Clapp",No