Shoreland Stewardship
3/5/12
Quick Facts
Funding Amount:
$1,220,000
Source:
Clean Water Fund
Fiscal Year:
2012
Legal Citation / Subdivision:
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 6, Art. 2, Sec. 6(g)
Status:
In Progress Activity Type:
Preservation, Technical Assistance, Restoration/Enhancement, Demonstration/Pilot Project, Education/Outreach/EngagementCounties Affected
Statewide
About the Issue
Healthy shorelands and watersheds are critical for healthy lakes. The shoreland - the area where the land meets the water - is home to the majority of plants and animals in the lake ecosystem. Trees, shrubs, and deep-rooted native grasses and wildflowers prevent erosion of the shoreline and trap dirt, excess phosphorus, and other pollution from entering the lake. However, many of our shoreland ecosystems have been severely degraded by replacement of native vegetation with turf grass or crops. These land uses, both on the shoreline and in the watershed (the area of land that drains to the water body) strongly influence the health of our lakes, streams and wetlands. By working with people that make or influence decisions about how the land is treated, we provide learning opportunities and technical help for restoration and protection of shorelands and watersheds.
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)
In FY 12, DNR will provide assistance to local governments, shoreland and woodland owners on clean water restoration and protection issues.
DNR will expand the number of people working to promote strategies that benefit clean water as well as habitat and other ecosystem values through education, technical help, and partnership. This work will use natural resource information and conservation targeting tools to maximize conservation investments by matching the right strategies in the right places. DNR will help local governments design, get funding, and implement clean water strategies.
DNR Foresters will work with property owners in priority areas within the central lakes region to write stewardship plans and promote enrollment in land protection programs.
In FY11, DNR hydrologists will continue the workshops and implementation projects started in the south and east parts of the state in FY10. Fisheries staff in southwestern Minnesota will partner with the Blue Earth Soil and Water Conservation District and to promote aquatic habitat conservation practices with local landowners. DNR will also adapt the CD-Rom "Restore Your Shore" into a new interactive website to make this useful information accessible to a broader audience.
In FY10, DNR will provide assistance to local governments and shoreland owners on clean water restoration and protection issues. This work will be done primarily in two areas of the state. In the south, DNR a hydrologist will lead the development and presentation of a workshop series, "Our Water, Our Choices" for citizens and local officials, and work with local groups on clean water projects. In the St. Croix Basin, a hydrologist will work partners and local communities to promote and implemement best management practices for clean water.
In FY11, DNR hydrologists will continue the workshops and implementation projects started in the south and east parts of the state in FY10. Fisheries staff in southwestern Minnesota will partner with the Blue Earth Soil and Water Conservation District and to promote aquatic habitat conservation practices with local landowners. DNR will also adapt the CD-Rom "Restore Your Shore" into a new interactive website to make this useful information accessible to a broader audience.
In FY10, DNR will provide assistance to local governments and shoreland owners on clean water restoration and protection issues. This work will be done primarily in two areas of the state. In the south, DNR a hydrologist will lead the development and presentation of a workshop series, "Our Water, Our Choices" for citizens and local officials, and work with local groups on clean water projects. In the St. Croix Basin, a hydrologist will work partners and local communities to promote and implemement best management practices for clean water.
Measurable Outcome(s)
In FY11, hydrologists and fisheries staff worked with local governments and property owners on clean water restoration and protection issues in the south and east parts of the state: *Presented clean water strategies information at 9 workshops, tours, and other events, including 6 "Our Water, Our Choices" workshops led by DNR and attended by 93 people, including local officials. *Participated in St. Croix MIDS (Minimal Impact Design Standards) pilot steering committee. This project will help cities establish policies and programs that will give them a path to compliance with, and a method for calculating credits for, certain state stormwater requirements. *Assisted with funding coordination, design, or installation of 10 restoration projects, including 4 river restoration projects, 2 raingardens, one wetland restoration, two native prairies, and a high velocity fish barrier. *Adapted the CD-Rom "Restore Your Shore" to an internet-based application that allows users to interactively explore ways that shoreline property owners can create, enhance, or protect healthy shorelines for habitat and clean water. The website includes step by step instructions for shoreland restoration and an online interactive plant selection tool. * Worked with local governments to provide information, guidance, and technical assistance to landowners regarding conservation assistance, easements and conservation projects. This work resulted in permanently protecting 348.8 acres of riparian land and floodplains through conservation easements.
In FY10, DNR hydrologists provided assistance to local governments and shoreland owners on clean water restoration and protection issues: * Presented clean water strategies information at 22 workshops, tours, and other events, including 10 "Our Water, Our Choices" workshops led by DNR and attended by 257 people, including local officials. * Worked with partners to design and install 3 raingardens to capture runoff and prevent downstream pollution. *Provided technical assistance and input to local partners on clean water strategies including agricultural best management practices and municipal stormwater infrastructure. * Worked with Crow Organization of Waters on two river restorations near Forest City and Hutchinson. * Coordinated and executed the High Island Lake drawdown in Sibley County with a collaborative of lake association, local, and federal partners. * Restored two lakeshore lots on Lake Jennie as part of a hands-on shoreline restoration workshop. * Developed and distributed informational materials about shorelines, raingardens, and agricultural best management practices.
Status:
In Progress
Start Date:
July 2009
Legal Citation / Subdivision:
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 6, Art. 2, Sec. 6(g) Appropriation Language
$1,725,000 the first year and $1,725,000 the second year are for shoreland stewardship, TMDL implementation coordination, providing technical assistance to the Drainage Work Group and Drainage Management Team, and maintaining and updating data. Of this amount, $235,000 each year is for maintaining and updating watershed boundaries and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data with watershed modeling and $40,000 each year is for a biomonitoring database. TMDL implementation coordination efforts shall be focused on major watersheds with TMDL implementation plans, including forested watersheds.
Funding Amount:
$1,220,000
Description of Funds:
Past Funding Amounts: || 2010-07-01 to 2011-06-30 : $250000 || 2009-07-01 to 2010-06-30 : $250000
Direct expenses:
$996,709
Administration costs:
$223,291
Number of full time equivalents funded:
9 Project Manager
Julie
Westerlund
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul
55155
651-259-5147
Email:
julie.westerlund@state.mn.us 