On May 24, 2019, the legislature adopted 65 LCCMR recommendations as recommended, provided additional funds to two recommendations and modified one other. They also added 14 additional appropriations, primarily using funds freed up ($2.94 million FY19; $7.84 million FY20) following the repeal of M.L. 2018, Chapter 214, Article 6, Section 4 appropriation bonds. On May 31, 2019, 82 appropriations were signed into law by the Governor as M.L. 2019, First Special Session, Chapter 4, Article 2, for $64,476,000 total appropriations ($149,000 FY16, $2,940,000 FY19, and $61,387,000 FY20).
When available, we have provided links to web sites related to the project. The sites linked to this page are not created, maintained, or endorsed by the LCCMR office or the Minnesota Legislature.
Bruce Carlson
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5083 |
Email: | bruce.carlson@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mbs/index.html |
Appropriation Language
$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the Minnesota biological survey to complete the statewide field surveys begun in 1987 to provide a foundation for conserving biological diversity by systematically collecting, interpreting, and delivering data on native and rare species, pollinators, and native plant communities throughout Minnesota. Any revenues generated through the publication of books or other resources created through this appropriation may be reinvested as described in the work plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources according to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Mike Davis
MN DNR
2109 North Lakeshore Drive
Lake City, MN 55041
Phone: | (651) 314-6302 |
Email: | mike.davis@state.mn.us |
Appropriation Language
$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to restore native freshwater mussel assemblages, and the ecosystem services they provide, in the Mississippi, Cedar, and Cannon Rivers and to inform the public on mussels and mussel conservation. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Reestablishing historical mussel assemblages through laboratory propagation began in 2016 at the MNDNR Center for Aquatic Mollusk Programs (CAMP). Since then, CAMP has released 9,541 sub-adult mussels from five species in three watersheds; restoring ecosystem services and enhancing Minnesota rivers with each mussel.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSMinnesota’s native mussels are critically important to aquatic ecosystems but have been lost or diminished in many water bodies. Harvest for pearls and buttons, pollution, dams, and destabilized waterways have caused mussel populations to decline dramatically, 80% of Minnesota’s species are affected. Improvements from Clean Water Act implementation, stream restoration work, and protective laws are creating opportunities to reverse this trend. However, dams that limit fish movement are still hindering mussel recolonization, because mussels rely on fish as hosts to complete their life cycle. Thus, conservation methods such as laboratory propagation and reintroduction are needed to help mussel populations recover, and ultimately, restore ecosystem benefits. CAMP has implemented this work for three watersheds in Minnesota, which were chosen based on historical records, habitat, and fish communities. We constructed several propagation systems specifically designed for juvenile recovery and culture over time, improving our success along the way. Since 2016, CAMP has produced more than 1.5 million juvenile mussels. Due to the challenges of culture, survivorship varies between species and years. Juvenile survival after 90-days ranged from 0 – 84%. Newly metamorphosed juveniles were placed into various culture containers including a recirculating system, static system, or a flow-through system. Survival rates vary between systems, and within systems. Factors such as dissolved oxygen, ammonia, pH, and conductivity are monitored throughout growing period. Overall, survival is highest in the flow-through system, however, the system requires the most person-hours per juvenile. From July 2019 until June 2021, CAMP has released 7,038 sub-adult mussels from five species in three watersheds. Since our first ENRTF grant CAMP has released more than 9,500 sub-adult mussels. Mussels will enhance water clarity and improve habitat in the Cannon, Cedar, and Mississippi Rivers for years to come.
PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATIONCAMP’s efforts to restore native freshwater mussels were featured in several news articles, including an Episode 1 of Season 3 on MN DNR Prairie Podcast. The Star Tribune and Cedar Watershed District discussed our efforts to reclaim stretches of the river with mussel populations. Moreover, CAMPs newsletters reach more than 5,000 users. Lastly, with the upcoming launch of Clam Counter App for IOS and Android platforms, a digital field guide and general information regarding mussels will be available to all smartphone users.
Matthew Etterson
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
6770 Haugen Lane
Duluth, MN 55803
Phone: | (218) 590-7029 |
Email: | metterso@d.umn.edu |
Web: | https://www.hawkridge.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory to quantify the exposure and health risk of two environmental neurotoxins to Minnesota raptors.
David E. Anderson
U.S. Geological Survey, Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and University of Minnesota
200 Hodson Hall, 1980 Folwell Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 626-1222 |
Email: | dea@umn.edu |
Web: | http://mncoopunit.cfans.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to document the movement and habitat use of Minnesota trumpeter swans to provide foundational information necessary for trumpeter swan management and conservation. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Julia Ponder
U of MN - Raptor Center
1920 Fitch Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 624-3431 |
Email: | ponde003@umn.edu |
Web: | https://www.raptor.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$350,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Raptor Center to evaluate how to best harvest timber in the boreal forest to enable wildlife with small home ranges, such as spruce grouse, to thrive in a changing landscape. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Tiffany Wolf
U of MN
495 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine, 1988 Fitch Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 625-0492 |
Email: | wolfx305@umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to identify key habitats and vectors of brainworm transmission between deer and moose that may be targeted by resource management to mitigate moose exposure to this deadly condition.
Nicholas McCann
U of MN
B52 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (763) 286-2215 |
Email: | mccan062@umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to map habitat use and diseases of urban foxes and coyotes, evaluate risks these animals may pose to people and pets, and generate information needed to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
Heather Arends
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Road Box 45
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5376 |
Email: | heather.arends@dnr.state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/aggregate_maps/index.html |
Appropriation Language
$700,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to map the aggregate resource potential for four counties and make this information available in print and electronic format to local units of government for use in planning and zoning.
Michael Joyce
U of MN - Duluth NRRI
5013 Miller Trunk Hwy
Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: | (218) 788-2656 |
Email: | joyc0073@d.umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$190,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to build, install, and evaluate den boxes as habitat enhancement for fishers and other cavity-nesting wildlife in managed forests where a lack of large trees may be threatening population survival. The final outcome for the project must include guidelines and best practices for use of den boxes for fisher habitat.
David E. Andersen
U of MN
1980 Folwell Avenue, 200 Hodson Hall
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 626-1222 |
Email: | dea@umn.edu |
Web: | http://mncoopunit.cfans.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$171,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to evaluate red-headed woodpecker survival and habitat needs and to use this data to develop and disseminate a long-term oak savanna management plan that supports red-headed woodpeckers and other oak savanna habitat-dependent species.
Nathaniel Miller
Audubon Minnesota
1 Water St. #200
St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: | (651) 739-9332 |
Email: | nmiller@audubon.org |
Web: | http://mn.audubon.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$124,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Audubon Society, Minnesota office, to establish benchmark survey sites for implementing and tracking outcomes of collaborative restoration and enhancement activities within Important Bird Areas for three bird species of conservation concern.
Joseph Bump
U of MN
FWCB 135 Skok Hall, Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 624-2255 |
Email: | bump@umn.edu |
Web: | https://fwcb.cfans.umn.edu/personnel/joseph-bump |
Appropriation Language
$199,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to determine key water habitats used by moose in northern forested regions of Minnesota, measure the effects of moose foraging on aquatic plant and fish diversity, and provide educational programming materials for the public.
Patrick Veraguth
Minnesota Association of County Surveyors
526 Willow Drive, PO Box 398
Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: | (320) 762-2964 |
Email: | patv@co.douglas.mn.us |
Web: | http://macsinfo.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$135,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Association of County Surveyors to conduct a pilot project with Grant County to remonument and certify the public land survey corners in Lawrence Township. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Barbara Lusardi
U of MN - MN Geological Survey
2609 Territorial Road
St. Paul, MN 55114
Phone: | (612) 626-5119 |
Email: | lusar001@umn.edu |
Web: | https://www.mngs.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$2,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Geological Survey, to continue producing county geologic atlases to inform management of surface water and groundwater resources. This appropriation is to complete Part A, which focuses on the properties and distribution of earth materials to define aquifer boundaries and the connection of aquifers to the land surface and surface water resources.
Paul Putzier
MN DNR
Box 25, 500 Lafayette Rd N.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5692 |
Email: | paul.putzier@state.mn.us |
Web: | http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groundwater_section/mapping |
Appropriation Language
$2,400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to continue producing county geologic atlases to inform management of surface water and groundwater resources for drinking water and other purposes. This appropriation is for Part B, which uses the geologic formations mapped in Part A of the county geologic atlases to characterize the potential water yields of aquifers and the aquifers' sensitivity to contamination.
Nicole Mattson
Minnesota Zoological Garden
13000 Zoo Blvd.
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: | (952) 431-9540 |
Email: | nicole.mattson@state.mn.us |
Web: | http://mnzoo.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$199,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Minnesota Zoological Garden to develop educational displays, interactive exhibits, and engaging online programs that summarize and share scientific findings about moose decline in Minnesota. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Rolf Weberg
U of MN - Duluth NRRI
1049 University Dr.
Duluth, MN 55812
Phone: | (218) 788-2697 |
Email: | rtweberg@d.umn.edu |
Web: | https://www.d.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$2,200,000 the first year is to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for academic and applied research through MnDRIVE at the Natural Resources Research Institute to develop and demonstrate technologies that enhance the long-term health of Minnesota's forests, extend the viability of current forest-based industries, and accelerate emerging industry opportunities. Of this amount, $500,000 is to support development of a forest optimization tool for Minnesota forest resources, $800,000 is for maintenance and expansion of the Natural Resource Atlas to statewide coverage, $400,000 is to the Minnesota Forest Resource Council for continued advancement of biochar development and application to forest health, and $500,000 is to advance emerging Minnesota technologies to produce clean syngas to drive high-value markets for forest biomass feedstocks.
Rolf Weberg
U of MN - Duluth NRRI
1049 University Dr.
Duluth, MN 55812
Phone: | (218) 788-2697 |
Email: | rtweberg@d.umn.edu |
Web: | https://www.d.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$883,000 the first year is to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for academic and applied research through MnDRIVE at the Natural Resources Research Institute to develop and demonstrate technologies that enhance long-term Minnesota mineral opportunities. Of this amount:
(1) $300,000 is to support continued applied research to advance new technologies to improve water quality;
(2) $275,000 is to initiate the characterization of western Mesabi iron resources and development of next-generation Minnesota iron products;
(3) $158,000 is to develop emerging hydrometallurgy technology to support high-value mineral product development in Minnesota; and
(4) $150,000 is to support efforts of the Natural Resources Research Institute to accelerate demonstration of high-capacity, cost-effective energy storage using Minnesota's historical auxiliary mine lands.
This research must be conducted in consultation with the Minerals Coordinating Committee established under Minnesota Statutes, section 93.0015.
Jessica Peterson
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5130 |
Email: | jessica.d.petersen@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pollinators/index.html |
Appropriation Language
$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to continue to assess the current status and distribution of native bee pollinators in Minnesota by expanding surveys into the coniferous-deciduous forest region of Minnesota and facilitating interagency collaboration and public outreach on pollinators.
Peter Larsen
MN DNR
300B Veterinary Science Building
1971 Commonwealth Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 626-1694 |
Email: | plarsen@umn.edu |
Web: | https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/bio/veterinary-and-biomedical-scie/peter-larsen |
Appropriation Language
$1,804,000 in fiscal year 2019 is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop diagnostic testing for chronic wasting disease that can be used to perform animal testing and environmental monitoring. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
William Arnold
U of MN
500 Pillsbury Dr. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: | (625) 625-8582 |
Email: | arnol032@umn.edu |
Web: | https://williamarnold.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$350,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to quantify the occurrence of neonicotinoid insecticides in Minnesota's surface waters and groundwaters and assess if the insecticides are contributing to the formation of algal blooms.
William Arnold
U of MN
500 Pillsbury Dr. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: | (625) 625-8582 |
Email: | arnol032@umn.edu |
Web: | https://williamarnold.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$415,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to determine how to best remove harmful fluorinated pharmaceuticals during wastewater treatment and to develop alternate versions of these compounds that are medically useful but environmentally harmless. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Laura Babcock
U of MN
200 Oak St. SE, Suite 350-1
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: | (612) 624-4678 |
Email: | lbabcock@umn.edu |
Web: | http://www.mntap.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to provide technical assistance for industrial facilities to optimize their processes, reduce nutrient loads to wastewater treatment facilities, and improve water quality. The economic savings and water quality improvements achieved through this work must be documented.
Kathryn Schreiner
U of MN - Duluth
2205 E 5th St
Duluth, MN 55812
Phone: | (218) 726-8680 |
Email: | kschrein@d.umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to quantify the amount, type, and source of microplastics in the water, sediment, and fishes of a range of Minnesota lakes.
Paige Novak
U of MN
122 Civil Engineering Building, 500 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: | (612) 626-9846 |
Email: | novak010@umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$325,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to assess cold weather nitrogen cycling and different aeration methods to improve the efficacy of Minnesota's underperforming wastewater treatment ponds.
Raymond Hozalski
U of MN
500 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: | (612) 626-9650 |
Email: | hozalski@umn.edu |
Web: | http://www.cege.umn.edu/directory/faculty-directory/hozalski.html |
Appropriation Language
$345,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to reduce exposure of Minnesotans to a toxic, cancer-causing chemical by identifying key pollutant precursor sources in the upper Mississippi River watershed and assessing options to reduce the formation of this chemical during drinking water treatment.
Matt Simcik
U of MN
MMC 807, 420 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: | (612) 626-6269 |
Email: | msimcik@umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop methods for treatment plants to remove harmful polyfluoroalkyl substances and microplastics from wastewater before the wastewater is released to the environment. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Scott Kyser
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 757-2665 |
Email: | scott.kyser@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.pca.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to evaluate and summarize current technologies to help municipal wastewater plants in the Lake Superior basin save money and reduce mercury pollution to Lake Superior and other Minnesota waters.
Bo Hu
U of MN
1390 Eckles Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 625-4215 |
Email: | bhu@umn.edu |
Web: | https://bbe.umn.edu/directory/faculty/bohu |
Appropriation Language
$360,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to collaborate with the Department of Transportation to evaluate potential native plants that can be grown on roadsides to adsorb and remove toxic salts accumulated from deicing roads and assess uses for the harvested material.
Brett Barney
U of MN
1390 Eckles Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 626-8751 |
Email: | bbarney@umn.edu |
Web: | http://barneybioproductslab.cfans.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$225,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop technologies that use microbes to convert plastic waste into useful chemical compounds and fuels, lowering the likelihood that these materials end up in the environment. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Dennis Fuchs
Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District
110 Second Street S. Suite 128
Waite Park, MN 56387
Phone: | (320) 345-6477 |
Email: | dennis.fuchs@mn.nacdnet.net |
Appropriation Language
$440,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District to reduce nitrate leaching on sandy soils of central Minnesota by developing water-efficient production methods, supply chains, and end-use markets for three perennial crops: Kernza, prairie species, and alfalfa. Net income from the sale of products or assets developed or acquired through this project may be reinvested as described in the work plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources according to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Keith Olander
Central Lakes College - Ag and Energy Ctr
1830 Airport Road
Staples, MN 56479
Phone: | (763) 257-2881 |
Email: | kolander@clcmn.edu |
Web: | http://www.clcmn.edu/ag-energy-center/ |
Appropriation Language
$741,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System for Central Lakes College to demonstrate conservation benefits of using camelina and kura clover as continuous living cover with corn-soybean rotations and to develop secondary markets to increase farmer adoption of this practice for protecting water quality in vulnerable wellhead protection areas. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
John Nieber
U of MN
1390 Eckles Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 625-6724 |
Email: | nieber@umn.edu |
Web: | https://bbe.umn.edu/directory/faculty/johnnieber |
Appropriation Language
$350,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop advanced water-flow and age-dating tools to improve the ability of state agencies to assess how well nitrate reduction best management practices are working in southeastern Minnesota.
Jason Ulrich
Science Museum of Minnesota - St. Croix Research Station
16910 152nd St N
Marine on St Croix, MN 55047
Phone: | (651) 433-5953 |
Email: | julrich@smm.org |
Web: | https://www.smm.org/scwrs |
Appropriation Language
$100,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Science Museum of Minnesota for the St. Croix Watershed Research Station to conduct the first statewide analysis that maps the extent of Minnesota's unprofitable cropland and estimates both the water-quality and habitat benefits of converting these lands to perennial crops and vegetation. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Chanlan Chun
U of MN - Duluth NRRI
5013 Miller Trunk Hwy
Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: | (218) 788-2613 |
Email: | chun0157@d.umn.edu |
Web: | https://scse.d.umn.edu/about/departments-and-programs/civil-engineering-department |
Appropriation Language
$162,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of using locally sourced wood chips, corncobs, and iron-bearing minerals as alternative abrasive materials to lower salt use for protecting Minnesota's water resources. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Paul Putzier
MN DNR
Box 25, 500 Lafayette Rd N.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5692 |
Email: | paul.putzier@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groundwater_section/mapping/springs.html |
Appropriation Language
$71,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to complete the Minnesota Spring Inventory that identifies, catalogs, and assists resource managers in monitoring, assessing, and protecting important and threatened statewide water springs. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Springs are natural points of groundwater discharge that provide flow for trout streams and cool water fisheries, base flow during to streams, and unique ecological habitats. Management of this resource is only possible when we know their location. The MSI project located and makes available information on over 7,200 springs.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSSprings are natural points of groundwater discharge that provide flow for trout streams and cool water fisheries, base flow during to streams, and unique ecological habitats. Management of this resource is only possible when we know their locations and characteristics. The primary objective of this project was to find unmapped springs, add the location of those new springs to the existing Minnesota Spring Inventory (MSI) and field verify and characterize as many currently mapped but unverified springs as possible.
For the project, DNR conducted field investigations of targeted parts of the state to find, characterize and map new springs locations. The existing MSI database also held ‘non-verified’ spring locations added to the database from old maps and studies and from the MSI Citizens App. DNR conducted ‘field verification’ by traveling to many of those features to confirm their existence and update the database. Approximately 350 spring locations were added to the MSI through the Citizen App.
The Covid-19 Pandemic and Minnesota’s Stay Safe at Home order limited MSI fieldwork for over twelve months of the two-year project. When restrictions were relaxed in 2021, fieldwork resumed for the MSI team and many springs and features were added the database.
Because of this project (all phases), Minnesotans benefit by having easy access to approximately 7,200 features in the MSI including a combination of field verified springs, and many likely, but non-verified spring locations. The MSI project resulted in a 76% increase in mapped springs and increased from holding verified springs in 22 counties, primarily in the southeast, to verified springs located in 71 counties.
The DNR established special MSI accounts for MPCA and SWCD field staff from the Duluth/ Northern MN region and provide guidance documents and training, allowing them to add springs directly to the MSI using the Survey 123 application.
DNR conducts dissemination through individual contacts, presentations and news releases. One example is online at St. Croix 360. Another example came from an environmental consultant in a June 2021 email:
"Can (you) help assist with information gathering regarding seeps & springs in the St Paul area. I’m working with the Capitol Region Watershed District to identify springs within their boundary, and prioritize the springs in order of level of prevalence/risk to become a public comment or threat to infrastructure."
The spring data is accessible at Minnesota Spring Inventory and GIS files are at the Minnesota Geospatial Commons, and at Showcase.
Andrew Dickhart
Carver County Water Management Organization
600 E. 4th Street
Chaska, MN, 55318
Phone: | (952) 361-1871 |
Email: | adickhart@co.carver.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/public-services/planning-water-management/water-management |
Appropriation Language
$106,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Carver County Water Management Organization to quantify water quality improvements and the cost-effectiveness of a new citizen-aided carp management method for restoring impaired lakes in Minnesota.
Troy Nemmers
City of Fairmont
100 Downtown Plaza
Fairmont, MN 56031
Phone: | (507) 238-9461 |
Email: | tnemmers@fairmont.org |
Appropriation Language
$175,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Fairmont to build and demonstrate the effectiveness of an experimental passive biological treatment system to reduce nitrates that enter the city's springtime water supply source.
Paige Novak
U of MN
122 Civil Engineering Building, 500 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: | (612) 626-9846 |
Email: | novak010@umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$1,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to determine the best way to stimulate bacteria to more quickly and completely remove industrial chlorinated pollutants from contaminated sites. On the day following final enactment, the following amounts from unobligated appropriations to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota are transferred and added to this appropriation: $75,000 in Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (l), and $74,000 in Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2, subdivision 6, paragraph (b).
John Bilotta
U of MN - Water Resources Center
173 McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 624-7708 |
Email: | bilot002@umn.edu |
Web: | https://www.wrc.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$350,000 the first year is to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, Water Resources Center, for a comprehensive study of the economic benefits of managed aquifer recharge and to make recommendations to enhance and replenish Minnesota's groundwater resources. The study must include, but is not limited to:
(1) examining the potential benefits of enhancing groundwater recharge in water-stressed areas;
(2) assessing the relationship to changing seasonality and intensity of precipitation on groundwater recharge rates;
(3) reviewing the approaches to manage recharge in geologically appropriate areas;
(4) identifying policy options, costs, and barriers to recharging groundwater; and
(5) assessing the economic returns of options for groundwater recharge.
In conducting the study, the Water Resources Center must convene a stakeholder group and provide for public participation.
Aquifer storage and recovery can be a viable technique that could be deployed safely to ensure groundwater availability and sustainability to communities in Minnesota. Treating, injecting and temporarily storing clean water in aquifers may provide a solution to meeting future demands of residents, industry and agriculture.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSSome of the more than 75% of Minnesotans who rely on groundwater may find it in short supply in the face of population, land-use and climate change. Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a technological approach to treat and inject clean water into an aquifer for temporary storage. The hydrogeological characteristics and the chemistry of the source water and aquifer impact treatment needs prior to injection and after extraction. Aquifer properties that control how water moves determine the volume and rate of water injected. This study examined four different kinds of aquifers across Minnesota with unique pressures to determine their suitability for ASR. The study findings suggest three may be suitable for ASR. The Buffalo aquifer in Moorhead has variable injection capacity and multiple sources of water for injection. Water quality issues of arsenic, sulfate, manganese, and hardness may require treatment before injection and after extraction. The Jordan aquifer in Rochester faces increased pressure from growth and nitrate contamination in agricultural areas. The wastewater treatment plant could provide adequate source water if treated. Woodbury faces pressure from increasing population and PFAS contamination of the Jordan aquifer. ASR could recharge groundwater from wastewater treatment plants and also be integrated with PFAS remediation scenarios by reinjection of treated groundwater. ASR is not recommended for the surficial sand aquifer in the Straight River Groundwater Management area in north central Minnesota because there is no feasible source of water at this time. Cost-benefit analysis combined with a sensitivity analysis of economic factors should be a component of ASR project feasibility studies. Modified state well code and a streamlined permitting path would allow more successful development and deployment of ASR. State adoption of control over Class V injection wells from the USEPA is also necessary. Improvements are needed to the state aquifer properties database.
PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATIONThis project results in two reports. First, a full-color 10 page executive summary describes the project and provides recommendations for policy leaders, professionals, and stakeholders to consider for the application of ASR to Minnesota. A full scientific report encompassing each of the individual activities, methods, data, recommendations and discussion. They are both available online at https://www.wrc.umn.edu/banking-groundwater-managed-aquifer-recharge
Throughout the term of the project, policy leaders, professionals, and stakeholders were engaged in discussions. Meetings were held with multiple agencies including the Interagency Groundwater Team and multiple presentations were given to a broad list of stakeholders including to members of the Legislature, the Environmental Quality Board, MNDNR Groundwater Management Area leaderships, DNR Groundwater Technical Analysis Workgroup, and stakeholders in each of the study areas.
The Executive Summary has been sent to all interested stakeholders and a link to the full report with an expanded table of contents has been provided for deeper review. The final report has been submitted to the LCCMR and project recommendations introduced in bill language during the 2021 legislative session.
Multiple presentations were given during professional conferences and seminar opportunities. Multiple project updates were published through the Water Resources Center and the Freshwater Society regular electronic news updates. Individual activity researchers and authors are currently writing manuscripts for professional publications.
Lori Arnold
YouthCARE MN
2701 University Ave SE, Suite 205
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: | (612) 338-1233 |
Email: | larnold@youthcaremn.org |
Web: | http://www.youthcaremn.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$237,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with YouthCare Minnesota to expand camp opportunities to more school districts and implement improved hands-on environmental education programs for economically disadvantaged youth.
Chris Knopf
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
401 N Third St, Suite 290
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: | (612) 332-9630 |
Email: | chris@friends-bwca.org |
Web: | https://www.friends-bwca.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$450,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness to connect approximately 6,500 students to the boundary waters through classroom education and wilderness canoe experiences for diverse and underserved populations across Minnesota. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Mary Hammes
Mississippi Park Connection
111 Kellogg Blvd E, Suite 105
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: | (651) 291-9119 |
Email: | mhammes@parkconnection.org |
Web: | https://parkconnection.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$199,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Mississippi Park Connection to work with Conservation Corps Minnesota, local communities, and volunteers to address the loss of ash trees to emerald ash borer by planting approximately 15,000 native trees and plants in affected areas in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Mimi Daniel
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5308 |
Email: | mimi.daniel@state.mn.us |
Web: | http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html |
Appropriation Language
$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources in cooperation with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa to encourage a diversity of students to pursue careers in environment and natural resources through internships and mentorships with the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Pollution Control Agency. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2024, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Nicholas Phelps
U of MN - MAISRC
135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle
St Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 624-7450 |
Email: | phelp083@umn.edu |
Web: | http://www.maisrc.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$4,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to support the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center in developing solutions to Minnesota's aquatic invasive species problems through research, control, prevention, outreach, and early detection of existing and emerging aquatic invasive species threats. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Sub-Projects M.L. 2019, Subd. 06a:
*Subproject is split between M.L. 2017 and M.L. 2019 funding, only M.L. 2019 funds are reflected.
Jessica Kozarek
U of M - St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
2 Southeast 3rd Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: | (612) 624-4679 |
Email: | jkozarek@umn.edu |
Web: | http://www.safl.umn.edu/ |
Shannon Wettstein
Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District
16776 Heron Rd
Little Falls, MN 56345
Phone: | (320) 631-3553 |
Email: | shannon.wettstein@morrisonswcd.org |
Web: | http://morrisonswcd.org/about-us |
Appropriation Language
$100,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District to eradicate the northern-most occurrences of oak wilt in the state through mechanical means on select private properties to prevent oak wilt's spread to healthy state forest habitats.
Mark Abrahamson
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert St N
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 201-6505 |
Email: | mark.abrahamson@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/noxious-and-invasive-weed-program |
Appropriation Language
$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of agriculture to continue to monitor, detect, and eradicate noxious weeds, including Palmer Amaranth, primarily in conservation plantings and to develop and implement methods to prevent infestation and protect prairies, other natural areas, and agricultural crops. Of this amount, $650,000 is for grants to local communities to help combat infestations.
Valerie McClannahan
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5283 |
Email: | valerie.mcclannahan@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/forestmgmt/managing-ash.html |
Appropriation Language
$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for grants to local units of government to replace ash trees removed from public lands in response to emerald ash borer with ecologically appropriate trees.
William Northrop
U of MN - WCROC
111 Church Street
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: | (612) 625 6854 |
Email: | wnorthro@umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$650,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the West Central Research and Outreach Center at Morris to develop and test novel clean energy storage systems for farms using wind-generated ammonia to displace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Nicole Saccoman
Rural Renewable Energy Alliance
3963 8th Street SW
Backus, MN 56435
Phone: | (218) 947-3779 |
Email: | Nicole@rreal.org | Web: | https://www.rreal.org/cs4ca |
Appropriation Language
$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Rural Renewable Energy Alliance to install a 200-kW White Earth community-owned solar garden to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase economic development through environmental education and solar workforce training, and improve energy resilience.
Ted Pappenfus
U of MN - Morris
600 E 4th Street
Morris, MN 56267
Phone: | (320) 589-6340 |
Email: | pappe001@morris.umn.edu |
Web: | http://cda.morris.umn.edu/~pappe001/ |
Appropriation Language
$185,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, Morris, to use regional plant-based agricultural by-products to fabricate solar cells for creating renewable and affordable energy.
Blaine Hill
City of Morris
610 Oregon Ave
Morris, MN 56267
Phone: | (320) 589-3141 |
Email: | bhill@ci.morris.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.ci.morris.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$150,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Morris to develop and begin implementing community resilience plans for energy and the environment and to create a model guide for other Minnesota communities to create and implement their own plans.
Erik Runquist
Minnesota Zoological Garden
13000 Zoo Blvd
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: | (952) 431-9200 |
Email: | erik.runquist@state.mn.us |
Appropriation Language
$800,000 the first year is from the trust fund. Of this amount, $630,000 is to the Minnesota Zoological Garden and $170,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources to reestablish populations of Minnesota's imperiled butterflies through reintroductions and prairie restorations and by developing foundational habitat recommendations for preventing future extinctions. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Rebecca Montgomery
U of MN
1530 Cleveland Ave N
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: | (612) 624-7249 |
Email: | rebeccam@umn.edu |
Appropriation Language
$750,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to demonstrate, evaluate, and increase adoption of the combined use of intensive tree, forage, and livestock management as a method to restore threatened oak savanna habitats.
Colleen Winter
City of Melrose
225 First St NE
Melrose, MN 56352
Phone: | (320) 256-4278 |
Email: | cwinter@cityofmelrose.com |
Web: | https://www.cityofmelrose.com/ |
Appropriation Language
$2,768,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Melrose to remove an existing fixed-elevation dam, construct a rock arch rapids, and conduct in-stream and shoreline habitat restoration to improve water quality and native fish passage in the Sauk River. This project requires a match of at least $1,400,000 that must be secured before trust fund money is spent. At least $700,000 of this match must come from the city of Melrose. City of Melrose expenses for the Sauk River dam removal and rock rapids replacement incurred before July 1, 2019, may be counted toward the match.
Briana Gross
U of MN - Duluth
207 SSB, 1035 Kirby Dr
Duluth, MN, 55812
Phone: | (218) 726-7722 |
Email: | blgross@d.umn.edu |
Web: | https://scse.d.umn.edu/biology-department/faculty-staff/dr-briana-gross |
Appropriation Language
$135,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to provide monitoring and invasive species removal to conserve rare and endangered arctic plants on Minnesota's North Shore. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Kristin Hall
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Road
St Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5444 |
Email: | kristin.hall@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$513,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the nongame wildlife program, including rare wildlife data collection, habitat management, collaborative land protection, conservation education, and a new emphasis on promoting nature tourism to benefit wildlife, visitors, and rural communities.
Dan Shaw
BWSR
520 Lafayette Road
St Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (612) 236-6219 |
Email: | dan.shaw@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://bwsr.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$806,000 in fiscal year 2019 and $94,000 the first year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for demonstration projects that provide grants or payments to plant residential lawns with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly forbs and legumes to protect a diversity of pollinators. The board must establish criteria for grants or payments awarded under this section. Grants or payments awarded under this section may be made for up to 75 percent of the costs of the project, except that in areas identified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as areas where there is a high potential for rusty patched bumble bees to be present, grants may be awarded for up to 90 percent of the costs of the project.
Eric Buchanan
U of MN - West Central Research and Outreach Center
46352 State HWY 329
Morris, MN 56267
Phone: | (320) 589-1711 |
Email: | buch0123@morris.umn.edu |
Web: | https://wcroc.cfans.umn.edu/ |
Appropriation Language
$900,000 is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the West Central Research and Outreach Center at Morris to design, integrate, and field-test new technology mowers to control weeds, reduce herbicide use, reduce energy costs, and improve native vegetation and forage quality on agricultural lands. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Molly Roske
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5094 |
Email: | molly.roske@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$3,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the scientific and natural areas (SNA) program to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on SNAs, increase public involvement and outreach, and strategically acquire high-quality lands that meet criteria for SNAs under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, from willing sellers. A list of proposed acquisitions and restorations is required in the work plan.
Audrey Mularie
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5549 |
Email: | audrey.mularie@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$3,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to solicit, rank, and fund competitive matching grants for local parks, trail connections, and natural and scenic areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019. The appropriation is for local nature-based recreation, connections to regional and state natural areas, and recreation facilities and not for athletic facilities such as sport fields, courts, and playgrounds.
Shelby Kok
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5590 |
Email: | Shelby.Kok@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$2,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire high-priority in-holdings from willing sellers within the legislatively authorized boundaries of state parks and trails to protect Minnesota's natural heritage, enhance outdoor recreational opportunities, and improve the efficiency of public land management. Priorities include but are not limited to Minneopa, St. Croix, Frontenac, and Crow Wing State Parks. A list of proposed acquisitions is required in the work plan.
Kent Skaar
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5636 |
Email: | kent.skaar@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$5,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to expand high-priority recreational opportunities on Minnesota's state trails by developing new trail segments and rehabilitating, improving, and enhancing existing state trails. High-priority trail bridges to rehabilitate or replace include, but are not limited to, those on the Arrowhead, Central Lakes, Harmony-Preston Valley, Matthew Lourey, and North Shore State Trails. High-priority trail segments to develop and enhance include, but are not limited to, the Paul Bunyan, Gateway, Heartland, Gitchi Gami, and Minnesota Valley State Trails. A proposed list of trail projects on legislatively authorized state trails is required in the work plan. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Leah Heggerston
National Loon Center Foundation
35770 Allen Ave
Suite 1 PO Box 642
Crosslake, MN 56442
Phone: | (218) 839-9042 |
Email: | fishes@crosslake.net |
Web: | https://www.nationallooncenter.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$4,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Loon Center Foundation, in partnership with a fiscal agent to be approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, to construct an approximately 15,000-square-foot National Loon Center in Cross Lake dedicated to loon survival, loon habitat protection and research, and recreation. Of this amount, up to $1,449,000 is for planning, design, and construction of approximately six outdoor demonstration learning kiosks, interpretive trails, boardwalks and boat docks, a fishing dock, and native landscaping along approximately 3,100 feet of shoreline. Any remaining funds are for planning, engineering, and constructing the building and indoor exhibits. A land lease commitment of at least 25 years and fiscal sponsorship must be secured before any trust fund money is spent. This project requires a match of at least $6,000,000. At least $2,000,000 of this match must come from nonstate sources. If naming rights will be conveyed, the National Loon Center Foundation must include a plan for this in the work plan. All matching funds must be legally committed before any trust fund money may be spent on planning activities for or construction of the building and indoor exhibits. Net income generated from admissions, naming rights, and memberships to the National Loon Center as a result of trust fund contributions may be reinvested in the center's long-term loon conservation efforts as described in the work plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources according to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Nancy Stewart
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 259-5616 |
Email: | nancy.stewart@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$320,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to provide accessible fishing piers in locations that have a high potential to serve new angling communities, underserved populations, and anglers with physical disabilities. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Nine (9) new accessible fishing piers have been installed in various locations around the state to improve fishing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. The DNR worked with multiple sponsors and donors who brought funding and enthusiasm to the projects.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSAccessible fishing piers make fishing safe, easy, and fun for all ages especially children, elderly, disabled, veterans, families, small and large groups, and anyone who doesn’t own a boat. Fishing piers provide the “classroom” to teach fishing skills and outdoor education classes. Data shows that 40% of people with fishing licenses do not own a boat (approximately 480,000 anglers). The demand for fishing piers is increasing as more people want to fish close to home and from a safe location. Each fishing pier is expected to last 20 to 25 years with proper maintenance. Below are the nine new fishing pier locations:
DNR now has approximately 364 public fishing sites; with 282 on partner owned and operated lands, and 82 on state-owned land. Since 1984, the fishing pier program has relied on funds from competitive capital funding sources to grow the program and add new fishing piers (and shore fishing sites) such as Bonding, Legacy and now LCCMR. In a typical year each existing fishing pier is checked and repaired as needed. Summer storms and winter ice are the most common causes for damage. Piers past their useful life are prioritized for rehabilitation or replacement at a rate four to eight each year. The program is hugely successful because of the many partnerships with local units of governments.
Bob Manzoline
St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
111 Station 44 Rd
Eveleth, MN 55734
Phone: | (218) 744-2653 |
Email: | bmanzoline@rrauth.com |
Web: | https://www.mesabitrail.com/ |
Appropriation Language
$3,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority for environmental assessment, permitting, right-of-way easements or other acquisition as needed, and engineering for and construction of four trail segments beginning and ending at the following approximate locations: Darwin Meyers Wildlife Management Area to County Road 21, Embarrass to Kugler, County Road 128 to the Eagles Nest Town Hall, and Wolf Creek to the Highway 169 underpass.
Cathy Bissonette
City of Babbitt
71 South Dr
Babbitt, MN 55706
Phone: | (218) 827-3646 |
Email: | cathy@babbitt-mn.com |
Appropriation Language
$350,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Babbitt to expand Birch Lake Recreation Area by adding a new campground for recreational vehicles and tent campers. This project requires a match of at least $2,800,000 that must be secured before trust fund money is spent. At least $800,000 of this match must come from the city of Babbitt. Net income generated from admissions to the campground created as a result of trust fund contributions may be reinvested into the campground's long-term operations as described in the work plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources according to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
Tim Kennedy
Superior Cycling Association
PO Box 1032
Grand Marais, MN 55604
Phone: | (218) 370-0955 |
Email: | tkennedy@boreal.org |
Web: | https://superiorcycling.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$350,000 the first year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Superior Cycling Association to create a sustainably designed single-track mountain bike trail connecting trail clusters and trailheads between Britton Peak in Tofte and Lutsen Mountains as part of northeast Minnesota's effort to become a national recreation destination. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
The Superior Cycling Association in partnership with the US Forest Service and Cook County designed and built 16 miles of purpose built mountain bike trails connecting existing trail clusters at Britton Peak and Lutsen Mountains to address the need for more sustainable mountain bike trails in Cook County.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSRecreation demands for mountain biking in Minnesota, especially Northeastern Minnesota, have grown to require more sustainably designed and purpose built mountain bike trails. The Cook County Mountain Bike System masterplan prepared for the Superior Cycling Association by the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission calls for development of clusters of mountain bike trails at Britton Peak in Tofte, Pincushion Mountain in Grand Marais and Lutsen Mountains in Lutsen with a connector trail between these three clusters. This project completed the Jackpot and High Climber trails between the existing trail clusters at Britton Peak and Lutsen Mountains, approximately 16 miles. The Superior Cycling Association in partnership with the US Forest Service and Cook County built these mountain bike trails to the highest sustainable trail design standards to minimize environmental impacts while utilizing the relief and geologic features found along the North Shore.
This project is part of a growing number of destination mountain bike trails to be found in Northeast Minnesota, including the City of Duluth, Cuyuna in Crosby, Giant’s Ridge, Redhead in Chisholm, Toiga in Cohasset, and more in the works. Recreation trails are a driving force to bring visitors to these areas of the state and make significant impacts on the local economy.
PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATIONUnfortunately, due to COVID-19, this trail was opened for use unceremoniously with no major announcements or Grand Opening celebration. However, riders did hear about the trail on the Superior Cycling Association, Visit Cook County, and other website as well as on trail aps that riders use. Response from riders echoed a similar sentiment, “this is the best trail in the State…I’ll be back”.
When COVID restrictions are over and large gatherings are again allowed, the Superior Cycling Association will be holding a Grand Opening which will invite riders, media, partners, and local businesses to celebrate this mountain bike trail resource.
John Geissler
Saint John's University
104 New Science Building
Collegeville, MN 56321-3000
Phone: | (320) 363-3126 |
Email: | jgeissler001@csbsju.edu |
Web: | https://www.csbsju.edu/outdooru |
Appropriation Language
$1,600,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Saint John's University in cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust to restore and enhance protected lands, provide public outreach, and prepare management plans for and use a reverse-bid ranking system to secure permanent conservation easements on high-quality natural habitat in the Avon Hills area of Stearns County. Of this amount, up to $168,000 is for use by Minnesota Land Trust in a monitoring fund as approved in the work plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.20. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund, including expenditures from the fund. A proposed list of acquisitions and restorations must be provided in the work plan. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2024, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Britt See-Benes
City of Virginia
327 1st Street S
Virginia MN 55792
Phone: | (218) 748-7500 |
Email: | britts@virginiamn.us |
Web: | http://www.virginiamn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$550,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Virginia to reconstruct the existing Bailey Lake Trail and construct a new fishing pier on Bailey Lake that is accessible from the trail.
Julie Lammers
City of Vergas
PO Box 32
Vergas, MN 56587-0032
Phone: | (218) 342-2091 |
Email: | cityofvergas@arvig.net |
Web: | https://www.cityofvergas.com/ |
Appropriation Language
$290,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Vergas to construct a bicycle and pedestrian bridge, trail, and floating boardwalk along Long Lake including shoreline restoration and stabilization with native plants. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Andrew Bremseth
City of Fergus Falls
112 Washington Avenue W
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: | (218) 332-5403 |
Email: | Andrew.Bremseth@ci.fergus-falls.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.ci.fergus-falls.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Fergus Falls to acquire easements for and construct a trail along the Otter Tail River in downtown Fergus Falls and a bicycle and pedestrian bridge crossing the river. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Bruce Beste
Voyageur Country ATV
Box 414
Crane Lake, MN 55725
Phone: | (218) 391-5108 |
Email: | voyageurcountryatv@gmail.com |
Web: | www.VoyageurCountryATV.com |
Appropriation Language
$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with St. Louis County in cooperation with Voyageur Country ATV Club to designate and improve a wooded trail from Crane Lake to Vermilion Falls to accommodate all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile users. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
This project created a safe, marked 5.6-mile long corridor for ATV and snowmobile riders connecting the resort community of Crane Lake to the popular Vermilion Falls Picnic area. An elevated boardwalk was built on helical piles to minimize impacts and protect areas that are environmentally sensitive.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSThe resort community of Crane Lake is a popular tourist destination due to its unique geographic location. Crane Lake is the southernmost lake in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota’s only national park. Many visitors explore, by boat, the beautiful neighboring lakes including Namakan, Kabetogama and Rainy Lakes to the north. To the east of Crane Lake lies Superior National Forest & the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Provincial Park. Visitors may arrive with canoes and backpacks, setting out for a wilderness adventure with tents and fishing poles in hand. Another activity, notably increasing in popularity, is the visitor bringing the family and an ATV or snowmobile. Snowmobiling has been popular here for decades and Crane Lake has a well-established winter trail system. However, the beauty of this area with its many streams, lakes, and beaver ponds presents a challenge for ATV riders once the ice melts. To lessen the impact on our environment, and to keep visitors as safe as possible, our ATV club is working to establish a system of wooded, marked corridor routes (like this one) for the ATV enthusiasts.
This trail project was a priority as part of a Master Plan to improve the 5.6 miles between the resort community of Crane Lake and the very popular Vermilion Falls picnic area to create a safe and more immersive experience for riders, keeping them off the paved road. Trail improvements included culvert replacements and new installations, trail hardening, the construction of drainage ditches, and the installation of a 256 foot long pier-supported boardwalk. This bridge built on helical piles is low impact and 12’ wide able to accommodate a snowmobile trail grooming machine, making the boardwalk safe and appropriate for year round use. This project was completed with the blessing of the US Forest Service. Hundreds of people visit the Vermilion Falls picnic area each year and this trail will be perfect for making their experience safer and more enjoyable as they connect with the beautiful Northwoods of Minnesota’s Voyageur Country.
Lisa Luokkala
Superior Hiking Trail Association
731 7th Avenue, Suite 2
Two Harbors, MN 55616
Phone: | (218) 834-2700 |
Email: | lluokkala@superiorhiking.org |
Web: | https://superiorhiking.org/ |
Appropriation Language
$191,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Superior Hiking Trail Association to restore and repair the most damaged parts of five sections of the Superior Hiking Trail and restore an abandoned route to a natural footpath for hikers.
Sherril Gautreaux
City of Ranier
PO Box 186
Ranier, MN 56668
Phone: | 218-286-3311 |
Email: | cityofranier@frontiernet.net |
Appropriation Language
$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Ranier to enhance and increase public access to Rainy Lake by constructing an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant recreational parking lot, an ADA-compliant public restroom, and an aquatic invasive species boat wash station.
Bob Manzoline
St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
111 Station 44 Rd
Eveleth, MN 55734
Phone: | (218) 744-2653 |
Email: | bmanzoline@rrauth.com |
Web: | https://www.mesabitrail.com/ |
Appropriation Language
$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for a grant to the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority to engineer, design, renovate, and construct the Historic Bruce Mine Park and Mesabi Trailhead and access in the city of Chisholm. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Katherine Sherman-Hoehn
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4010
Phone: | (651) 259-5533 |
Email: | Katherine.Sherman-Hoehn@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$135,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources, at the direction of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, for expenses incurred for preparing and administering contracts for the agreements specified in this section. The commissioner must provide documentation to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of these funds. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
This appropriation was used to support the ENRTF contract management program, which ensured that ENRTF grantees expended grant funds in compliance with state law, session law, approved work plans, and Office of Grants Management grants policies.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSThis appropriation was used to support the ENRTF contract management program, which ensured that ENRTF grantees expended grant funds in compliance with state law, session law, approved work plans, and Office of Grants Management grants policies.
The DNR Grants Unit managed 78 grants active in FY 2020. In FY 2021, the Grants Unit managed 72 active grants.
Between 1/1/2020 when billing began and 12/31/2020 when it ended, the DNR Grants Unit:
Project personnel were in frequent contact with appropriation recipients and LCCMR staff. Information was disseminated through manuals, training sessions, orientations, meetings, memos, letters, emails, newsletter, and phone.
Becca Nash
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Room 65 State Office Bldg
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 296-6264 |
Email: | becca.nash@lccmr.mn.gov |
Web: | https://www.lccmr.mn.gov/ |
Appropriation Language
$1,400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for administration in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09, subdivision 5.
Sally Olson
Legislative Coordinating Commission
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Room 72 State Office Bldg
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 296-9002 |
Email: | Sally.Olson@lcc.mn.gov |
Appropriation Language
$3,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the website required in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10.
Becca Nash
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Room 65 State Office Bldg
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: | (651) 296-6264 |
Email: | becca.nash@lccmr.mn.gov |
Web: | https://www.lccmr.mn.gov/ |
Appropriation Language
$330,000 in fiscal year 2019 is from the trust fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources to develop, enhance, and maintain a management system for project records.
Jeff Freeman
Public Facilities Authority
322 Minnesota Street, Suite W820
St. Paul, MN 55101-1378
Phone: | (651) 259-7465 |
Email: | jeff.freeman@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://mn.gov/deed/pfa/ |
Appropriation Language
Up to $5,000,000 of the money in the trust fund is available to the State Board of Investment to invest in loans through the Public Facilities Authority's clean water revolving fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 446A.07. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 446A.07, repayments of principal and interest and any investment income must be credited to the trust fund and are available for reinvestment in the clean water revolving fund.
Joel Peck
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Rd. N.
St. Paul, MN, 55110
Phone: | (651) 757-2202 |
Email: | joel.peck@state.mn.us |
Web: | https://www.pca.state.mn.us/ |
Appropriation Language
$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency for the pilot program created under Laws 2018, chapter 214, article 4, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (a). This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time projects must be completed and final products delivered.
Wastewater treatment systems are critical infrastructure to manage waste effluent within hundreds of communities throughout Minnesota. Optimization means getting better results through existing infrastructure. This project determined that both mechanical and pond wastewater treatment systems can be optimized, and new effluent limits met, without adding substantial new infrastructure.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSAchieving better nutrient treatment in wastewater treatment facilities serves to reduce the likelihood of algal blooms in Minnesota’s water bodies resulting in cleaner lakes and rivers.
This project found that Minnesota’s mechanical wastewater treatment plants can achieve better biological nutrient removal (BNR) through low-cost operational changes. These improvements were modeled using the Activated Sludge SIMulation Model (ASIM) in order to determine the specific plant operational parameters required to achieve BNR. On average, mechanical plants in this pilot were modeled to have average nitrogen reduction of 14.14 mg/L, average phosphorus reduction of 1.84 mg/L (most sites already treat phosphorus chemically to 1 mg/L) and chemical reductions of 886 lb chemical/Million Gallons (MGal) flow.
Wastewater ponds can achieve much better nutrient treatment by utilizing the ‘Steady-State Primary’ strategy developed during this project. This strategy involves holding the first pond at six feet, or the maximum depth permitted) with a slide gate. Raw influent continues flowing into pond 1, while treated effluent from pond 1 is used to fill pond 2. Meanwhile, pond 3 is also held full. This strategy maximizes treatment time and drastically improves nutrient treatment quality. The two developed case studies showcase a 69% reduction in phosphorus and 43% reduction in nitrogen when compared to the prior year’s effluent. Secondary recommendations to wastewater ponds is to reduce inflow and infiltration, reduce fecal loading from waterfowl, and to encourage the growth of aquatic plants, with a specific emphasis on the growth of coontail.
By quantifying the role that optimization has in effective wastewater treatment, Minnesota’s lakes and streams can meet standards in a more cost effective means.
The project and its results have been presented in 17 different events and conferences by members of this team, including Minnesota Rural Water Association’s annual conference, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s annual conference, the Conference on the Environment, and many others. However, only one mechanical treatment plant has elected to move ahead with a pilot study, and one additional has expressed interest in doing so in the near future. The team has heard from staff and consultants of participating facilities that without a nitrogen standard as a driver, they feel little urgency to adopt optimization recommendations. Other facilities are meeting phosphorous limits under current flow, but would face difficulty at increased flow. Additionally, BNR design and operation is not a common treatment system in our Minnesota climate, and there may be some trepidation to moving toward that form of treatment until other facilities lead the way.
We have seen eight pond systems adopt the steady-state-primary flow regime in their operations, with more hoping to do so in the near future. Those that have done so already have reported roughly 50 percent reduction in nutrient discharge. The flow regime still needs additional validation. But, more discharge events will add more confidence with additional datasets from daily monitoring reports. Better flow management through infrastructure maintenance – making sure the control structures function as designed – is going to continue to be an area of importance in order to prevent short circuiting of the treatment in isolated pond cells.
The final report, the final work product of operator field guides for mechanical and pond treatment facilities, case studies of participating facilities, and additional findings, can all be found here, at the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program’s wastewater webpages.