HERON LAKE WATERSHED DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT 2013

WAATERSHEDTERSHED ASSSISTANCESISTANCE THHROUGHROUGH EDDUCATIONUCATION & REESOURCESSOURCES

HERON LAKE WATERSHED DISTRICT

1008 3rd Ave., P. O. Box 345 Heron Lake, MN 56137 507-793-2462 or 1-888-878-4345 Fax 507-793-2253 Email address: [email protected] Web address: www.hlwdonline.org

Meeting: 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. September through April; 8:00 p.m. May through August Table of Contents

SECTION I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4

SECTION II: MISSION STATEMENT...... 4

SECTION III: BOARD OF MANAGERS ...... 4

SECTION IV: STAFF ...... 4

SECTION V: CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE ...... 5

SECTION VI: BMP IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM ...... 6

GENERAL OPERATING LEVY PROJECTS ...... 6

CWP LOAN PROGRAM: HERON LAKE PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION PROJECT ...... 6

EPA 319 GRANT: JACK AND OKABENA CREEK SEDIMENT REDUCTION PROJECT ...... 6

CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY GRANT: HLWD AQUATIC-UPLAND PRAIRIE RESTORATION...... 7

DNR AQUATIC HABITAT PROGRAM: HERON LAKE WATERSHED SHORELINE RESTORATION PROJECTS ...... 7

LCCMR: HERON LAKE SEDIMENT AND PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS ...... 7

THIRD CROP PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION EFFORT ...... 8

SUMMER INTERNS ...... 8

MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF WATERSHED DISTRICT’S PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD ...... 10

GRANT APPLICATIONS ...... 11

SECTION VII: SURFACE WATER MONITORING ...... 11

SECTION VIII: IMPAIRED WATERS AND TMDL ...... 12

EPA 319 GRANT: WFDMR TMDL IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT ...... 12

SECTION IX: REGULATORY AND PERMITS ...... 14

RULES AND REGULATIONS ...... 14

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 14

SECTION X: FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION PROGRAM ...... 14

CWP CONTINUATION GRANT: ALTERNATIVE TILE INTAKE COST-SHARE PROGRAM ...... 14

HERON MEADOWS ...... 14

SECTION XI: PUBLIC DRAINAGE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ...... 15

JACKSON COUNTY JUDICIAL DITCH (JD) #31 ...... 15

JACKSON COUNTY JUDICIAL DITCH (JD) #30 ...... 16

SECTION XII: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ...... 16

2 SECTION XIII: EDUCATION ...... 17

EPA 319 GRANT: HERON LAKE SEDIMENT REDUCTION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ...... 17

EPA 319 GRANT: FULDA PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION INITIATIVE ...... 18

NORTH CENTRAL REGION – SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (SARE) GRANT: COVER CROP

DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ...... 20

CORN SYSTEMS COORDINATED AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM...... 21

NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION COVER CROP CHAMPIONS ...... 21

WEBSITE ...... 27

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PUBLIC EDUCATION MEETING ...... 27

EARTH DAY ...... 28

5TH GRADE CONSERVATION DAY ...... 28

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ...... 29

SOUTHWEST CIVIC ENGAGEMENT COHORT ON WATER QUALITY ...... 29

WATERSHED PROFESSIONALS NETWORK ...... 29

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY NEWSLETTER ...... 29

MAJOR WATERSHED PROJECT...... 29

CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE ...... 30

OTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES ...... 30

SECTION XIV: EVALUATION ...... 33

EDUCATION ...... 32

SURFACE WATER MONITORING ...... 33

BMP IMPLEMENTATION ...... 34

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ...... 35

FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION PROGRAM ...... 35

PERMITS AND NOTIFICATIONS ...... 35

PUBLIC DRAINAGE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ...... 35

IMPAIRED WATERS AND TMDL ...... 36

SECTION XV: 2014 FOCUS ...... 36

SECTION XVI: ACCOUNT BALANCES REPORT ...... 36

3 SECTION I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SECTION III: BOARD OF MANAGERS

Heron Lake and its watershed encompass many of the President Mike McCarvel has served on the board of man- same problems seen in other rural, agricultural areas in agers since 2000 and was appointed by the Nobles County Minnesota. Point and non-point source pollution, intensive Commissioners. His term ends February 24, 2015. Mike can tillage, non-compliant septic systems, feedlots, and urban be contacted at 35974 160th St., Brewster, MN 56119 or stormwater runoff are all problems that must be addressed. 507-842-5460. To work toward achieving the goals set in the Heron Lake Vice President Gary Ewert has served on the board of Watershed District (HLWD) Watershed Management Plan managers since 1995 and was appointed by the Nobles (WMP), a watershed approach was used to implement, County Commissioners. His term ends February 24, 2016. educate, monitor, and plan in 2013. This was done through Gary can be contacted at 2725 N. Rose Avenue, Worthington, the use of general operating levy funds, the administration MN 56187 or 507-360-7200. of eleven implementation, education, and demonstration Secretary Dale Bartosh has served on the board of man- grant programs, and one loan program. agers since 2004 and was appointed by the Jackson County HLWD staff meets one-on-one with landowners and Commissioners. His term ends on February 24, 2016. Dale operators to provide information about Best Management can be contacted at 33499 880th, Heron Lake, MN 56137 Practices (BMPs) programs offered through local, state, and or 507-793-2682. federal organizations. This resulted in the implementation of Treasurer Jim Buschena has served on the board of one terrace project, two streambank stabilization projects, managers since 2008 and was appointed by the Murray one grade stabilization project, one fl ood storage project, one County Commissioners. His term ends February 24, 2014. wetland restoration, one fl ood relief channel, 28 alternative Jim can be contacted at 2140 41st St., Fulda, MN 56131 or tile intakes, and fi ve rain gardens. 507-425-2649. The HLWD strives to provide educational opportunities Manager Roger Hartman was appointed by the Jackson for watershed residents on a regular basis. In 2013, this was County Commissioners in January of 2012. His term ends done through the website, newsletters, newspaper articles, February 24, 2015. Roger can be contacted at 87122 380th and news releases. In addition, several education events were Ave., Okabena, MN 56161 or 507-853-4644. held including presentations for the commissioners in Nobles, Jackson, Murray, and Cottonwood Counties; Jackson County Water Plan Committee; Fulda Game and Fish Club; Fulda Heritage Society; Fulda City Council; West Fork Des Moines River (WFDMR) and Heron Lake Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Advisory and Technical Committees; HLWD Citizens’ Advisory Committee; Cottonwood and Jackson County 5th Grade Conservation Day; Prairie Ecology Bus Center (PEBC) Earth Day; Rain Garden Field Trip; Legislative-Citizen Com- mission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) visit; Manure Management Workshop; and the Cover Crop Champions Field Day. Monitoring was done to measure water quality improve- ment. Samples were collected at three stream sites and six Left to right: Ewert, Buschena, McCarvel, Hartman, and lake sites in the watershed. Monitoring data was submitted to Bartosh. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in October 2013. HLWD staff actively sought additional funding to continue implementation and education efforts. Four applications SECTION IV: STAFF were submitted. Two were chosen for funding and two are Jan Voit has worked for being considered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources the HLWD for 31 years, serv- (BWSR). Results will be known in January 2014. ing as District Administrator for 18 years. She is respon- sible for grant writing, ad- ministration, and reporting, cost-share and incentive pro- SECTION II: MISSION STATEMENT gram development, education efforts, and watershed district The mission of the HLWD is to protect and improve administration including staff the water resources within its boundaries by supporting oversight, permitting, meeting watershed residents through the use of education and organization, finances, and fi nancial programs. civic engagement.

4 Ross Behrends served as The Personnel Committee Watershed Technician. He has consisting of Dale Bartosh, Mike been on staff for eight years. McCarvel, Ross Behrends, and He was responsible for contact- Jan Voit met on September 26, ing individual landowners, BMP 2013. The purpose of the meet- design and installation, water ing was to discuss the current quality monitoring, assessing work load, review the position the watershed, assisting with description, and discuss wages, grant applications and reports, benefi ts, and the hiring process. cost-share and developing in- The job announcement was centive programs, and erosion approved by the committee members on September 29, control permit applications and inspections. Ross Behrends 2013. It was sent to local news media, posted on the submitted his resignation on September 18, 2013. The HLWD and college websites, and sent to several other HLWD wishes him the best in his new endeavors. agencies. Twenty-two applications were submitted for the HLWD Kiel Tschumperlin was hired Watershed Technician position. Six were chosen for inter- as Watershed Coordinator. He views. Four candidates accepted interviews. The interview is responsible for implementing committee consisting of Mike McCarvel, Dale Bartosh, Ross a Level III Feedlot Inventory Behrends, Ed Lenz, and Jan Voit conducted interviews on as part of the WFDMR TMDL November 12, 2013. An offer was made on November 13, Implementation Project. He is 2013. Catherine Sereg accepted the position on November also responsible for working 14, 2013. She will begin her job on January 2, 2014. with MPCA and project partners to complete the Major Water- shed Project.

SECTION V: CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The board of managers appoints advisory committee members each year in January. Following is a list of the 2013 members. Albert Burmeister ...... 42772 850th Street, Lakefi eld, MN 56150 Robert Dieter ...... 20697 Sundberg Avenue, Brewster, MN 56119 Diane Graber ...... 606 Lake Street, Worthington, MN 56187 Rosemary Schulz ...... PO Box 426, Lakefi eld, MN 56150 Paul Hovland ...... 89499 420th Avenue, Heron Lake, MN 56137 Allen Jensen ...... 89133 380th Avenue, Heron Lake, MN 56137 Charlie Loosbrock ...... PO Box 98, Wilmont, MN 56185 Clarence Madsen ...... PO Box 175, Okabena, MN 56161 Kevin Stevens ...... 680 Plum Avenue, Windom, MN 56101 Andy Geiger ...... 405 4th Street, Jackson, MN 56143 Dave Thiner ...... PO Box 401, Fulda, MN 56131 Dean Schumacher ...... 711 Chapman, Heron Lake, MN 56137 Wayne Smith ...... Box 187, Worthington, MN 56187 Chris Hansen ...... PO Box 57, Slayton, MN 56172 Marv Zylstra ...... 18364 Read Avenue, Worthington, MN 56187 Ed Lenz ...... 1567 McMillan Street #3, Worthington, MN 56187 Brian Nyborg ...... 603 South Highway 86, Lakefi eld, MN 56150 Howard Konkol ...... 2740 22nd Street, Slayton, MN 56172 Kay Clark ...... 339 9th Street, Windom, MN 56101 Mark Bartosh ...... 13096 Wass Avenue, Dundee, MN 56131 Mark Hiles ...... 261 Highway 15 S., New Ulm, MN 56073 Katherine Pekarek-Scott ...... 1601 East Highway 12, Ste. 1, Willmar, MN 56201 Randy Markl ...... 175 County Road 26, Windom, MN 56101 Tom Kresko ...... 175 County Road 26, Windom, MN 56101 ... continued on page 6 5 ... continued from page 5 The HLWD Citizens’ Advisory Committee met on December 17, 2013. There were 10 members in attendance. Brian Nyborg was elected President. Andy Geiger was elected Secretary. Jan Voit gave a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the activities undertaken in 2013 and summarizing efforts planned for 2014. The committee passed a unanimous motion to draft a letter and submit it to the HLWD Board of Managers expressing support for moving forward with the feasibility study that is part of the WMP.

SECTION VI: BMP IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM

GENERAL OPERATING LEVY PROJECTS The HLWD provided cost-share funds through the general operating levy for the following projects shown in Table 1: Table 1. General Operating Levy Projects

County Project Amount Nobles Smith terraces 10,816.00 Nobles Putnam fi lter strip 479.04 Nobles Luitjens waterways 8,344.00 Nobles Jones rock inlets 900.00 Jackson Heron Meadows 14,816.00 Jack Creek streambank stabilization project Jackson Teal Lake Enhancement 1,000.00 ters Work Permit on March 6, 2013. The permit was approved Murray Fulda Lakes Biodetention Basin 3,077.50 by Tom Kresko, DNR Area Hydrologist, on May 22, 2013. Murray Crowley rock inlets 300.00 Ross Behrends met with Southwest Prairie Technical Service Area (SWPTSA) on February 5, 2013 to assist with Murray Dierks rock inlets 203.30 surveying the selected Jack Creek site. The plans for the Total 39,935.84 project were developed on Febru- ary 13, 2013. Duration: CWP LOAN PROGRAM: HERON LAKE On June 5, 2013, Jan Voit 10/01/2012 – reviewed photographic monitoring PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION PROJECT 08/31/2016 data. She provided Ross Behrends Grant amount: with information regarding site $20,600.00 The HLWD was awarded Duration: monitoring. Major tasks: Clean Water Partnership (CWP) 06/01/2012 – Ross Behrends met with land- One J-hook weir loan funds for septic system 05/23/2015 owners at potential Okabena project on Okabena replacement and conservation Loan amount: Creek locations on July 9 and July Creek and one on tillage equipment in May of $450,000.00 2012. 10, 2013. Jack Creek Major tasks: Ross Behrends and Amanda Four septic system re- Low interest loans placement loans were com- Schultz installed permanent photo for septic system monitoring stations at the Jack Creek site on July 10, 2013. pleted in 2013, three in Nobles replacement and County totaling $36,311.97 GPS points were taken at each of the photo monitoring loca- conservation tillage tions for the Jack Creek site. and one in Jackson County equipment totaling $10,701.50. Ross Behrends met with SWPTSA on July 18, 2013 for a site review on potential Okabena Creek sites. The Okabena Creek project site was selected and the plans for the project EPA 319 GRANT: were developed by SWPTSA on July 22, 2013. JACK AND OKABENA CREEK Ross Behrends and SWPTSA were at the Jack Creek site SEDIMENT REDUCTION PROJECT to begin project construction and assist the contractor with project installation. The Jack Creek project was completed HLWD staff drafted an Environmental Protection Agency and certifi ed on August 10, 2013 by SWPTSA. Ross Behrends (EPA) 319 Development, Education, or Research Project grant certifi ed the Jack Creek seeding on August 12, 2013. for the Jack and Okabena Creek Sediment Reduction Project Summer interns conducted photo monitoring at the Jack to install practices to reduce streambank erosion. Creek site on July 10, 2013 and August 21, 2013. Photo Ross Behrends drafted and submitted the DNR Public Wa- monitoring location was re-established on August 21, 2013. 6 CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY sediment and the upland restoration plan were changed. Instead of killing the existing vegetation and reseeding, an GRANT: HLWD AQUATIC-UPLAND attempt will be made to improve the existing prairie through PRAIRIE RESTORATION prescribed burns. The area disturbed during the sediment removal will be reseeded to an approved prairie mix in May On November 16, 2012, the HLWD was notifi ed that 2014. we were the recipients of a Conservation Partners Legacy Grant. This grant will provide funds DNR AQUATIC HABITAT PROGRAM: for cleaning out the accumulated sediment within HLWD property Duration: HERON LAKE WATERSHED in Section 21, Seward Township, 01/09/2013 – SHORELINE RESTORATION Nobles County and restoring the 06/30/2016 PROJECTS vegetation to native species. It Grant amount: is estimated to take four weeks $24,999.00 The HLWD application to the to acquire the DNR’s approval to Major tasks: Aquatic Habitat Program for the begin working on the project. Clean Heron Lake Watershed Shoreline Duration: Ross Behrends met with Gass accumulated Restoration Projects was recom- 08/01/2012 – Trenching on January 15, 2013 to sediment and mended for funding. With these 08/31/2016 discuss the project and determine restore vegetation Aquatic Habitat Grant funds, the Grant amount: if it was feasible to complete the in Seward 21 HLWD intends to implement up to $30,000.00 excavation work. It was deter- eight shoreline restoration projects Major tasks: mined that excavating the site at within the watershed. This will be Install three that time was not possible. Ross Behrends met with Gass done by enhancing and restoring shoreline Trenching on August 14, 2013 for a preconstruction meeting both shallow water and upland restoration projects and bid documentation. habitat through installation of na- in the Heron Lake Email correspondence was sent to the DNR Area Wildlife tive shoreline plants and aquatic Watershed Manager in Windom on August 21, 2013. This correspon- vegetation. The HLWD will also dence requested assistance in developing a burn plan for provide public education through spring of 2014. The DNR Area Wildlife Manager forwarded the the distribution of newspaper articles and one newsletter. request to DNR Wildlife in Slayton, DNR Eco Prairie staff, and On September 4, 2013, the DNR sent the signed, autho- the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Ross Behrends met rized grant agreement for the Aquatic Habitat Restoration with Eric Earhardt, USFWS on August 26, 2013. The USFWS Grant. Ross Behrends met with landowners regarding shore- is optimistic that they will be able to assist with the spring line restoration projects. Four projects have been secured for burn and is planning on completing the prescribed burn in installation in 2014. Two projects will be on the Fulda Lakes and two will be on East Graham Lake. LCCMR: HERON LAKE SEDIMENT AND PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS The HLWD was awarded $122,000 from the LCCMR for the installation of two streambank Duration: stabilization projects, three water 07/01/2013 – and sediment control basins, two 06/30/2016 biodetention basins, and one bio- Grant amount: retention basin. Water samples will $120,000.00 be collected and analyzed over a Major tasks: three-year period and compared Install projects, to data gathered since 1996 as monitor water Excavation at the Seward 21 site a means to determine project ef- quality, and outreach May of 2014 through the USFWS Private Lands program. fectiveness. The results of these Early fall provided the dry period needed to complete the efforts will be summarized in a sediment removal. Despite not being as dry as hoped, the newsletter distributed to approxi- contractor was able to clean the majority of the accumulated mately 3,500 HLWD residents, agency personnel, and legis- sediment to allow for the aquatic restoration in 2014. lators. A one-day fi eld day will be held in an effort to reach Judy Shulte, Prairie Specialist with the DNR, determined 50 watershed landowners and share information regarding there were small, isolated areas of degraded remnant prairie. water quality improvement and what can be done to assist As a result, the area planned for spreading the excavated ... continued on page 8 7 ... continued from page 7 THIRD CROP PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION EFFORT On June 11, 2013, an EPA 319 application was submitted to the MPCA. The application, Heron Lake Third Crop Phos- phorus Reduction Effort, was required to be based upon the TMDL Implementation Plan. Funds in the amount of $33,120 were requested to provide incentives to establish 200 acres of cover crops on an annual basis during the three-year grant period. In addition, a steering committee would be estab- lished to assist in identifying barriers to making changes and develop strategies for behavior change. MPCA sent notice that the proposal was recommended for funding on July 1, 2013. The MPCA received 22 TMDL Implementation proposals re- questing over twice the amount of total grant money available. This Duration: project was one of six chosen to 08/01/2012 – Okabena Creek streambank stabilization project construction be funded this year. 08/31/2016 in pollution-reducing projects. On July 11, 2013, MPCA sent Grant amount: The work plan for the LCCMR grant was reviewed in May the work plan, Gantt chart and $30,000.00 of 2013. A Restoration Enhancement Management Plan was budget guidance for the Heron Major tasks: developed and submitted on May 20, 2013. Lake Third Crop Phosphorus Re- Install three On May 21, 2013, Jan Voit had the opportunity to discuss duction Effort. The deadline for shoreline the work plan and management plan with Susan Thornton, submitting forms to MPCA was July restoration projects LCCMR. She was extremely pleased with the work that had 24, 2013. The work plans were in the Heron Lake gone into satisfying all of their requests. On June 11, 2013, submitted to EPA for review soon Watershed the LCCMR began approving project work plans so that fund- after that. ing could begin on July 1, 2013. A draft version of the work The fi nal version of the work plan for the LCCMR grant plan was sent to Pete Fastner, was received on July 17, 2013. This is the working document MPCA, on July 17, 2013. The plan was approved by MPCA that will be used throughout the grant period. It contains and sent to EPA for review on July 24, 2013. The work plan the legal citation and appropriation language from the Min- was approved and contract executed on November 21, 2013. nesota Legislature. The project will begin on July 1, 2014. The Okabena Creek Streambank Stabilization and the Fulda Lakes Biodetention Basin projects were completed in SUMMER INTERNS 2013. A contractor has been secured to install the remaining projects in 2014. Water quality monitoring was conducted Over the past eighteen years, the HLWD, North Heron Lake Game Producers Association (NHLGPA), and other partners, have provided thirty one students with the op- portunity to gain experience, meet professionals in the fi eld, and develop life-long skills. Sixteen applications were received for the summer intern positions available through the HLWD and NHLGPA. The opportunity for an interview was offered to six of the applicants. Four interviews were conducted at the HLWD offi ce on March 8, 2013. Amanda Schultz accepted. She is attending the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Water Resources Major and a Soil Science Minor. She began her internship on May 22, 2013 and ended it on August 29, 2013. Nick Bancks also accepted. He is a fi rst-year graduate student in the Natural Resource Sciences and Management program at the UM-Twin Cities, majoring in Economics, So- ciety, Policy, and Management. He began his internship on Completed Fulda Lakes biodetention basin May 13, 2013 and ended it on September 5, 2013. The HLWD and partners recognize that water pollution from April through September. The HLWD hosted a watershed reduction efforts for Heron Lake and its watershed must tour on August 21, 2013. The Okabena Creek Streambank include the environmental education of future generations. Stabilization project was one of the tour stops. Through the internship program, these students gain valuable 8 The following information appeared in the Watershed Network News published by MPCA.

Watershed news briefs

Nick Bancks and Amanda Schultz Heron Lake District welcomes summer interns experience and knowledge from their efforts, which assists Nick Bancks and Amanda Schultz will be summer interns with them in obtaining full-time employment, developing their the Heron Lake Watershed District. Nick will begin his internship careers, and working towards overall environmental improve- on May 13. He is a fi rst-year graduate student in the Natural Re- source Sciences and Management program at the University of ments in diverse fi elds. The HLWD and NHLGPA have made Minnesota-Twin Cities, majoring in economics, Society, Policy, and a commitment to continue with the internship program. We Management. Amanda will begin her internship on May 22, 2013. are proud of all the interns and graduate students and look She is attending the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a forward to continuing the project for a very long time. water resources major and a soil science minor. The following articles were written by Mike Jordan and were published in the Lakefi eld Standard. HLWD summer intern identifi es dream job with USGS by MIKE JORDAN each site that records the size and shapes that helped me get a feel for Heidi and Ricky Schultz. Staff Writer height of the water every each homeowner wants,” what each does and how Heidi works for Rock- 15 minutes. Schultz said. “On Aug. 8, they work together to get wood Products at Mani- Amanda Schultz, a na- “So you can see the the Prairie Ecology Bus things accomplished.” towoc and Ricky works tive of Manitowoc, Wis., fluctuation in the water Center will be hosting Schultz also enjoys in maintenance for Mani- is one of two Heron Lake levels with rain events, a tour of the rain gar- working with both Jan towoc Ice, a company Watershed District in- storms and drought,” dens at Fulda. We will Voit and Ross Behrends that builds ice machines terns working this sum- she said. “When it rains, be planting those native of the HLWD because and other food service mer to perform weekly the water moves pretty plants, … plants that they both stay busy equipment there. She water sampling at Jack quickly across the fields grow wild in Minnesota, and always have some- has a brother, Josh, who and Okabena creeks, the and will pick up those that we will use in the thing for her to do, but is 28 and works with Heron Lake outlet and nutrients with it. When project then.” completing those tasks computers. six lakes, along with a there is a really heavy The interns were also has been a challenge at When not working or Amanda Schultz large variety of other du- rainfall and there is a lot involved in the sizing of times, too, she said. studying, Schultz enjoys ties all over the district. of water moving at one the rain gardens and pre- “The hard part has doing just about anything tem is like has been en- “Every Monday morn- time, the water will be a liminary plant placement been making sure each outdoors. She and her lightening, coming from ing, we go out to the lot more turbid because decisions as well. task we have gets done,” mother and grandmother the woodlands of Wis- three creeks and collect it is picking up all that Last week, however, she said. “There are so have horses and enjoy consin. It has been kind three bottles of water sediment. the two interns spent two many things to do all at riding. She and her boy- of fun being transplanted samples that we send off “We have had two big days traveling all over once, but Jan and Ross friend like bow hunting. into a community that to the lab, where they projects this summer,” the watershed district, got us a calendar with “I brought my bow really has a hard agricul- get tested for nitrogen, Schultz added. “One has assisting the banding of every big event coming with me and practice tural base, and learning phosphorous and turbid- been the water sampling geese by the Windom up listed on it that has when I’m not hunting,” about prairie ecology has ity,” Schultz said. “Tur- and the other is the rain Department of Natural been a great help.” she said. “I also like to been neat too.” bidity checks the clar- garden projects that we Resources office. Schultz will be return- fish.” Schultz first learned ity of the water at those have been working really “It was fun,” she said, ing to college come Sep- Coming from the of the opening for a locations and what is hard on.” “but I got some nasty tember at the Univer- woodlands of Wisconsin, summer intern at the suspended in the water. Schultz and her fel- scars on my arm from sity of Wisconsin-Stevens Schultz has developed a HLWD online and then This summer, we have low intern, Nick Bancks, the geese doing it. We Point, where she is ma- better understanding of via email. She also ap- seen a huge fluctuation have been assisting with banded a total of 470 joring in water resources and appreciation for the preciated being able to in the creeks. When I the Fulda rain gardens geese, which was pretty and pursuing a minor in prairie lands of southern interview via Skype. got here, they were low, project that came about close to our goal of 500. soil science and a certifi- Minnesota. “This is my last year as we hadn’t gotten rain through a grant to the We went all over the area cate in wetland science. “I’ve learned a lot this of college,” she said. “I in a while. In early sum- watershed. Those rain doing it and fell just short “After college, my summer as an intern with have two jobs on campus mer, we had quite a bit gardens were dug Friday, of our goal by 30 geese.” dream job would be to the Heron Lake Water- and am also the president of rain, so there were and this week the interns Schultz has found the work for the (U.S. Geo- shed District,” she said. of a club, … the SWAMP decent levels. Then, with have been at work plac- variety of her summer logical Survey) doing “I’ve learned there are Club, which stands for that huge storm we had ing the native Minnesota intern work with the wetland research with a lot of different views Students for Wetlands over a month ago, the plants in the five rain HLWD particularly en- them,” she said. “But and opinions as to what Awareness Management creeks rose and were re- gardens, all located at joyable. really, working with is right for the environ- Protection.” ally high. Now they are different residential sites “Every day I am doing any agency or company ment, and in most re- back to pretty low again.” in the Fulda area. something different,” she working outdoors trying spects, everyone is cor- Schultz also noted the “We have been work- said, “and we get to work to restore habitat would rect in some aspect. But watershed has a TR-10 ing hard to get the right with different govern- be a job I would enjoy.” learning what the prairie plants that are the right ment agencies, which has Schultz’s parents are ecology sys- gauging station tower at ... continued on page 10 9 ... continued from page 9 Fairmont native gains hands-on experience as HLWD summer intern by MIKE JORDAN doing a lot of work with Just recently, he has this week we are doing his job interesting and emerald ash borer in also assisted local Min- the plantings.” has been able to witness Staff Writer outstate communities nesota Department of Additional work the the fulltime HLWD staff to get them ready for Natural Resources staff interns have gotten in- listen to citizens’ con- Heron Lake Water- EAB. Most cities’ trees in banding geese — and volved with, according cerns while conveying to shed District summer in those areas are 60 in one particular stretch, to Bancks, includes com- them the importance of intern Nick Bancks is percent ash.” traveling 250 miles to pliance checks and best environmental steward- an experienced educa- Previously Bancks band 370 of them. management practices ship, he noted. tor and, for three years, taught at St. Paul Acad- “Our goal was 500 in checks across the dis- “My career goal is was a teacher of biol- emy in St. Paul for five the two days we did it, trict. to work in the natural ogy and chemistry at St. years. He had applied but we came up only 30 “I started my sum- resources field,” Bancks Benedict’s, a school in for and has had a num- short of our goal, and mer internship … back said. “I’m leaning toward Newkirk, N.J. He holds ber of opportunities for it was fun doing it,” he in the second week of the local governmen- a bachelor’s degree from summer internships in said. “We traveled from May,” he said. “It is to tal level, working with Nick Bancks St. John’s University in Minnesota, but chose the Lake Augusta to Lake end toward the last week people toward the goals “The most impor- biology and a master’s HLWD summer intern Benton doing the band- of August or first week of good stewardship and tant things I’ve learned degree in library science position because of the ing.” in September. I found awareness of, as well as so far this summer has from the University of good reputation the dis- Other than water sam- the geese banding excit- conservation of, land and been monitoring (HLWD Wisconsin. trict has within the state pling, Bancks and his ing and am enjoying the water, whether with the staff) Ross (Behrends) But what has brought and the opportunity to do fellow summer intern, rain gardens, interacting DNR or another agency.” and Jan (Voit), observing him to southwest Min- a variety of things like Amanda Schultz, have with the community of Bancks is married, their persistence in their nesota is his future, not water sampling, helping been focusing on the rain Fulda as they learn how and he and his wife, Jodi, efforts for water quality,” his past. with testing for water garden projects at Fulda. rain gardens affect water who is a home care pe- he said. “Their focus- “I am experiencing a quality and exploring “This summer we quality, as well as help- diatric nurse, have a ing on funding through career shift and am fin- his interest in water and were involved in the de- ing with water quality 3-week-old son, Landon, grants to get another ishing up my first year of land stewardship, he sign and setup of the awareness issues in that who is their first child. terrace, waterway or grad school at the Uni- noted. rain gardens with the community.” When not studying or rain garden established versity of Minnesota in “I was impressed with homeowners where the The interns also at work, Bancks enjoys and not get frustrated by their natural resources this internship opportu- rain gardens are being worked with the North time with his family and the time it takes … their program up there, work- nity,” Bancks said. “Not located, helping them Heron Lake Game Pro- is an avid outdoorsman persistence and always ing with the forestry re- all water districts have decide what flowers and ducers, conducting ar- who engages in hunting being upbeat about it, sources department. My it. So far we have been grasses they would like tificial nesting site sur- and fishing as well as working toward their adviser is the extension doing weekly water sam- to see in their rain gar- veys. camping and traveling. goal, whatever it is, has program professor of pling of three creeks and dens. We really spent a Bancks has found He is also involved in a been a great lesson for urban and community six lakes in the HLWD lot of time on that,” he the human dynamics of Metro Pheasants Forever me.” forestry,y, Gary y Johnson,” , and sendisendingng them in to said. “LastLast week the rain workingw with homeown- board and working with BaBancksncks said.said. “I’ve“I’ve beenbeen ththee llabab fforor testtesting.”ing.” ggardensardens were ddugug anandd erse and landowners in youth and youth hunts.

Minnesota Association of Watershed District's Project of the Year Award Time was spent during the month of September drafting the Minnesota Association of Watershed Dis- trict’s (MAWD) Project of the Year Award application for Grassroots Effort to Bring Back the Fulda Lakes. Photo courtesy of Brian Nyborg Daniel Evers of the Minnesota Conservation Corps (from left); Sonja Koch and Chris Bauer, both of the The application was completed and submitted on Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District; and Nick Bancks and Amanda Schultz of the Heron Lake Watershed District create a rain garden at the new campground expansion at Brown Park, planting September 17, 2013. 160 plants of 12 varieties last Tuesday. The HLWD was the recipient of the MAWD Proj- Rain garden at county campground a cooperative eff ort by MIKE JORDAN Staff Writer bullet edgers,” Nyborg said. “The from the state for water plan ac- wood chips will decrease grass tivities,” he said. “This project fits Jackson County’s newly ex- and weed competition. We are the purpose of that money perfect- panded Brown County Park is presently seeking second bids for ly. Other water plan expenditures now soaking up more than just the bullet edgers that will delineate include sealing abandoned wells, a attention surrounding its cabins the area of the rain garden from small amount for the farm bill tech and campground. the surrounding turf grasses al- and several other small projects.” A rain garden was installed ready established there.” Nyborg said former Jackson on July 23, thanks to a coopera- The 160 plants were carefully County Parks/Environmental tive effort of staff from state and placed 36 inches apart in a natu- Services Manager Gordy Ol- local government agencies and ral area or depression that was son approached his office about organizations. reworked to make a home for the designing and putting in a rain Under the leadership of the plants, he added. The soil was garden at Brown Park when the Jackson Soil and Water Conser- turned and an old water intake at park’s expansion and campground vation District’s Sonja Koch, the the site that ran into Loon Lake was added. rain garden features more than was closed off. The natural drain- “We will maintain the rain gar- 160 new grass plants, consisting of age into the rain garden will pro- den until this fall,” he said. “Dan- 12 different varieties planted with vide the moisture needed to make iel will be doing that work for us. the help of Chris Bauer, SWCD; the plantings flourish. The wood chips will be provided Daniel Evers of the Minnesota “The depressional nature of by Jackson County Public Works, Conservation Corps; and Heron the area was reshaped to make but our staff will spread them into Lake Watershed District summer it more clearly defined,” Nyborg and around the rain garden.” interns Nick Bancks and Amanda said. “The intake was sealed so The project is located in the new Schultz, according to SWCD Man- the surface water will now benefit campground addition to Brown ager Brian Nyborg. the plants.” County Park at the north end of The new rain garden at the park Funding for the plants and edg- the circular drive that provides covers about 1,000 square feet. ers will come from the Jackson access to the park’s new cabins, “Work still to be completed at County Water Plan, Nyborg noted. as well as the new RV sites. the park includes wood chips and “Each year we get about $20,000 10 GRANT APPLICATIONS ect of the Year Award for the Grassroots Effort to Bring Back Fulda Lakes. The award was presented Each year, an extensive amount of time is spent looking at the MAWD Banquet on December 6, 2013. for additional means to provide watershed residents with Being recognized by our peers for this effort is fi nancial assistance and educational opportunities. very rewarding. Watershed district managers and The following grant applications were submitted: staff throughout the state took time to express their • National Wildlife Federation (May 2013) appreciation for the efforts put forth in this project • Heron Lake Third Crop Phosphorus Reduction Effort and the work that we do with such limited funding. (June 2013) • Clean Water Fund (CWF) – 2 applications (September Following is the Worthington Daily Globe 2013) article from December 10, 2013. SECTION VII: SURFACE WATER MONITORING

In 2013, the following monitoring efforts were under- taken. Three streams sites were sampled 20 times and six lakes were sampled monthly from June through September. Samples were analyzed by Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratories (MVTL) for the parameters listed above. Results were recorded in eQUIS and submitted to MPCA in October 2013. Average concentrations have been calculated and those results are listed below. Loadings will be determined during the spring of 2014 and presented at the June 2014 board meeting. Jack Creek, Okabena Creek and Heron Lake Outlet were sampled in 2013. Average concentrations were signifi cantly lower at all three sites most likely a result of low fl ows begin- ning in June. Compared to 2012, average Total Phosphorus (TP) concentrations in 2013 decreased by 31.5 percent at Jack Creek, 42.4 percent at Okabena Creek, and 32.6 percent at the Heron Lake Outlet (Figure 1). Total Suspended Solids (TSS) decreased in 2013 by 68.3 percent at Jack Creek, 56.2 percent at Okabena Creek and 44.2 percent the Heron Lake Outlet compared to 2012 average concentrations (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Average Concentrations of TP from 2004 through 2013 at Jack Creek, Okabena Creek, and the Heron Lake Outlet

... continued on page 12 11 ... continued from page 11

Figure 2. Average Concentrations of TSS from For the fi rst time since 2010, six lake sites were sampled 2004 through 2013 at Jack Creek, Okabena Creek, through the HLWD. North and South Heron Lake, East and and the Heron Lake Outlet West Graham, and First and Second Fulda Lakes were sampled monthly from May through September. Chloro- phyll A (Chl A) decreased at all sites except West Graham Lake where it remained the same as 2012. TP average concentrations remained the same or slightly decreased in 2013 compared to 2010 in Fulda Lakes and Graham Lakes. There was a slight increase in TP average concentrations in North and South Heron Lake in 2013. TSS decreased in 2013 at North Heron, East Graham, and First Fulda Lakes. TSS concentrations increased in South Heron Lake and Sec- ond Fulda Lake. TSS remained the same at West Graham Lake. All the lakes except North and South Heron lakes are meeting or exceeding the long term phosphorus goals. See Table 2 below.

Table 2. Summary of In-Lake Total Phosphorus Goals

Summary of In-Lake Total Phosphorous Goals For Lakes in the Heron Lake Watershed 1992 1997-2002 Short Long Summer Summer Term Term Lakes Average Average Goals Goals 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2006 2009 2010 2013 First Fulda 161 148 145 60-140 136 166 80 228 149 127 70 194 70 49 Second Fulda 173 148 111 25-105 142 161 56 225 184 121 67 179 80 54 West Graham 213 156 196 111-191 160 140 95 285 157 100 96 348 175 122 East Graham 206 188 193 108-188 142 159 114 340 172 200 133 112 148 199 North Heron 316 558 158 73-153 663 570 363 610 727 413 358 315 281 423 South Heron 288 690 174 89-169 583 676 293 1346 549 684 1495 349 289 486 * Red values are values exceeding short term goals for that site

South Heron Lake may have a contaminated sampled causing the elevated average. Based on OP, Chl A & TSS concentrations & intern field reports, SHL had fairly good water quality in 2006.

Note: Short Term Goals were based on BATHTUB modeling with Point Sources reduced to 1 mg/l and Nonpoint Sources reduced by 25%, excluding feedlot loading reductions. Long Term Goals were based on a feedlot loading reduction of 5-85 ug/L.

SECTION VIII: IMPAIRED WATERS AND TMDL

EPA 319 GRANT: WFDMR TMDL IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT A meeting with the County Feedlot Offi cers (CFOs) was held Grant term: Feedlot inspections were conducted on a monthly basis on February 7, 2013. Discussion 01/01/2011 – from January through December. Project updates were given was held regarding the proper 08/31/2015 to the board of managers on a monthly basis throughout defi nition of shoreland, one mile Grant amount: 2013. principle that is used in determin- $190,248.00 Kiel Tschumplerin attended the Jackson County Water ing discharge distance from a Major tasks: Plan Committee Meeting on January 24, 2013. He gave a lake, usage of best professional Level III Feedlot PowerPoint presentation about 2012 activities in the WFMDR judgment and its implications on Inventory TMDL Implementation Project and answered questions re- MinnFARM compliance determi- garding the project. nations, how to run MinnFARM if

12 there are no livestock on site, animal unit density (AUD) and pollution potential, timeframe for issuing follow-up informa- tion to operators and entry of data into the Delta database, requirements for manure management plans (MMPs) and manure records, and the manure management workshop. Kiel Tschumperlin attended the Nobles County Plan- ning and Zoning Meeting on February 27, 2013. He gave a presentation on the project that offered them background information, progress to date, and a chance to ask any ques- tions about the Implementation Project. Kiel Tschumperlin attended a Manure Grid Sampling Workshop in Lake Crystal, MN on March 4, 2013. The work- shop focused on the economics of grid sampling fi elds. Sev- eral case studies were presented that backed their fi ndings. Past methods of manure and fertilizer application consisted of spreading across the entire fi eld at the same rate. Grid Manure Management Workshop audience sampling enables producers to target certain areas of the fi eld based on nutrient needs. It is benefi cial for preventing of the project and progress to date. long-term phosphorus (P) buildup and zonal application of The advertisement for the Manure Management Work- Nitrogen (N) and P. shop was distributed to local news media for price quotes on Kiel Tschumperlin attended a Commercial Animal Waste July 9, 2013. Quotes were higher than the amount budgeted. Technician (CAWT) workshop in Adrian, MN on March 6, 2013. Katherine Pekarek-Scott suggested completing a change The workshop covered topics related to manure sampling and order to cover the additional $400.00 for advertising costs. application, emergency response, Minnesota Department of A change order was drafted and sent to Katherine on July Transportation regulations, P management, the economics of 16, 2013. The change order was approved on July 17, 2013. manure, and grid sampling. The workshop did a very good The manure management workshop was held at the job of covering a wide variety of topics, all of which were Heron Lake Community Center on July 31, 2013. The event pertinent to everyone who attended. began with registration at 9:30 am. Presentations began at On May 2, 2013, the WFDMR TMDL Implementation 10:00 am. Kiel Tschumperlin kicked off the workshop with a Project semi-annual meeting was held. Kiel Tschumperlin presentation on the background of the TMDL Implementa- gave a PowerPoint presentation which included an overview tion project. Jose Hernandez, University of Minnesota (UM), presented on P management and the economics of manure. Andy Nesseth, Extended Ag Inc., presented information about grid sampling techniques and the economics of preci- sion agriculture. Wayne Cords, MPCA, presented on manure sampling techniques and application setbacks, manure record keeping requirements, and emergency response. There were 31 people, including staff that attended the workshop. On September 11, 2013, TMDL Implementation Plan partners met to discuss the CWF grant round. Discussion was held regarding potential projects and project ideas. There are several feedlot and streambank stabilization projects that have been identifi ed. After the estimates were received, a determination was made that one application would be submitted. On October 23, 2013, Al Langseth, Nobles CFO; Jon Bloemendaal, Murray CFO; Jake Grages, Jackson CFO; Katherine Pekarek-Scott, MPCA; and Kiel Tschumperlin and Jan Voit met. The purpose of the meeting was to receive an update on watershed feedlot statistics and discuss is- sues related to grassed waterways, use of best professional judgment, manure management plans and manure records, follow up letters, and the upcoming semi-annual meeting. On December 10, 2013, the Semi-Annual Meeting was held. Kiel Tschumperlin gave a PowerPoint presentation and explained the progress of the Implementation Project. Sta- tistics were given regarding compliant versus non-compliant sites. Questions were also answered about the project and the inventory process. Discussion was held on the progress Enjoying the meal sponsored by the Cottonwood, Jackson, of feedlot fi xes. and Nobles County Corn and Soybean Growers 13 intakes with rock inlets, and monitor for changes and SECTION IX: REGULATORY AND improvement. PERMITS The HLWD and SWCD staff provided fi rst-hand infor- mation about the program requirements through direct mailing, fl yers, one-on-one contact, a watershed-wide RULES AND REGULATIONS newsletter, and press releases to local news media. These efforts proved successful in that there were a total The HLWD, in a joint effort with the Okabena-Ocheda of 114 open tile intakes replaced with rock inlets in the Watershed District (O-OWD), implemented rules for storm- four-county project area. Operators were enthusiastic water and erosion control. The purpose of these rules is to about the program and commented that the rock inlets afford the greatest possible protection to the water quality, were convenient for their farming operation and helped fl ow regime, and habitat of the Heron Lake and Okabena- to improve water quality. Ocheda watersheds. The HLWD and O-OWD adopted National The estimated reduction in phosphorus is 114 pounds Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II per year. The estimated reduction in sediment is 22.8 standards for erosion and runoff control. These changes tons per year. were made in April 2005. In 2013, six permits were issued for erosion control dur- The fi nal report for the Alternative Tile Intake Cost-Share ing and after construction. Program was sent to the SWCD and Natural Resources Con- servation Service (NRCS) offi ces in Nobles, Jackson, Murray, WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN and Cottonwood Counties as required by the grant work plan. The fi nal report was also sent to the BWSR. The HLWD WMP calls for an annual work plan and bud- get. This document was submitted to Mark Hiles, BWSR, on February 13, 2013.

SECTION X: FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION PROGRAM

CWP CONTINUATION GRANT: ALTERNATIVE TILE INTAKE COST- SHARE PROGRAM Changes were made to the Alternative Tile Intake Cost- Share Program Final Report on July 9, 2013. The revised version was submitted to Pete Fastner, MPCA in St. Paul. The fi nal report was approved by MPCA on July 22, 2013. The Installing an alternative tile intake Executive Summary is included below. The Heron Lake watershed encompasses many of the HERON MEADOWS same problems seen in other agricultural areas in Min- nesota. A diagnostic study completed in 1992 indicated Dale Bartosh, Ross Behrends, and Jan Voit met with the watershed’s major problems are a direct result of Randy Markl and Tom Kresko, DNR on February 14, 2013. The drainage and the resulting higher peak and base fl ows, purpose of the meeting was to review the preliminary project urban sources of pollution and storm water runoff, and design drafted by SWPTSA and discuss how to proceed for intensive agricultural land use. These same problems the proposed Heron Meadows project. Two options were are prevalent throughout the four counties within the outlined and provided to the managers for review. project area. Ross Behrends and Jan Voit worked with Randy Markl and Farmers within Nobles, Jackson, Murray, and Cotton- Tom Kresko, DNR to draft a Memorandum of Understanding wood counties have been receptive to programs avail- (MOU). The letter to the landowners regarding the proposed able for installing fi lter strips, waterways, terraces, and project on the Valleau Wildlife Management Area was revised. wetland restorations. Increasing the soil conservation Both documents were sent to the managers for review. The practices within the watershed is a vital component for landowner letter was sent, along with an invitation to attend water quality improvement. To address the water quality the April 16, 2013 board meeting. concerns that arise from phosphorus loading, erosion, The cost-share assistance agreement for the Heron and sedimentation, this project hoped to increase public Meadows project was drafted and sent to Ross Behrends for awareness of pollution problems, provide cost-share review. A draft version was sent to the board of managers in for landowners and farm operators to replace open tile the meeting packet. The agreement was signed by Allen Jen- sen on June 19, 2013 and Mike McCarvel on June 25, 2013. 14 SECTION XI: PUBLIC DRAINAGE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

JACKSON COUNTY JUDICIAL DITCH (JD) #31 The viewers’ and engineer’s reports were submitted on June 10, 2013. The reports were distributed to the HLWD board of managers, Jackson SWCD and NRCS, HLWD legal counsel, and petitioner’s legal counsel. Ron Ringquist attended the June board meeting to explain the Viewers’ Report. He also provided the following explanation that was included in the meeting packet. The redetermined benefi t value is $3,939,939. This is Heron Meadows project construction our opinion of the value added to the watershed from the Tom Kresko, DNR, distributed the application for the existing ditch, in a reasonable state of repair. Duane has Heron Meadows project for review on July 23, 2013. This stated that the system does not function as well as when information was also sent to the affected landowners. The originally installed and that the cost to repair the parts comment period ended on August 6, 2013. The DNR Public being replaced is $284,765. This will be charged as repair Waters Work Permit was issued on August 28, 2013. An ap- to the redetermined benefi ts. (Separable maintenance) proval letter from the Army Corps of Engineers was required The total proposed project cost is $1,188,458. Less the before work could begin. The Wildlife Management Area separable maintenance leaves $903,693 as the cost of Special Use Permit and Wetland Conservation Act Notice of the improvement. The benefi ts from the improvement Decision for the Heron Meadows project were issued. will add an additional $1,041,666 to the benefi ts that The Heron Meadows project entailed modifying an ex- now exist. isting berm, constructing an outlet channel, and placement of riprap within the Valleau Wildlife Management Area. The When I put the landowner Reports together, they will project site is located in Section 25, LaCrosse Township in include the cost for both parts and a total estimated cost Jackson County. Ross Behrends contacted Ken Williams for everyone. The properties not improved by the project regarding constructing the Heron Meadows project before will still have some of the repair cost, but no cost for the freeze up. He assured that all permits were in place, ar- improvement. On the Improvement report they have no ranged for fi ll removal, and secured all the supplies needed net benefi t or estimated cost listed. for project completion. Ron Ringquist submitted the property owners report Construction began on November 26, 2013 and con- for Jackson County JD #31 on July 15, 2013. The report cluded on November 27, 2013. Ross’s extra efforts to get was reviewed and revised. Copies of the property owners this project completed were greatly appreciated. and viewers reports were sent to affected landowners on July 15, 2013. The expenditures spreadsheet was updated and sent to HLWD legal counsel, petitioners’ legal counsel, engineer, and viewers on July 17, 2013. A meeting schedule was developed on July 17, 2013. Nine landowner meetings were held on August 15, 2013 at the community center. The viewers’ provided an explana- tion of the redetermination and determination of benefi ts. Landowners and operators asked questions regarding the viewing process, project, costs, and legal requirements. The expenditures spreadsheet was updated and sent to HLWD legal counsel, petitioners’ legal counsel, engineer, and viewer on August 20, 2013. The fi nal hearing was held on August 22, 2013. The hearing was adjourned to allow the engineer to gather more data. At the end of August, the Jackson County Attorney cor- responded with HLWD legal counsel regarding drainage law and a watershed district’s authority. Despite HLWD legal Protected outlet channel of the Valleau berm project counsel citing the specifi c statutes that regulate watershed district activity in regard to improvements, laterals, and new construction, the Jackson County attorney alleged that the ... continued on page 16 15 ... continued from page 15 in order to open bids. He only needed one person from the HLWD had illegally taken over two ditch systems in Jackson HLWD present for the opening and that could be her. He also County. said there is a 30-day appeal period for the Findings and Or- On September 9, 2013, Kurt Deter referenced this issue der the board approved at the November 19, 2013 meeting. in his comments at the MN Drainage Inspectors meeting. He The board cannot award bids until after December 19, 2013. said that there was confusion amongst the Jackson County Bids for the Jackson County JD #31 improvement project Commissioners in regard to drainage law. He also stated that were received on December 16, 2013. There were six bidders. the law clearly states that a petition for improvement must Bids ranged from $1.58 million to $813,000. The low bidder be brought to a watershed district. was The Mathiowetz Construction Company from Sleepy Eye. Mike McCarvel attended the Jackson County board meet- Duane Hansel will review the bids and make a recommenda- ing on September 10, 2013. Kurt Deter was there to address tion to the board at the January meeting. this issue with the county commissioners. He informed them that the HLWD is the proper drainage authority for these JACKSON COUNTY JUDICIAL DITCH proposed improvements. He also let them know that there (JD) #30 is no statutory mechanism for the HLWD to give the ditch back to the county. He recommended that the county turn A petition for the Improvement of Jackson County JD #30 over the remainder of the system to the HLWD. was submitted to the HLWD on July 11, 2013. The petition On September 16, 2013, Dave Macek, Jackson County and supporting documentation were sent to Mike Tow for Highway Department, contacted Jan Voit. He gave an update statutory review on July 15, 2013. on the September 10, 2013 Jackson County board meeting. Mike Tow completed his review. The petition met the He will be meeting with the Jackson County Engineer and statutory requirements. An Order Appointing Engineer was Auditor to formulate an agreement for Jackson County to drafted and sent to Mr. Tow for review on July 22, 2013. The turn over the entire system to the HLWD, not just the por- board of managers accepted the petition and appointed I & tion that is improved. S Group as project engineers on August 20, 2013. Work was done to prepare for the adjourned hearing. The expenses were updated, outline prepared, and contact was made with legal counsel and auditor treasurer. The adjourned SECTION XII: CAPITAL hearing was held on October 10, 2013. Jeff Braegelmann, attorney for the petitioners, submitted IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS a draft Detailed Findings and Order on October 21, 2013. The document was approved by HLWD legal counsel on Time was spent during the month of February contact- October 22, 2013. ing watershed districts regarding the process for Request for Discussions were held with Kevin Nordquist, Jackson Qualifi cations (RFQ). An RFQ was drafted. The draft docu- County Auditor-Treasurer, about fi nances for the Jackson ment was reviewed by administrators from Middle-Snake- County JD #31 expenses. The loan from Security State Bank Tamarac Rivers Watershed District, Red Lake Watershed will cover the expenditures for the judicial ditches through District, and South Washington Watershed District. It was the hearing process. The interest will be paid on a six-month also reviewed by Duane Hansel, Bolton and Menk. Final basis and allocated to the ditch systems proportionately. revisions were made after receiving comments on February On October 21, 2013, Jan Voit provided Security State 14, 2013. The draft document was sent to managers in the Bank with a copy of the motion regarding fi nancing autho- meeting packet. rization, audits for 2010, 2011, and 2012, and M.S. 103D Score sheets were developed for reviewing the State- statute cites for borrowing authority, rules, and watershed ment of Qualifi cations (SOQ) for Barr Engineering, Bolton management plan. They also required federal and state tax & Menk, Inc., HDR Engineering, Houston Engineering, Inc. identifi cation numbers. (HEI), and Wenck. The HEI proposal arrived on March 27, On October 22, 2013, Jan Voit provided copies of the 2013. The remainder of the SOQs were delivered on March petitions for the ditch improvement projects, statute cite 28, 2013. Ross Behrends delivered the SOQs to managers for authority, and values of certifi cates of deposit. Jim on March 29, 2013. Buschena, Gary Ewert, and Jan Voit signed the paperwork The managers submitted their score sheets for the engi- for a $500,000 revolving line of credit on October 31, 2013. neering fi rms. A spreadsheet was developed that summarized A loan of $109,000 was secured the same day. the rankings of the fi rms from lowest to highest. In addition Duane Hansel contacted Jan Voit regarding the bid date to scoring the proposals, Ross Behrends and Jan Voit each for the Jackson County JD #31 Improvement Project bid created a list of strengths and weaknesses of the fi rms. This opening. In order to keep the project moving forward, Duane information was sent to the managers on April 12, 2013. drafted advertising for bids and posted the project so contrac- Acceptance and rejection letters were mailed to the en- tors know that it will be happening. This was done in early gineering fi rms on April 17, 2013. The fi rms were chosen by November. The board took action at the November meeting alphabetical order for interviews. Reference check questions to set the bid date for the project, which will be December were drafted and distributed to the managers. The reference 16, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the HLWD offi ce. check process began on April 25, 2013. Duane Hansel contacted Jan Voit on December 10, 2013. Each engineering fi rm was provided with a copy of the He informed her that it was not necessary to hold a meeting Interview Process Score Sheet. Their interview presentations 16 covered the items listed on the score sheet. In addition, in- After the special meeting, Ross Behrends and Jan Voit terview questions were developed and sent to the managers sent the following to the board of managers. for review. For many years, the Board of Managers of the HLWD The board of managers and staff conducted interviews has expressed the need for implementing fl ood control for the proposed fl ood control and water quality improvement projects. Managers that live along Jack Creek have been project feasibility study on June 25, 2013. Firms interviewed the most outspoken regarding this subject. In developing included Bolton & Menk, Inc., HDR Engineering, Inc., and the WMP, the board of managers requested that fl ood Houston Engineering, Inc. No hiring decision was made. control efforts be identifi ed. HLWD staff fulfi lled that re- Following the special meeting on July 9, 2013, Jan Voit quest by describing the economic and resource concerns contacted Mike McCarvel regarding the possibility of gather- fl ooding causes and identifying fl ood-prone areas. In ing further information from the engineering fi rms. He gave addition, the board of managers approved a WMP that permission for her to contact them. The following email indicates that they will pursue preliminary engineering correspondence was sent to each fi rm. and feasibility studies for fl ood control projects. Each The Board of Managers of the HLWD met on July 9, manager has the responsibility to support the WMP and 2013 to further discuss selecting a fi rm to conduct the ensure that the goals, objectives, and actions identifi ed feasibility study for the Jack Creek project. No decision therein are fulfi lled. was made. Firm selection will be an agenda item for the HLWD staff has been working diligently since the fall of July 17, 2013 monthly meeting. 2012 to fulfi ll the board of managers’ request to pursue Because the HLWD has not undertaken a project of a feasibility study. Staff developed a process to request this magnitude in the past, there are many unanswered engineering fi rms’ qualifi cations, ranking criteria, and questions. Of particular concern is the fl ood reduction interview questions. This was done so that a fi rm could potential of the project. While there is the understanding be selected in an impartial process. As a result of that that the project must be multi-faceted (i.e. water quality effort, HEI was chosen to develop a feasibility study. improvement, wildlife habitat, and fl ood reduction), the This subject was again discussed at the October meet- board’s main goal is to establish an on-channel fl ood ing. Managers requested further information, including the control structure on the proposed site in section 29, results of the McCombs-Knutson Report that was written in Seward Township, Nobles County. the early 1980’s. Staff located this information and provided While I recognize that you have not been hired to do the it to the managers in early November. limited feasibility study, could you let me know what you Because two managers were absent, no discussion or envision for the structure? Is there any way to estimate action was taken on the feasibility study in November. The the potential holding capacity of the on-channel struc- HLWD Advisory Committee discussed the feasibility study at ture? I realize that this is asking a lot and would greatly their December meeting and unanimously passed a letter appreciate any information that you could provide so of support for pursuing the feasibility study. This letter was that the board can make a decision at their meeting presented to the board of managers at the December 17, next week. 2013 meeting. Further discussion was held regarding the feasibility study. No action was taken. Thank you for your consideration. Ross Behrends delivered the responses from the fi rms to the managers on July 16, 2013. At the regular meeting on SECTION XIII: EDUCATION July 17, 2013, the board of managers approved hiring HEI to conduct the feasibility study. Mike McCarvel requested that Jan Voit contact HEI re- Education efforts are a daily task for HLWD staff. A garding a special meeting to discuss the feasibility study. This variety of educational materials, presentations, and other meeting was scheduled for August 14, 2013. efforts are designed and implemented to inform watershed HEI provided information regarding the limited feasibility residents and partners about the HLWD and protection of its study that was distributed to the managers for review and water resources. The following pages contain a synopsis of comment prior to the August 14, 2013 special meeting. The the education endeavors undertaken in 2013. limited feasibility study focuses on characterizing and quan- tifying the board’s fl ood damage reduction goals and objec- EPA 319 GRANT: HERON tives. It also uses a hydrologic model to evaluate whether LAKE SEDIMENT REDUCTION the goals and objectives can be obtained. At the special meeting, Mark Deutschman and Larry DEMONSTRATION PROJECT Kramka, HEI gave a PowerPoint presentation that covered This project gathers research information through the the partnership with HLWD, the old Project 9, project process, installation and monitoring of cedar revetment and J-hook Phase I limited feasibility study, Phase II detailed feasibility weir demonstration sites. Education will be done through study, and costs. They gave a thorough explanation of what project promotion, tours, meetings, and the HLWD website. HEI proposes in the limited feasibility study, challenges, Ross Behrends, Nick Bancks, and Amanda Schultz were and the approach that would be taken to get the project to responsible for monitoring and documentation of the cedar construction. ... continued on page 18 17 ... continued from page 17 EPA 319 GRANT: FULDA revetment and the J-hook weir sites. Video footage and pho- PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION tos were taken on three occasions at both locations. INITIATIVE The HLWD applied and received approval through the EPA 319 grant mechanism for a phosphorus reduction project in the Fulda area. The project installed rain gardens in the city of Fulda and included a large community involvement and education component. The Bondin-Belfast and Seward Trail Blazers 4-H Clubs no longer wanted to participate in the grant and the St. Paul Lutheran School was unresponsive to requests. Because of this, Jan Voit made a request to MPCA for a change order to include other organizations in the education and implemen- tation effort. The Fulda City Council, Fulda Heritage Society, and the Fulda Game and Fish agreed to receive education presentations. Their assistance in planting the rain gardens was also requested. She also sought the assistance of the PEBC for an education event for children and obtaining their help with planting. The change order was approved by MPCA Cedar revetment project, Section 3, Seward Township, on March 26, 2013. Nobles County In order to move funds from one objective to another, a contract amendment was required. Ross Behrends and Jan Voit worked with Katherine Pekarek-Scott, MPCA to move Grant term: 03/01/10 – 08/29/14 funds originally allocated for rain garden design to rain gar- Grant amount: $16,500.00 den installation. During the amendment process, the inkind Major tasks: Demonstration of J-hook weir and budget was adjusted to accurately refl ect the time spent on cedar revetment erosion control methods the project. Presentations regarding pollution prevention and rain gardens were given to: • Fulda Game and Fish on May 1, 2013 • Fulda Heritage Society on May 2, 2013 • Fulda City Council on May 6, 2013

Installing a rain garden

A news release and fl yer were developed for the Rain Garden Field Trip. The news release was sent to area news media and the fl yer sent to PEBC on July 10, 2013. The news release and fl yer were sent to the Fulda City Council, Fulda Heritage Society, Fulda Game and Fish, and Murray County Commissioners on July 17, 2013. The information below was contained in the advertising. The HLWD is sponsoring a one-day excursion on the J-hook weir project, Section 4, Alba Township, Jackson Prairie Ecology Bus on August 8. Participants will learn County about and construct rain gardens in the City of Fulda on 18 this Rain Garden Field Trip. This hands-on experience will allow adults and youth ages 8 and up a chance to discover the benefi ts of rain gardens. In a rain garden, native plants capture and absorb storm water. They also serve as a food source for birds, butterfl ies, and other insects. Noon lunch and necessary tools will be provided. There is no cost for this event. The Prairie Ecology Bus will leave the Heron Lake Community Center at 9:30 a.m. and meet additional participants in Fulda at 10:00 a.m. at Seven Mile Park. The Rain Garden Field Trip will conclude at 3:30 p.m. and will return to Heron Lake at 4:00 p.m. On August 15, 2013, the HLWD hosted the rain garden Completed rain garden on the Brown property fi eld trip in partnership with the PEBC. The purpose of the morning. Following lunch participants assisted HLWD with tour was to provide an educational and hands-on rain garden planting rain gardens while learning more about their signifi - experience for children and adults. Stops were made at two cance and water quality. There were 23 people in attendance. existing rain garden and shoreline restorations during the Following is an article regarding the event that was published in the Fulda Free Press and the Tri County News.

Volunteers helped out with the several rain gardens that were planted in Fulda last Thursday. Youngsters were instructed by Clay Steele(PEBC naturalist) and Ross Behrends (SWCD watershed technician). Rain gardens planted in Fulda to help with filtration out and nutrients to be used by 2,000 plants were planted by a rain garden in an effort to By Norma Dittman the plants in the garden. a group of volunteers com- stop erosion of their lake Tri County News staff writer Funded through the Environ- prised of youth and adults who shore. Jim and Rona Brown are Five Fulda landowners mental Protection Agency Sec- were interested in learning the owners of another on-shore recently participated in the tion 319 grant program admin- about rain gardens. rain garden that the group planting of rain gardens that istered by the Minnesota Pol- A portion of the group met toured. will help with rain water lution Control Agency, some in Heron Lake at 9:30 a.m. to Following the tours, the absorbtion and filtration. The of the gardens were planted on board the Prairie Ecology Bus. group stopped at Seven Mile gardens minimize runoff of Thursday, August 15th. They arrived in Fulda around Park for lunch. storm water by capturing it in Jack and Carol Tomford, Jim 10 a.m. and toured two estab- Around 12:30 p.m., they the garden’s depression. (A and Lori Stainer, Jerry and lished rain gardens that have began working on the Tomford rain garden is a planted depres- Louise Johnson, Howard and been planted in Fulda since rain garden (the first one plant- sion that allows rainwater Virginia Anderson, and Chuck 2009. Don and Ann Lubben, ed on Thursday). Guided by runoff from impervious areas and Georgia Lursen were the who live on the shore of Seven Ross Behrends, Watershed to be absorbed into the soil.) homeowners who are partici- Mile Lake, were the first Technician with the Nobles This allows pollutants to filter pating in the project. homeowners in Fulda to plant County Soil and Water Conser- ... continued on page 20 19 ... continued from page 19 vation District, Clay Steele, a When it was time to start Naturalist with the Prairie Ecology Bus Center, and construction, Ross Behrends Amanda Schultz, an intern had the interns call in a Gopher with the Heron Lake Watershed 1 request. He was expecting District, the young volunteers were taught the proper proce- Gopher 1 to do the locate for dures of planting container the entire property, but they plants including ground hole size, loosening of roots, and only did a locate where the rain plant spacing. garden was to be established. Landowners were able to As a result, a natural gas line choose the plants that were planted in their rain garden was broken when the tile line from a list that detailed plant was installed from the down- characteristics. The plants were spout to the rain garden. delivered several days prior to the planting date. For their rain garden, the Tomfords had chosen a fragrant low-growing sumac, red dog- wood, coneflowers, cardinal flowers, some native grasses Grant term: and many other plants that will produce bursting colors as the 01/01/2011 – rain garden matures. 08/30/2015 With the Tomford raingarden planted, the group moved on to Grant amount: work in other rain gardens in $12,600.00 the city. Major tasks: The overall goal of this proj- ect was to instill a sense of per- Rain garden sonal responsibility for the education and two lakes in the Fulda area by engaging students, 4-H mem- implementation bers, Master Gardeners, land- scapers, and the general public in the awareness of the effect of water pollution to the Fulda Lakes. The project is part of the Fulda Phosphorus Reduction Planting the rain gardens will help with filtration of rainwater runoff. Initiative.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION – SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (SARE) GRANT: COVER CROP DEMONSTRATION PROJECT The fi nal report for the SARE Cover Crop Demon- rooted aquatic vegetation, loss of migratory waterfowl, stration Project was submitted on September 18, 2013. rough fi sh impacts, reduced water clarity, and fl ooding. The Project Description is included below. The HLWD continually looks for avenues to provide The Heron Lake watershed encompasses ap- educational opportunities that could lead to landowners proximately 472 square miles and operators incorporating new techniques in their and is located in portions of farming operations. Independent surveys conducted by Grant term: Nobles, Jackson, Murray, and HLWD and the UM have found environmental issues and 03/16/2012 - Cottonwood Counties in south- 04/30/2014 new environmental technologies to be of high value to western Minnesota. Heron Lake Grant amount: watershed residents. In addition, landowners rarely can and its watershed face many $6,624.26 independently afford to implement new conservation of the same problems seen in Major tasks: practices. This problem permeates the entire watershed other rural, agricultural areas in Field-scale and affects any HLWD resident who is interested in Minnesota. Point and nonpoint Cover Crop improving and protecting the environment and wildlife source pollution, intensive Demonstration habitat through responsible farming practices. tillage, non-compliant septic Cover crops are a means that could be implemented systems, feedlots, and urban to provide erosion control in the watershed. They can stormwater runoff are all problems that must be ad- also be used on a continuous basis throughout the dressed in order to reduce phosphorus loading in North growing season to provide crop nutrients and pest Heron Lake and South Heron Lake. Problems associated control. with these lakes include severe algae blooms, loss of Through the project, Jerry and Nancy Ackermann,

20 local landowners and operators, established a cover societal challenge to mitigate and adapt the North Central crop demonstration site as a means to distribute new corn–based cropping system to climate change. conservation technology to other agriculture producers An invitation to the Farmer Meeting for the Corn Systems and the community. Cover crops have been shown to Grant term: be effective in reducing sediment and nutrient runoff by Coordinated Agricultural Program (CSCAP) Grant was developed on 10/01/2011 – providing vegetative cover during erosion-prone time July 8, 2013. The draft version was 12/31/2016 between fall harvest and spring planting. Studies have sent to Jeff Strock, UM, for review. Grant amount: also shown an economic advantage for the landowner The document was approved and $83,000.00 by scavenging up to 45 pounds of nitrogen that has distributed to farmers on July 8, Major tasks: leached below the accessible root depth of corn and 2013. Research data soybeans and increasing organic matter. The UM, HLWD, and Red- for iFARM The cover crop demonstration site was located wood Cottonwood Rivers Control directly adjacent to Jackson County Judicial Ditch 3 Area hosted the Farmer Meeting located in Section 33 of West Heron Lake Township to show appreciation for their efforts. It was held on July in Jackson County. The cover crop project was imple- 25, 2013 at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton, Minnesota. Jeff Strock gave a presentation mented to address water quality problems in an effort to about agricultural drainage, J. Arbuckle explained the prelimi- increase nutrient uptake, reduce erosion, and minimize nary farmer survey results, and Ross Behrends and Shawn nutrient leaching. Cover crops have the potential to Wohnoutka pro- directly benefi t the community and watershed by slow- vided information ing water and reducing sediment and nutrient runoff. about the Nutrient This project location drains to South Heron Lake. Tracking Tool and The WFDMR and Heron Lake TMDL Report found South Climate Decision Heron Lake to be impaired for phosphorus. This project Tool. was implemented to decrease phosphorus levels by Ross Beh- using vegetation to reduce erosion and nutrient runoff. rends and Jan Voit attended the Vegetation has been shown to reduce sediment, nu- CSCAP Annual trients, and pesticide movement in surface water. As Meeting at Purdue vegetation absorbs the energy of raindrops it reduces Ross Behrends participates in table University from surface sealing and runoff, impedes erosion by decreas- discussion at CSCAP Annual Meeting July 29 through ing surface velocity, physically restrains soil movement, August 1, 2013. improves the aggregation and porosity of the soil, and This event provided the opportunity to learn about the increases biological activity in the soil. research being conducted about carbon, nitrogen, water, The root systems of the cover crop break up com- systems, and stakeholders in the nine-state project. paction to allow for better water infi ltration and are used to draw nitrogen from deep below the surface back to NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION the root zone for the next year’s crop. The seed mix was COVER CROP CHAMPIONS chosen to provide the opportunity to scavenge nitrogen Lara Bryant, National Wildlife Federation (NWF), con- to increase soil fertility, add additional organic matter tacted the HLWD on June 21, 2013 to improve soil composition, infi ltration, and protection with the news that the Cover Crop and reduce weed competition. All of these are ways Duration: Champions application was chosen to naturally improve the overall yield of the following 08/01/2013 – for funding. These funds were year’s crop while reducing nitrogen application costs. 02/28/2014 to be used to provide fi rst-hand Grant amount: information about the effective- $7,300.00 ness of cover crops, agronomic CORN SYSTEMS COORDINATED Major tasks: and water quality benefi ts, and AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM Cover Crop technology and equipment avail- Education and ability in southern Minnesota by This project consists Field Day focusing on the experiences of of a team from 12 institu- local experts and watershed land- tions across nine states owners. Farmer cooperators were in the Heartland (Illinois, Jerry and Nancy Ackermann and Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Jerry and Terry Perkins. The budget of $7,292 covered time, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, travel, advertising, and the fi eld day. South Dakota and Wiscon- The grant agreement for the Cover Crop Champion grant sin) which will address the arrived on August 15, 2013. The agreement was forwarded J. Arbuckle and Jan Voit ... continued on page 22 21 ... continued from page 21

Cover crop champions fi eld day audience Purple top turnip and tillage radish taken from the Jerry and to the cooperators. Jan Voit met with the Ackermanns and Nancy Ackermann farm secured their signatures on August 19, 2013. She delivered the signature page to the Nobles SWCD offi ce on August 19, On October 1, 2013, the Cover Crop article written by 2013. After the Perkins’ signatures were secured, the grant Julie Buntjer (following page) was distributed to the NWF agreement was submitted to the NWF for fi nal approval. Listserv. On October 9, 2013, Jan Voit met with Lisa Hieroni- Regularly scheduled conference calls were held as part mus regarding radio advertising for the Cover Crop Field Day. of this effort. The fi rst conference call addressed cover crop The fl yer and news release were uploaded to the website myths and was held on August 27, 2013. Speakers included and distributed to the media contact list. J. Arbuckle, Iowa State University (ISU), Gabrielle Roesch, The conference call for the Cover Crop Champions grant ISU, and Dave Robison, Plantcovercrops.com. was held on October 31, 2013. The topic was cover crop On August 29, 2013, Ross Behrends and Jan Voit met economics. Jan Voit also had an interview about the Cover with Jerry and Terry Perkins and Jerry and Nancy Ackermann. Crop Champions grant with Mike Jordan, Lakefi eld Standard, The purpose of the meeting was to review the grant work on October 31. plan and set a tentative date for the fall fi eld day. The Cover Crop Field Day was held on November 13, The cover crops were seeded on September 5, 2013. 2013 at the Jerry and Nancy Ackermann residence. Jan Voit Julie Buntjer, Daily Globe, interviewed Jerry Ackermann for an welcomed the attendees and provided background on the upcoming publication. On September 10, 2013, Julie Buntjer grant. Jerry Ackermann and Jerry Perkins spoke about their interviewed Jan Voit. personal experiences with cover crops and their goals of The Perkins and Ackermanns provided contact informa- preserving nutrients, reducing compaction, increasing yield, tion for various farm publications. A letter regarding the weed suppression, and soil health. Andy Nesseth, Extended upcoming fi eld day was drafted and sent to those media Ag Services, Inc. provided information about soil grid sam- outlets. Contact was also made with radio stations. Advertis- pling and soil test results. Jill Sackett, UM, spoke about ing copy was developed and approved. Radio staff conducted management of cover crops. Stephanie McLain, Nobles NRCS interviews with project partners before the fi eld day. Time gave a soil health demonstration. Following the presenta- was spent drafting a press release. This document was sent tions, attendees had the opportunity to view cover crops in to project partners for review and approval. the fi eld. There were 45 people in attendance.

Jerry Ackermann Jerry Perkins 22 The following article appeared in the “Today’s Farm” supplement to the Daily Globe on September 27, 2013.

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26 WEBSITE Neither zebra mussels nor Asian carp have been In 2013, Jan Voit conducted monthly maintenance on the found in lakes in southwest Minnesota thus far, but with website. It is used as a tool to inform the public about what discoveries of both invasives as close as the Iowa Great a watershed is and does, provide information about pollu- Lakes, the Minnesota DNR isn’t taking any chances. tion prevention and cost-share, incentive, and loan programs “You can understand how much money and time available, and provide contact information for federal and has been put in by the DNR to educate people on these state agencies, as well as HLWD managers and staff. The invasive species,” Nordseth said. “We’re still trying to web address is www.hlwdonline.org. educate.” Laws written to help stop the spread of the invasive AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PUBLIC species include pulling the plug on a boat’s bilge tank, emptying all lake water from the boat’s livewell, emp- EDUCATION MEETING tying water from minnow buckets and replacing with non-lake water, and allowing water to drain from the The news release and fl yer regarding the Aquatic Inva- motor all before leaving the boat landing. The minnow sive Species (AIS) meeting were distributed to partners and bucket rule also applies to shore fi shermen. local news media on April 2, 2013. A reminder email was In a perfect world, Nordseth said he’d like to see distributed on April 16, 2013. 100 percent voluntary compliance with the rules, but The HLWD, in partnership with the O-OWD and the Lake he realizes some people will forget or hope they won’t Okabena Improvement Association, held a public information be caught if they don’t comply. meeting regarding aquatic invasive species at the Farmer’s “The friendly reminders, I think we’ve gotten as Room at the Nobles County Government Center on April 23, much mileage out of that as we can,” he said. “We’re 2013. The purpose of this event was to provide an opportu- going to protect our water the best we can.” nity to learn about the threat of zebra mussels, Asian carp, Nordseth said half the boats on Lake Okabena on and other aquatic invasive species. The intent was also for a summer weekend have Iowa registrations on them, individuals to learn about what they can do to protect our and there are a lot of local boat owners who travel valuable Minnesota lakes from these threats. to the Iowa Great Lakes. The potential for veligers Ryan Doorenbos, DNR, presented information regard- (young zebra mussel) to get in bilge water or hitch a ing zebra mussels and Asian carp. Gary Nordseth, DNR, ride by attaching to a hard surface is too great to risk gave an update on AIS regulation. There were 41 people in non-compliance. attendance. Following is an article written by Julie Buntjer. “We’re sharing water with these folks back and The article was published in the April 25, 2013 edition of the forth all the time,” said Nordseth. “We don’t have an Worthington Daily Globe. abundance of lakes down here, and the ones we have are pretty precious.”

Zebra mussels THREAT OF AQUATIC INVASIVES BRINGS The zebra mussel is a small, sharp-edged mussel GREATER ENFORCEMENT, AWARENESS that traveled from its native home in the Caspian Sea WORTHINGTON — Last year, boaters in southwest to North America through ship ballast waters. Zebra Minnesota may have received a free pass — a warning mussels are fi lter feeders, feeding on up to one liter instead of a citation — if they forgot to pull the plug on of water per day in search of benefi cial plankton, the their bilge tank before leaving a lake. This year, with same food source sought by game fi sh. stepped up enforcement and a heightened concern for Ryan Doorenbos, area supervisor in the Windom the spread of invasive species like zebra mussel and offi ce of the DNR fi sheries, said the young zebra mus- Asian (bighead or silver) carp, fi nes will be issued. sels are microscopic larvae that cannot be seen with the naked eye. They can broadcast from 40,000 to 1 By: Julie Buntjer, Worthington Daily Globe million eggs per year. “The problem with the microscopic veligers is WORTHINGTON — Last year, boaters in southwest there’s multiple ways these things can fi nd their way Minnesota may have received a free pass — a warning from one lake to the other,” Doorenbos said, adding that instead of a citation — if they forgot to pull the plug on they attach to hard surfaces like bait buckets, trailers, their bilge tank before leaving a lake. This year, with pontoons, propellers, boat lifts and even on the soles stepped up enforcement and a heightened concern for of waders. Contrary to some rumors that they can be the spread of invasive species like zebra mussel and transported by migrating birds, he said “They follow Asian (bighead or silver) carp, fi nes will be issued. the highways, not the fl yways.” That was one of the messages provided by local Public education will be the key in stopping — or at Department of Natural Resources Conservation Offi cer least slowing the spread of zebra mussels to southwest Gary Nordseth during a public educational meeting about Minnesota lakes, as early detection is critical. aquatic invasive species Tuesday night in Worthington. Doorenbos encourages people to take their time More than 40 people were in attendance. and inspect their boat lifts when they pull them in this ... continued on page 28 27 ... continued from page 27

fall. Also, he encouraged the lake association or the wa- One of the gates at Herlein-Boote Slough northwest of tershed district to begin monitoring programs. Worthington was closed more than a year ago to prevent “In Iowa, they use zebra mussel plates … as a moni- fi sh swimming from the Little Rock River into Lake Okabena toring tool,” he said. “That’s how they found one juvenile Watershed, and Doorenbos said numerous other measures mussel — it was on that plate.” are being taken in Nobles and Jackson counties. If people fi nd a zebra mussel, Doorenbos asks that The invasive carp made their way to the Midwest they take pictures of it, collect the sample and contact the through the Mississippi and Missouri rivers after some DNR invasives species specialist immediately. (An invasive Alabama fi sh-rearing ponds fl ooded in the 1970s. The carp species specialist will soon be hired and based at the DNR’s were brought in to feed off algae in the ponds. New Ulm offi ce.) The specialist will gather information and In the last 40 years, the carp have made their way up possibly conduct an on-site inspection. to North Dakota. So far, however, there has been no sign “If you have a huge infestation, the prognosis is not of them in southwest Minnesota. good for eliminating them,” Doorenbos said. “It’s kind of “Your choices are to do nothing and see what hap- like the common carp — it’s very diffi cult to eliminate them pens or do something to slow or stop their movement,” fully from the lake.” Doorenbos said. Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District Administrator Dan In 2011, two bighead carp were discovered through Livdahl said one advantage local lakes may have in keeping netting in East Lake Okoboji, and in 2012, commercial zebra mussels at bay is they don’t live on mud-bottomed fi shermen there caught 58 silver carp and 84 bighead carp. lakes; however, lakes like Okabena have “everything” else In February, an electronic fi sh barrier became fully zebra mussels like — non-acidic water and a lot of food. functional on Lower Gar Lake in the Iowa Great Lakes chain, “We don’t know what an infestation would look like in and that is hoped to stop further spread of the invasives. southwest Minnesota, but we can be pretty darn sure we Asian carp consume up to one-third of their weight won’t like them,” Livdahl said. each day in zooplankton, and the bighead carp can grow Meeting attendee Genny Turner, of the Lake Okabena to more than 100 pounds. Their reproductive success rate Improvement Association, said sampling plates could be is also better than the common carp. attached to a couple of the association’s buoys already Doorenbos said the Minnesota legislature approved in the lake. The watershed district may also put a couple $7.5 million for Asian carp prevention measures. Of that, plates out for monitoring. Livdahl said buoys and plates will $1.7 million was dedicated to southwest Minnesota. serve as good reminders to boaters about zebra mussels. More information about the threat of invasive species can be found in the 2013 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Asian carp guide, available wherever fi shing licenses are sold. The DNR is also continuing its efforts to stop the spread Daily Globe Reporter Julie Buntjer may be reached at of Asian carp, including the bighead and silver carp, into 376-7330. southwest Minnesota waters. EARTH DAY 5TH GRADE CONSERVATION DAY The PEBC hosted Earth Day on April 22, 2013. Students The annual 5th Grade Conservation Day was held on May from Southwest Star Concept and Jackson County Central 7, 2013. The event was sponsored by the Jackson and Cotton- Schools had the opportunity to clear trails, construct portions wood SWCDs. It was held at Tegel’s Park, Cottonwood Lake in of a greenhouse, learn about point and nonpoint source pol- Windom. Jan Voit had the opportunity to play Water Jeopardy lution in a watershed, and play water jeopardy. Jan Voit had with the students, a game wherein the students learned about the opportunity to share the EnviroScape watershed model water in several categories including earth science, water us- with 125 students. age, what is it, water pollution, and rivers and lakes. There were four sessions with approximately 27 students in each.

EnviroScape presentation at Earth Day Water Jeopardy at 5th Grade Conservation Day 28 NEWSPAPER ARTICLES Engagement Jeopardy, and Action Learning Groups. Lee Ganske, MPCA, spoke about the major watershed project. Information regarding projects was the subject of several The June session focused on Understanding Change, Lead- newspaper articles. Jan Voit had the opportunity to provide ing Change, and the Four “P’s” of Change. articles regarding AIS, fi nancial accountability, Cover Crop The August session focused on Planning and Managing Champions fi eld day, and the MAWD Project of the Year Civic Engagement. The September session focused on Mes- Award. These articles were published in the Tri County News, saging. And the November session focused on The Role of Fulda Free Press, Daily Globe, Lakefi eld Standard, Jackson Infl uencing. County Pilot, and Cottonwood County Citizen. Mike Jordan, Lakefi eld Standard, published several ar- WATERSHED PROFESSIONALS ticles regarding HLWD Summer Interns, and rain gardens. Alyson Buschena, Daily Globe, published an article regarding NETWORK the WFDMR TMDL Implementation Project. Julie Buntjer, Ross Behrends and Kiel Tschumperlin attended the Wa- Daily Globe, published articles regarding AIS, Brown shore- tershed Network Professionals Meeting on April 25, 2013 in line restoration project, and Cover Crop Champions grant. Redwood Falls. Topics and speakers at the meeting included: The Tri County News and Fulda Free Press published articles Stephanie Johnson, HEI, on tracking the effectiveness of Min- regarding rain gardens and the rain garden fi eld trip. nesota’s agricultural BMPs and also on prioritizing agricultural nonpoint source management areas through the use of LiDAR SOUTHWEST CIVIC ENGAGEMENT and GIS; Brent Dalzell, UM, on the results from Lake Pepin COHORT ON WATER QUALITY full-cost accounting project; John Hickman, water videos; and other presentations consisting of Drainage Working Group Twenty-seven individuals representing watershed dis- and the Ag Water Quality Certifi cation Program. tricts, SWCDs, watershed projects, counties, tribal councils, and state agencies gathered together to begin the Southwest FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY Civic Engagement Cohort (SW CivE Cohort). The group met at the Redwood Falls Community Center on January 16 and NEWSLETTER 17, 2013. After the preliminary 2014 budget was set, the annual Through this cohort, participants are learning how to fi nancial accountability newsletter was drafted. The newslet- make resourceful decisions and take collective action on ter was distributed to watershed residents, agency personnel, public issues through processes of public discussion, refl ec- and legislators in early August 2013. tion, and collaboration. Authentic civic engagement builds trust and relationships with the public. Trust is needed for MAJOR WATERSHED PROJECT relationships to develop. Relationships are needed to get work done. At the heart of effective civic engagement are In December of 2012, Wayne Smith, Nobles County; Ed processes that support genuine discussion, refl ection, and Lenz, Nobles SWCD; Andy Geiger, Jackson County; Brian collaboration. Nyborg, Jackson SWCD; Kiel Tschumperlin, Ross Behrends, This community of practice (COP) is a group of people and Jan Voit met with Katherine Pekarek-Scott, MPCA. The who share the common concern of water quality. They have purpose of the meeting was to discuss MPCA’s major water- come together to fulfi ll both individual and group goals. Be- shed project that will take place in the WFDMR watershed cause it is so important to work together, inter-organizational in 2014. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of the collaboration is increasingly important. The COP provides HLWD being the lead agency, having Kiel Tschumperlin work means to connect people in the spirit of learning, knowledge on the project, and conducting civic engagement in partner- sharing, and collaboration, as well as individual, group, and ship with each county, SWCD, and the HLWD. organizational development. Katherine contacted staff from the four core counties, In addition to meeting each other, participants were SWCDs, and the HLWD in late January to follow up on this introduced to the cohort process, received a presentation effort. She reminded us that there are grant funds available about civic engagement from the superintendent of the to pay for staff time to write the work plan, lead the project, Redwood Area Schools, developed a working agreement and and conduct civic engagement. participation ground rules, and explored the topic of creating Since the Major Watershed Project will be conducted in a culture of civility. the WFDMR watershed, staff from each county, SWCD, and The February and March sessions covered the following HLWD agreed that it is logical that they work in partnership topics respectively: “A Focus on ‘Prepare’” in which partici- on this effort. Working together on deciding and develop- pants were introduced to Stakeholder Identifi cation, Analysis, ing the end product would help ensure that the work being and Participation Match, and the International Association for completed will be useful to all of the WFDMR organizations. Public Participation framework; Convening for Civic Engage- County and SWCD staff also thought it best that the water- ment in which participants were introduced to the three key shed coordinator take the lead in developing the work plan. elements to create effective collaboration and the 8 Ps for Katherine Pekarek-Scott, MPCA developed a contract that effective planning and preparation. identifi ed the HLWD as the lead agency for this effort. Kiel The May session focused on Vision Web, Graphic His- Tschumperlin will be working with county and SWCD staff tory, SPOT Analysis, Watershed Game, Cover Story, Civic ... continud on page 30 29 ... continued from page 29 Ackermann were accepted as new members. Jan Voit gave a PowerPoint presentation covering the grant and general to write the work plan that defi nes the efforts that will be operating levy implementation and education projects con- undertaken in the Major Watershed Project. Jan Voit will be ducted in 2013. The presentation also provided a synopsis responsible for completing reports. Her time for those efforts of what activities are proposed for 2014. will be paid through the contract. Questions were asked and discussion was held regarding Civic engagement is a requirement of this effort. The the proposed Jack Creek Impoundment Project feasibility contract will pay for Jan Voit’s time and mileage to participate study. The CAC passed a motion and wrote a letter to the in nine of the Southwest Civic Engagement Cohort training board unanimously supporting pursuit of the feasibility study. sessions. She will be responsible for developing the civic engagement portion of the plan in partnership with county and SWCD staff. The contract will also pay for her civic en- OTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES gagement efforts as a result of this project. Jackson County Water Plan Committee On March 12, 2013, Jan Voit had the opportunity to speak On January 24, 2013, the annual Jackson County Water with Barb Radke, UM Extension, regarding civic engagement Plan Committee meeting was held. PowerPoint presentations for the Major Watershed Project. Barb Radke, Katherine regarding 2012 activities were given by Chris Bauer, Brian Pekarek-Scott, and Jan Voit met via conference call on March Nyborg, and Jake Grages, Jackson SWCD; Chrystal Dunker, 25, 2013 to discuss the process for including UM Extension Prairie Ecology Bus Center; Kiel Tschumperlin, and Jan Voit. as a partner. Updates were also given by representatives of the Iowa Great Barb Radke, UM Extension, put together budget fi gures Lakes Watershed and Mark Hiles, BWSR. and sent them to Jan Voit for review. Katherine Pekarek-Scott The Water Plan Task Force also met and reviewed the and Jan discussed the budget and work plan on April 15, proposed changes to the Jackson County Water Plan as 2013. Jan Voit revised the work plan and budget to refl ect required for the fi ve-year plan update. The committee rec- Barb’s assistance in the civic engagement process. The re- ommended approving the update and submitting it to the vised document was submitted to Katherine on April 16, 2013. Jackson County board. On May 2, 2013, Katherine Pekarek-Scott, MPCA and Jan Voit had a conference call with Barb Radke, UM, to discuss Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) civic engagement for 2013 and 2014. Later in the day, Kath- Webinars erine, Stephanie Johnson, HEI; Ross Behrends, Kiel Tschump- MCIT held a webinar regarding property coverage on erlin, and Jan Voit met to discuss the required and optional January 30, 2013 and liability coverage on January 31, 2013. elements for completing the major watershed project. Jan Voit participated in these webinars. On May 3, 2013, Kay Clark, Cottonwood SWCD; Scott Personnel Policy MacLean and Katherine Pekarek-Scott, MPCA; Rich Perrine The draft personnel policy containing the revisions made and Ashley Brenke, Martin SWCD; Jon Lore and Brooke at the February 20, 2013 special meeting was sent to Steve Hacker, DNR; Kiel Tschumperlin, Ross Behrends, and Jan Woods, BWSR on March 5, 2013. The policy was adopted at Voit met. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and the March 19, 2013 HLWD meeting. identify potential geomorphic sites for both the East and MAWD Legislative Day at the Capitol West Fork DMR. On March 13, 2013, Jan Voit had the opportunity to at- Kiel Tschumperlin and Jan Voit met with Katherine tend the MAWD Legislative Reception. On March 14, 2013, Pekarek-Scott via conference call on September 4, 2013 to Dan Livdahl, O-OWD, and Jan Voit met with Representative review the work plan. Barb Radke, UM Extension, Katherine Hamilton and Senator Weber. Pekarek-Scott, Kiel Tschumperlin and Jan Voit met on Sep- Legislators, BWSR executive staff, and MAWD were tember 26, 2013 to develop a timeline for civic engagement given the HLWD Annual Report, HLWD Annual Work Plan with project partners. and Budget, and HLWD 2012 Accomplishments. In addition, Barb Radke and Jan Voit met on October 3, 2013 via the legislators were given information regarding the HLWD phone to draft an invitation to project partners regarding the project identifi ed in the LCCMR legislation. Major Watershed Project. They also met via phone on October 22, 2013 to draft talking points for use in Kiel Tschumperlin’s Annual Updates partner meetings. Time was spent creating a PowerPoint presentation to Individual partner meetings were held in November and aid the annual update process. The presentation included an December 2013. overview of 2012 activities and a short summary of proposed 2013 activities. Packets were also developed that included the CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE HLWD Annual Report, HLWD Annual Work Plan and Budget, and HLWD 2012 Accomplishments. The presentation was Jan Voit spent time creating a PowerPoint presentation given to the Jackson County Commissioners on March 26, and narrative for the HLWD Citizens’ Advisory Committee 2013, Cottonwood County Commissioners on April 9, 2013, (CAC) meeting. The presentation was reviewed by Ross Murray County Commissioners on April 16, 2013, and Nobles Behrends and Katherine Pekarek-Scott, MPCA. County Commissioners on April 23, 2013. The HLWD CAC met on December 17, 2013. Brian Ny- Minnesota Association of Ditch Inspectors (MADI) borg, Jackson SWCD was elected President. Andy Geiger, The MADI met on April 29, 2013 in Willmar. Shelly Sen- Jackson County was elected Secretary. Paul Pietz and Jerry 30 tyrz and Skip Wright, DNR gave a report on the new online information about the project and partnership. permitting system for water appropriation, public waters, and On June 21, 2013, an overview of the tour and partner- dam safety. Kurt Deter, Rinke-Noonan, gave a presentation ship presentations was given. Tour stops included monitor- on drainage law in Minnesota. ing and assessing the fi shers of the Minnesota River, stream The MADI met on September 9, 2013. Brian Fischer, biological monitoring and fi sh survey demonstration, Rapidan Houston Engineering, Inc. gave a presentation regarding the Dam Park, Blue Earth River Bank/Bluff erosion, and the Rahr DrainageDB. This is a web-based database system capable Malting Nutrient Trading restoration site. of storing historical documents and records, tracking ditch City of Worthington Storm Water Pollution Prevention system activities, integrating with GIS and pictometry, and Plan (SWPPP) creating standardized forms and letters for review for each The City of Worthington held their annual SWPPP public ditch system within a county or watershed district. hearing on June 24, 2013. Dwayne Haffi eld, City Engineer Kurt Deter gave an update on the curriculum that is be- gave a PowerPoint presentation explaining the activities ing developed for training viewers. There was also an open undertaken in 2012. forum for asking questions. Watershed Tour eLINK An invitation to attend a watershed tour was distributed On January 8, 2013, committee members had the oppor- to the HLWD Advisory Committee, commissioners in all four tunity to see the fi rst iteration of BWSRs new eLINK program counties, and legislators on August 5, 2013. Ross Behrends through a webinar with TetraTech. Feedback was given. and Jan Voit met with PEBC staff on August 13. Reminders On May 1, 2013, Melissa Lewis, BWSR, gave a webinar were sent on August 12 and August 19. Due to the low re- to walk through to provide an overview of the changes that sponse, Chrystal Dunker, PEBC, distributed the invitation to were made. On May 6, 2013, Jan Voit conducted testing in several other individuals. the eLINK program. The problems encountered were docu- The tour was held on August 21, 2013. Sites included mented and sent to BWSR. the Heron Meadows project, Okabena Creek streambank On June 12, 2013, Ross Behrends and Jan Voit attended stabilization project, proposed Jack Creek Impoundment training for the new eLINK. The session was held at Minne- project, and the Brown’s rain garden and shoreline restoration sota West Community and Technical College in Granite Falls. project. There were fi fteen people in attendance. Kiel Tschumperlin and Jan Voit participated in a webinar sponsored by the BWSR on August 22, 2013. The webinar in- Local Work Group Meetings cluded an overview of eLINK in preparation for the upcoming The Local Work Group meeting for Cottonwood County CWF grant round. On September 4, 2013, Kiel Tschumperlin was held on August 22, 2013. The Local Work Group meet- and Jan Voit participated in a BWSR webinar. The purpose ing for Jackson County was held on August 29, 2013. The of the webinar was to provide information regarding require- purpose of these meetings was to prioritize natural resource ments for the CWF grant round. concerns in each county. Worthington High School Career Day Watershed Specialist Interview On May 16, 2013, a panel was assembled to present On September 11, 2013, Becky Alexander, Watonwan information to Cody Dvorak’s Natural Resources Class at the Watershed Technician, interviewed Jan Voit as part of the Worthington High School. Panelists included Chessa Frahm, Watershed Specialist Training. Missouri River Basin Watershed Coordinator; Danielle Har- Nobles County Water Plan ris, Nobles County Farm Service Agency; Stephanie McLain, The Nobles County Water Plan committee met on Sep- Nobles NRCS; Russ Hoogendorn, SWPTSA; Nick Banks, HLWD tember 18, 2013. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Summer Intern; and Jan Voit. Each participant provided proposed changes to the water plan for the fi ve-year plan information regarding their background and schooling, job update process. duties, challenges, experiences, and accomplishments. There MCIT Risk Management Workshop and Work Station were 20 students in the class. Checkup LCCMR Southwest Minnesota Site Visits On September 12, 2013, MCIT held their annual Risk On June 18, 2013, Jan Voit created a handout and Ross Management Workshop. Topics addressed included work- Behrends gave a presentation to the LCCMR members at ers’ compensation, private data, hiring, work place injuries, their stop in the HLWD. claims, and employee-owned technology. MAWD Summer Tour Bruce Casey, MCIT Loss Control Consultant, conducted The MAWD Summer Tour began on June 20, 2013. Bob a work station checkup on September 17, 2013. Jan Voit Finley, MPCA presented background and history of water began the process of purchasing the items to implement management in the Minnesota River Basin. Shannon Fisher, recommended changes. Executive Director of the Minnesota River Board, gave an BWSR Academy update on the status of their basin governance restructur- BWSR Academy was held October 28 – October 30, 2013 ing process. Doug Goodrich, Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers at Cragun’s Conference Center in Brainerd, Minnesota. Jan Control Area, explained how the organization operates and Voit attended the following sessions in the “organizational projects implemented for water quality improvement. Heidi capacity” tract. They included Inputs, Outputs, and Out- Rauenhorst, Hawk Creek Watershed Partnership, presented ... continued on page 32 31 ... continued from page 31 of effective communications and the need for key messages. comes; Strange but Necessary Policies; Lateral Leadership; In the afternoon, roundtable discussions were held regard- Deciding How to Decide; One Watershed One Plan Campaign; ing the information presented during the morning session. Fundamentals of Planning; Customizing your Communication MAWD Annual Meeting Efforts; Leading Successful Boards; and Publish My Conser- The MAWD Annual Meeting was held at the Radisson vation Story. Arrowwood Conference Center in Alexandria from December Personnel Committee 5 – 7, 2013. In addition to the MAWD business meeting and Complete Insurance Services, Inc. provided the health concurrent training sessions, there was a panel discussion insurance renewal rates on November 15, 2013. Time was regarding Connecting Local Water Management and State spent compiling the information and submitting it to Mike Water Quality Programs Through Watersheds. The highlight McCarvel and Dale Bartosh. The Personnel Committee met on of the conference was the HLWD being presented with the November 18, 2013 to discuss wages and benefi ts for 2014. MAWD Watershed Project of the Year Award. Performance Reviews Timesheets Performance reviews were conducted for Kiel Tschumper- It was brought to staff’s attention that questions had lin on November 18, 2013 and Ross Behrends on November arisen regarding the methods used by employees to track 19, 2013. Job descriptions were updated. their time. This subject was covered extensively when the HLWD Personnel Policy was revised in February 2013. How- Association of District Administrators (ADA) meetings ever, since the subject has again arisen, this gave staff an op- The ADA met on March 13, 2013 at the Kelly Inn, St. portunity to provide even more details regarding the process. Paul. John Linc Stine, MPCA Commissioner, gave a report on Before one can truly understand how a timesheet is the Water Governance Study. He commended the HLWD for completed, there needs to be a thorough understanding of all their efforts on the Fulda Lake project. He is a big supporter the commitments that staff has on a daily, weekly, monthly, of watershed districts and the One Watershed One Plan and annual basis. The work plans for all the current grants, concept. Rebecca Flood, Assistant MPCA Commissioner and as well as the implementation section of the HLWD WMP Doug Wetzstein, gave a report about the major watershed were sent to the managers. projects. The Clean Water Land and Legacy legislation was The HLWD has inkind time commitments for staff for the driver for a consistent approach to conducting water each of the grants. A Master Time Tracking List was sent to quality monitoring and planning on a scheduled state-wide the managers. Each day, staff must keep track of their time watershed basis. spent working on each grant or on efforts in the implementa- Legislative updates were given by MAWD and BWSR staff. tion section of the WMP. Discussion was held regarding AIS, MAWD Summer Tour, and The inkind timesheet is used to complete the employee the ADA two-day training workshop. timesheet twice a month. It is also used to track time for The ADA met on June 19, 2013. Kevin Bigalke, Nine Mile reports for grants on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and Creek Watershed District, gave an overview of the MAWD annual basis. Summer Tour. Doug Thomas, BWSR, presented information Example timesheets for Jackson SWCD and Nobles about One Watershed-One Plan. He also gave a BWSR Leg- County Environmental Services were included in the mailing islative Update. Ray Bohn gave a MAWD Legislative Update. to the board. This was done to show that the time tracking Discussion was held about funding an AIS position at the UM. requirements for HLWD staff are much more stringent. The ADA met on June 20, 2013. Watershed updates were Questions regarding the information were to be ad- given by Brown’s Creek, Prior Lake-Spring Lake, Okabena- dressed to Mike McCarvel or Jan Voit. No questions or com- Ocheda, Upper Minnesota River, Middle Fork Crow River, ments were made. Pelican River, Rice Creek, Carnelian Marine St. Croix, and Heron Lake. The ADA met on December 4, 2013. Each administrator gave an update on activities within their district. Committee appointments were made. The Executive Committee consists of Kevin Bigalke, Nine Mile Creek Water- SECTION XIV: EVALUATION shed District (WD); Tera Guetter, Pelican River WD; Dianne Radermacher, Upper Minnesota River WD; Matt Moore, South Washington WD; Margaret Johnson, Middle Fork Crow River EDUCATION WD; and Jan Voit. The HLWD WMP described the estimated annual edu- Mark Doneux and Matt Moore gave a report on the salary cation efforts, contingent upon adequate funding, resident survey they conducted jointly. Discussion was held regarding interest, pertinent topic and speaker availability, as: the MAWD Summer Tour and the Environmental Initiative’s Clean Water Road Map Project. • Two workshops Effective Communications for Watershed Districts • One tour On December 5, 2013, Jan Voit attended the Effective • Twelve monthly newsletters Communication for Watershed Districts workshop. Bob Mc- • One annual report Naney, PadillaCRT, provided information regarding the role

32 RESULTS In 2013, the following education endeavors were undertaken. Table 3. Education Endeavors Publications Newspaper article: Aquatic Invasive Species - Daily Globe Newspaper article: Brown Shoreline Project - Daily Globe Newspaper article: Financial Accountability - Tri County News News release: Aquatic Invasive Species information meeting Newspaper article: Rain Gardens - Tri County News, Fulda Free Press, Lakefi eld Standard Newspaper article: Cover Crop Champions grant - Daily Globe Newsletter: Financial Accountability* News release: Cover Crop Champions Field Day Newspaper article: Cover Crop Champions Field Day - Daily Globe News release: MAWD Project of the Year Award Presentations PowerPoint presentation: Jackson County Water Plan Committee Presentation: Manager and staff orientation PowerPoint presentation: About rain gardens to Fulda Game and Fish PowerPoint presentation: About rain gardens to Fulda Heritage Society PowerPoint presentation: About rain gardens at Fulda City Council PowerPoint presentation: Water quality monitoring results to HLWD Board PowerPoint presentation: About HLWD activites to commissioners in Nobles, Jackson, Murray, and Cottonwood Counties PowerPoint presentation: About Level III Feedlot Inventory at Manure Management Workshop PowerPoint presentations: To TMDL Advisory and Technical Committee members at WFMDR TMDL Implementation Project semi-annual meetings Presentation: About HLWD efforts to LCCMR members at site visit PowerPoint presentation: About HLWD activities to HLWD CAC meeting Events 5th Grade Conservation Day PEBC Earth Day Rain Garden Field Trip** AIS Education Meeting CSCAP Farmer Meeting** CSCAP Annual Meeting at Purdue University** Award MAWD Project of the Year Award - Grassroots Effort to Bring Back the Fulda Lakes *Funded through HLWD General Operating Levy **Funded through grant

SURFACE WATER MONITORING The HLWD WMP described the estimated annual surface water monitoring efforts, contingent upon adequate funding, as: • Collecting water samples on Jack Creek, Okabena Creek, and the Heron Lake Outlet • Analyzing water samples for total suspended solids, total phosphorus, orthophosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate- nitrite, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, chlorophyll A, suspended volatile solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and biochemical oxygen demand ... continued on page 34 33 ... continued from page 33 RESULTS In 2013, the following monitoring efforts were undertaken. • Three stream sites sampled 20 times • Six lake sites sampled four times • Samples analyzed by MVTL for parameters identifi ed above • Results submitted to MPCA in October 2013 • Jack Creek, Okabena Creek and Heron Lake Outlet were sampled in 2013. Average concentrations were signifi cantly lower at all three sites most likely a result of low fl ows beginning in June. Compared to 2012, average Total Phospho- rus (TP) concentrations in 2013 decreased by 31.5 percent at Jack Creek, 42.4 percent at Okabena Creek, and 32.6 percent at the Heron Lake Outlet (See Figure 1). Total Suspended Solids (TSS) decreased in 2013 by 68.3 percent at Jack Creek, 56.2 percent at Okabena Creek and 44.2 percent the Heron Lake Outlet compared to 2012 average concentrations (See Figure 2). • For the fi rst time since 2010, six lake sites were sampled through the HLWD. North and South Heron Lake, East and West Graham, and First and Second Fulda Lakes were sampled monthly from May through September. Chlorophyll A (Chl A) decreased at all sites except West Graham Lake were it remained the same as 2012. TP average concentra- tions remained the same or slightly decreased in 2013 compared to 2010 in Fulda Lakes and Graham Lakes. There was a slight increase in TP average concentrations in North and South Heron Lake in 2013. TSS decreased in 2013 at North Heron, East Graham, and First Fulda Lakes. TSS concentrations increased in South Heron Lake and Second Fulda Lake. TSS remained the same at West Graham Lake. All the lakes except North and South Heron lakes are meeting or exceeding the long term phosphorus goals. See Table 2.

BMP IMPLEMENTATION The HLWD WMP described the estimated annual projects, contingent upon adequate funding, as: • Filter strips – 200 acres • Rain gardens – 1 project • Grassed waterways – 3 • Septic systems – 20 projects systems RESULTS • Terraces – 10 terraces • Well sealing – 5 projects In 2013, the following projects were • Shoreline restoration – 1 • Stream restoration – 2 implemented: project projects Table 4. 2013 Projects

The fi gure below shows the grant, loan, and general operating levy County Project projects installed in 2013. Nobles 3 septic system replacements* Figure 3. Grant, Loan, and General Operating Levy Project Nobles streambank stabilization** Locations Nobles terrace project*** Nobles 2 waterway projects*** Nobles fi lter strip project*** Nobles wetland restoration** Nobles 17 rock inlets** Jackson septic system replacement* Jackson fl ood relief channel*** Jackson lake enhancement*** Jackson streambank stabilization** Jackson 1 rock inlet** Murray fl ood storage** Murray 5 rain gardens** Murray 10 rock inlets** *Funded through CWP loan program **Funded through grant ***Funded through HLWD general operating levy

34 OVERALL BMP IMPLEMENTATION RESULTS The table below contains a summary of the BMPs installed cumulatively through the grants and loan programs administered by the HLWD. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT Table 5. BMPS Installed Through Grants and Loans PROJECTS HLWD Grant and Loan Projects 1996 - 2013 Practice Acres or Number Project Costs The HLWD WMP de- scribed the estimated de- Critical Area Planting 11.1 acres 12,701.58 tails of implementing capi- Sediment Basin 9 26,698.03 tal improvement projects, Windbreaks 92.62 acres 3,953.50 contingent upon adequate Filter Strips 5146.74 acres 210,762.19 funding, as: Capital Improvement Grassed Waterways 120.59 acres 65,204.36 Projects Stream Channel Stabilization 3.5 acres 1,304.55 • Project identifi cation/ Terraces 49 100,216.82 location Wetland Restoration 375.98 acres 85,638.21 • Landowner contact Rain Gardens 12 14,399.83 • Preliminary Bioretention Basins 7 39,541.16 engineering / Biodetention Basin 1 12,345.45 feasibility studies Rock Inlets 600 103,261.85 • Research project Feedlot - low interest loan 1 83,671.00 funding Septic Systems - low interest loan 103 694,165.98 • Project construction Conserving Use Acres 306.87 acres 22,568.02 RESULTS Cedar Revetment 2 3,768.08 In 2013, HLWD staff con- J-hook weir 2 34,940.45 tinued to pursue the possibil- ity of implementing a large Shoreline restorations 3 28,059.67 impoundment project in the Minimum Till Incentives 18252.62 acres 127,993.84 upper watershed. Landowner No-Till Incentives 2285.9 acres 27,430.90 contacts were made and Forage Residue Management Incentives 475.8 acres 5,709.60 preliminary meetings held in anticipation of conducting a Strip Till Incentives 1125.5 acres 22,510.00 feasibility study in 2014. Conservation Tillage Equipment - low interest 6 151,275.00 loan TOTAL 1,878,120.07 FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION PROGRAM PERMITS AND NOTIFICATIONS The HLWD WMP de- The HLWD WMP described the estimated annual aspects of the regulatory scribed the estimated annual program, contingent upon adequate funding, as: projects, contingent upon adequate funding, as: • Five permits • 75 notifi cations • Wetland restorations RESULTS – 10 acres In 2013, six permits were issued for erosion control before and after construc- • Alternative tile tion. Twenty nine notifi cations were submitted for tile installation. intakes – 10 intakes PUBLIC DRAINAGE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT • Sediment basins – 2 projects PROGRAM RESULTS The HLWD WMP described the estimated annual details of the public drainage In 2013, 28 alternative system management program, contingent upon adequate funding, as: tile intakes, one wetland • Work with county drainage authorities, county engineers, and watershed cleanout, and one fl ood relief landowners to: project were completed. ... continued on page 36 35 ... continued from page 35 o Identify water quality improvement and water • Monthly assistance for partners during project design storage capacity projects within drainage systems and installation during the fi eld season o Develop project • Monthly assistance for partners for education efforts o Research project funding as needed RESULTS • Two grant applications In 2013, the managers and staff worked with the peti- • Twelve monthly project updates tioners, Bolton and Menk, Inc., viewer Ron Ringquist, Gislason and Hunter, and HLWD legal counsel on a petition for the In 2013, the HLWD employed a Watershed Coordina- improvement of Jackson County JD #31. The project was tor to implement the Level III Feedlot Inventory through ordered on November 19, 2013. the EPA 319 Grant Project WFDMR TMDL Implementation The managers and staff also worked with the petitioners, Project. Twelve project updates were completed for use in I & S Group, Wendland Sellers Bromeland, P.A., and HLWD semi-annual and annual reports. legal counsel on a petition for the improvement of Jackson The Watershed Coordinator was also responsible for County JD #30. working with MPCA and project partners to complete the Ma- jor Watershed Project. Two project updates were completed IMPAIRED WATERS AND TMDL for use in the annual report. Individual meetings were held with the partners in the seven counties contained within the The HLWD WMP described the estimated annual efforts, WFDMR watershed. contingent upon adequate funding, as:

SECTION XV: 2014 FOCUS

The HLWD intends to focus on the following activities in 2014: • Continue to make contact with landowners to assess the needs for BMP installation. • Implement grant applications as outlined in their work plans. • Pursue every option to educate and inform watershed residents as to how they can help improve the water quality within the watershed and beyond. • Pursue additional funding mechanisms for existing and new projects and programs. See the HLWD Annual Work Plan and Budget for detailed information regarding proposed 2013 activities.

SECTION XVI: ACCOUNT BALANCES REPORT

Account Balances Report December 31, 2013 ASSETS Cash and Bank Accounts Administrator’s Account 4,472.03 Continuation Loan Program Checking 747.80 Rock Inlet Grant Account 3,045.25 Summer Interns 5,433.27 Continuation Loan Program Savings 239,293.88 General 154,049.04 CD - Community First Bank 34,689.46 CD - United Prairie Bank 92,292.33 CD - Fulda Area Credit Union 67,072.48 JD #3 Savings Account 35,725.96 JD #31 Savings Account 42,059.45 TOTAL ASSETS 678,880.95 – END – 36