Cass and Crow Wing counties and the Crow Wing and Cass Soil and Water Conservation Districts all adopted a comprehensive local Pine River Watershed plan.
On June 15, the local government units were awarded $482,000 to implement the conservation activities within the Pine River Watershed as outlined in the partnership’s comprehensive watershed management plan developed through the “One Watershed, One Plan” program. Funds were awarded from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.
“This is an exciting time in conservation,” Crow Wing SWCD District Manager Melissa Barrick said in a news release. “This is two years in the making. We have prioritized lakes in a detailed plan. Grant funds are available to complete actions in the plan. We are very grateful for all the collaboration between the counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and citizen input in the process.”
Funds will be used toward plan objectives and action items, which include:
Keep lakes and forests healthy so water visibility and water recreation can be enjoyed by all into the future.
Help landowners manage shorelines/forests and preserve high-quality land long term.
Reduce algae growth by filtering stormwater before water reaches the lakes.
County ordinances and programs
Voluntary conservation of individual landowners for rain gardens, shoreline buffers, grazing management and cover crops.
Soil health.
Help producers develop practices on land to build soil health.
Retain water on the land.
Put area lakes on a low-salt diet.
Train operators and contractors’ practices to reduce chloride applications on roads and parking lots.
Provide grants for cities and townships to purchase equipment that reduces the application of salt.
For more information, call 218-828-6197, email melissa.barrick@crowwingswcd.org or visit https://www.crowwing.us/1476/Pine-River-1W1P.
