Proposal Form - Minnesota Clean Water Partnership (CWP) Resource Investigation Project Form

2010 Proposal Form Minnesota Clean Water Partnership (CWP) Resource Investigation Project Implementation Project Doc Type: Proposal

Instructions on Page 5

Proposal Deadline: 4:30 p.m. Friday, August 13, 2010

 Review the 2010 CWP Grant Request for Proposal (RFP) at: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/cwp-319.html.  Review the Clean Water Partnership Proposal Form Instructions on page 5 of this form.  Submit a copy of this Proposal Form electronically via e-mail to: [email protected].

Project Classification (Choose only one selection per line.) Check project type: Resource Investigation Implementation Check project category: Protection Restoration Both

Project Title (Create a unique name that begins with the name of the water body and includes the activity – 50-character maximum.) Project title: Ten Mile Creek Protection Plan for Turbidity

Sponsoring Organization (Must be a county, city, township, watershed district, watershed management organization or joint powers organization.) Sponsoring organization: Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District Primary contact person: Mary Homan Street address: 600 6th Street City: Madison State: MN Zip: 56256 Phone: 320-598-3319 Fax: 320-598-3125 E-mail: [email protected]

Project Budget Projection Match funds, including Grant funds requested: $141,850.00 cash and in-kind services: $142,100 Total project cost (sum Loan funds requested $0.00 of other 3 lines): $283,950.00

Project Location Major Watershed: Lac qui Parle 8-digit Hydrologic unit code: 07020003 Hydrologic Sub-watershed: Ten Mile Creek unit code: 0702000306 GPS location:Lat. 44-54' Long. 95-53' What type of water body does it affect? (check all that apply) Stream Lake River Other Water body name(s): Ten Mile Creek, Lac qui Parle River, and Lac qui Parle Lake Basin (check all that apply): Lake Superior Lower Mississippi/Cedar Upper Mississippi Minnesota Rainy Red River Des Moines Missouri St. Croix Is the water of concern a drinking water source? Yes No If applicable, attach map of project area to proposal. www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats wq-cwp7-35e • 6/8/10 Page 1 of 6 Project Plan Information (Indicate Web page address, page numbers and effective dates of plans relating to this project.)

Basin Plan for this Watershed: Minnesota River Basin Plan December 2001, www.pca.state.mn.us Comprehensive Local Water Plan: Lac qui Parle County Water Plan 2003-2012 updated 2008 MPCA-approved TMDL Implementation Plan: NA Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Water Management Plan 2009-2019, section 4, page 2, Other plans that refer to this project work: 3, and 5-objectives 8,9,13, 39 www.lqpybwatershed.org

Summary Information (See Instructions on page 5 to assist you in completing the summary. Add your summary below – maximum two pages in length) Introduction: Briefly describe your project, water of concern, and project area. Ten Mile Creek in the Lac qui Parle River watershed is currently on the impaired waters list for fecal coliform bacteria. This plan will help protect Ten Mile Creek from turbidity and nitrogen impairments. The Ten Mile Creek watershed has a relatively level drainage area containing 76,000+ acres in Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties. The creek is 33.4 miles long and 29.7 miles has been channelized and is known as Judicial Ditch 8. Branches include 105.8 miles for a total of 135.5 miles and 141.3 miles of tile lines varying in size from 8 to 18 inches in diameter. More than 90% of the land use within Ten Mile Creek is cultivated crops. Several large confined feedlots are located in the watershed. There are 11 WMA easements in the watershed that include 1,209.32 acres. This project will focus on installing buffer strips along 25 miles of ditches in the watershed, replace 50 open tile intakes, and hold workshops in the watershed to increase conservation tillage, nutrient and pesticide management, conservation drainage and restoring wetlands. 1. What is the condition of the water body(ies) being addressed? Ten Mile Creek was listed on the 303(d) Impaired Waters List in 2006 for fecal coliform bacteria. The Diagnostic Study of the Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Clean Water Partnership completed in October 2003 also showed that Ten Mile Creek had the highest levels of Nitrate+Nitrite in the surface water. Grab samples in 2009 and 2010 shows similar data on nitrogen. Ten Mile Creek is not listed for turbidity but is being considered and installing buffers, replacing open tile intakes, and increasing implementation of other Best Management Practices will assist in keeping it off the impaired waters list. Monitoring data was collected by Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Clean Water Partnership staff from 2001-2003 and again in 2009-2010. 2. How does the proposed project demonstrate a high potential for success as it relates to project goals and objectives, work activities, measurable outcomes, budget, organization, and management structure? Ten Mile Creek only has about 20% of the ditches protected with buffer strips. A goal of 25 miles of new buffer strips thirty feet wide enrolled in a fifteen-year continuous CRP contract would result in approximately 90 newly enrolled acres of Continuous CRP or harvestable buffers. Fifty open tile intakes will be replaced with alternative intakes of patterned tile or rock intakes. By establishing filter strips along ditches in the Ten Mile Creek watershed and replacing the open tile intakes sediment and nutrients can be reduced and protect the creek from further impairments. We are currently in a TMDL study of Ten Mile Creek for fecal coliform bacteria and the local goal is to keep additional river reaches from future 303(d) Impaired Waters Lists. Educational workshops and outreach material will promote conservation tillage, variable rate fertilizer application, restoring wetlands, and conservation drainage management methods. Outcomes will be measured by number of acres protected by buffers, number of intakes replaced, workshop attendance and local response to programs. 3. How does the proposed project include coordination and cooperation of federal, state, local agencies, and units of government for water quality protection or restoration? Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Clean Water Partnership has built a working team over the past 9 years involving Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine and Lincoln Counties, SWCD’s, Environmental Offices, Water Planners, Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District and the State and Federal Agencies of NRCS, BWSR, DNR, MPCA, USF&WS, and Prairie Country RC&D. Almost one-third of the watershed lies in the neighboring state of South Dakota. We share water quality data and concerns with East Dakota Water Development District in Brookings, SD. In turn, we receive data from South Dakota monitoring and restoration projects. SWCD technicians work closely with landowners to implement best management practices and develop their plans. This TEAM is currently collaborating on a multi-impairment TMDL assessment on multiple reaches of the Lac qui Parle and Yellow Bank Rivers. A Diagnostic Study and Implementation Plan for the Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank watershed were completed with the partnering agencies. They sponsor an average of 4 educational events a year and an extensive citizen monitor network.

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats wq-cwp7-35e • 6/8/10 Page 2 of 6 4. How does the proposed project complement other local, state, and federal efforts? All of the partnering SWCD’s and NRCS offices have state cost share, EQIP and CRP. Lac qui Parle Environmental Office and SWCD are planning to submit an AgWaste Water Quality grant. The project is designed to protect Ten Mile Creek from further degradation as it is already listed for fecal coliform and is currently in a TMDL assessment study. The Ten Mile Creek is a tributary of the Lac qui Parle River which is a major tributary of the Minnesota River with TMDL Studies and proposed Plans for Turbidity and low dissolved oxygen. At this time we have not applied for other funds as we are currently waiting for the TMDL assessment to be completed that also qualifies to apply for additional funding for implementing projects. In the past we received $210,000 from the Clean Water Legacy Fund for a similar project on turbidity impaired reaches of the Lac qui Parle River and tributaries. A CWP grant was received for $298,000 and a Continuation grant was received for $280,150 was received in 2009. A $5,000 grant was received from Minnesota Waters for a riverbank planting this spring. We also have a contract with MPCA for completing a TMDL assessment for $137,021.00. All contracts expire on or before June 30, 2011. 5. How does the proposed project demonstrate high potential for project success based on broad-based community support and involvement within the project area, and the project sponsor’s and cooperator’s local capability and organization? In previous grants, including our current grant, the Best Management Practice Implementation funds have been encumbered very quickly. The incentives offered is what makes the practice economically feasible for the landowner. Previous grants have had priority areas that did not include Ten Mile Creek as it is not listed for turbidity. Educational efforts reach beyond the priority area and neighbors talk about different opportunities available to them and thus we had inquiries and disappointed landowners. Customized workshops will be held in a community center located in the watershed to increase attendance. There is a unique partnership of county, state and federal agencies that include representatives from Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed district, NRCS/SWCD from Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine and Lincoln counties, county water planners, BWSR, DNR, and Prairie Country RC&D that work and communicate cooperatively together to develop goals for water quality improvement locally. Educational efforts reach beyond the priority area and neighbors talk about different opportunities available to them. Also a weekly radio program started in 2009 provides an effective method to provide updated information on programs, incentives and opportunities. Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District has voted and included in their budget to fund 50% of the administrative staff and provide additional in-kind to ensure stability, sustainability and long-term commitment to improving local water quality. 6. What is the likelihood that the proposed project will serve as a demonstration for water quality protection or restoration and provide useful information or examples for local, regional, or state efforts for nonpoint source pollution control? The information received from the project will endorse implementation of buffer strips. Ditch banks protected with buffer strips also protects from heavy equipment, over spray of chemicals and will provide corridors for wildlife. It is a well known fact that protection is cheaper than restoration. 7. Is the water of concern of state and regional significance and priority? How so? Yes it is a water of concern. Ten Mile Creek flows into the Lac qui Parle River about 3 ½ miles before Lac qui Parle Lake which is part of the Minnesota River watershed. The Minnesota River has a TMDL Plan for turbidity and low dissolved oxygen. Lac qui Parle Lake is the receiving waters of the Lac qui Parle and Yellow Bank Rivers and their tributaries are a major part of the Lac qui Parle State Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge and Lac qui Parle State Park provide tremendous hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities to thousands of people annually. 8. How does the proposed project maximize water quality protection or restoration of the water of concern in the project area? This project is incorporating tried and true management practices for keeping soil and nutrients on the land. Educational outreach programs are how landowners learn about new practices and programs available. 9. For Implementation projects only-How will the proposed project facilitate the adoption of the best management practices (BMPs) by the community in the project area and how does the proposed project use technically feasible BMPs to abate or prevent non-point source pollution? By working proactively and continually with landowners the project has earned respect and trust. These funds in addition to Continuous CRP payments will provide adequate financial incentive to install buffers and replace open tile intakes. By using existing programs, a variety of BMPs, and offering incentives we can protect Ten Mile Creek from further degradation. Educational outreach including workshops, radio program and printed materials will promote the project.

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats wq-cwp7-35e • 6/8/10 Page 3 of 6 www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats wq-cwp7-35e • 6/8/10 Page 4 of 6 Budget Information

Project expenditure budget Complete the following table by listing the objectives that will comprise your project and estimated cost of each objective. Add additional rows as necessary.

Objectives Funding types Total Grant Local cash In-kind Loan 1. BMP Implementation 96,250.00 43,500.00 139,750.00 2. Education/Outreach 600.00 600.00 8,000.00 9,200.00 3. Administration 45,000.00 45,000.00 45,000.00 135,000.00 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Total of program objectives: 141,850.00 45,600.00 96,500.00 283,950.00 *The project objective budget should address the cost of setting up monitoring stations, collecting monitoring data, reducing the data, public education, writing the diagnostic study and implementation plan, Best Management Practices (BMPs) activities, project administration, etc. Costs listed for each objective must be realistic.

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats wq-cwp7-35e • 6/8/10 Page 5 of 6 Project support budget Complete the following sections for all the sources of grant, loan, match money, and in-kind contributions for your project. The match requirement must be no less than the amount of the grant. Add additional rows as necessary.

Project costs Cash contribution In-kind contribution Project sponsors Total project support to project to project A. Project sponsor contribution 45,000.00 50,000.00 95,000.00 B. Local contributing sponsors: 1. Lac qui Parle Cty Water Plan 600.00 3,000.00 3,600.00 Yellow Medicine Cty Water 2. Plan 1,000.00 1,000.00 3. Lac qui Parle County 5,000.00 5,000.00 4. Lac qui Parle SWCD 1,000.00 1,000.00 5. Yellow Medicine SWCD 1,000.00 1,000.00 6. Local Volunteers 1,000.00 1,000.00 7. B. Subtotal 600.00 12,000.00 12,600.00 C. State and/or federal contributing sponsors: (cannot be more than 20 percent of the total project costs.) 8. Prairie Country RC&D 1,000.00 1,000.00 9. Lac qui Parle NRCS 27,500.00 27,500.00 10. Yellow Medicine NRCS 6,000.00 6,000.00 11. 12. 13.

C. Subtotal* 0.00 34,500.00 34,500.00 Total: All project sponsors (A+B+C) 45,600.00 96,500.00 142,100.00 Grant amount requested (cannot exceed $500,000): 141,850.00 141,850.00 Loan amount requested (no maximum) 0.00 0.00 Total cash Total in-kind Total project cost

Grand Totals $187,450.00 $96,500.00 283,950.00 MPCA staff or resources cannot be used as match.

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats wq-cwp7-35e • 6/8/10 Page 6 of 6