Online Copy Annual Report 2018
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A N N U A L R E P O R T | 2 0 1 8 | L A K E P E P I N L E G A C Y A L L I A N C E LAKE PEPIN LEGACY ALLIANCE 2 0 1 8 A N N U A L R E P O R T Sediment loads the size of a city block filled to the height of the Foshay Tower One million metric tons of sediment accumulate in Lake Pepin every year. LPLA'S DUAL IS THERE APPROACH A ROAD TO Learn why we're tackling sediment reduction RESTORATION? & local restoration EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NOTE On behalf of the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, I As you know, sedimentation is a direct threat to want to express my deepest gratitude for the our most important asset. Lake Pepin supports support we have received this year. We started incredible fish and wildlife, but it also nourishes our “United Lake Pepin” campaign to bring some of the more unique and charming together local voices for local restoration and communities in the country. It is imperative that sediment reduction. We can already feel the value we work together, as one united community, to of this united front as we work to save our draw attention to this massive problem and speak- disappearing lake. up for our lake. There is no more time to waste. The United Lake Pepin community that we are Only as a united front can we slow sedimentation building together is diverse and each community impacts and restore conditions in Lake Pepin to around the lake is affected by sedimentation ensure that all residents & visitors maintain differently. Upper Lake Pepin is bearing the brunt recreational access and a have a flourishing of the ecological and social issues right now, but ecosystem to enjoy. none of us are immune. Impacts are proliferating downstream. With your support, your voice, and your commitment to preserving Lake Pepin, we are We have listened to our members all around the making a difference! Let’s continue to help each lake. Bay City, WI has lost access to their harbor other enjoy the lake, and make sure the birds, fish, during low water and is becoming increasingly cut and other wildlife have the habitat they need too. off from economic opportunities. Just We are well on our way! downstream, Maiden Rock & Stockholm, WI are also starting to lose water access. Boaters in Red Wing, MN are forced to make the long drive downstream to recreate in deeper, and therefore safer waters. Near the outlet, longtime residents in Pepin, WI are seeing sediment washing up Rylee Main on their shores for the first time. Executive Director Sediment LPLA'S DUAL APPROACH TO SAVE Reduction A DISAPPEARING LAKE PEPIN for long-term sustainability. Every year, a sediment load—the size of a city block filled to the height of the Foshay Tower—accumulates in Lake Pepin. With sedimentation rates 10x above normal, the lake is in a fight for survival. It’s faced with two water quality impairments and the likelihood of disappearing within a few generations. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has determined that the Minnesota River (the main sediment source) needs to reduce its sediment load by 50% to protect Lake Pepin. The interim goal—a 25% reduction by 2020—is less than two years away and the progress is unsettling. After 10 years of upstream mitigation efforts (2006-2016), sediment reduction is less than 1%. Local Drawing on decades of scientific research and agency connections, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance (LPLA) is mobilizing a strong Restoration community response to address this failure. At the same time, we to maintain current understand that sediment reduction is extremely difficult and uses & protect progress won't be made overnight. from irreversible impacts. LPLA spearheaded large-scale restoration because we recognize that Upper Lake Pepin & local communities cannot afford to wait for sediment reductions. Using the same restoration techniques implemented elsewhere along the Upper Mississippi River, we are going to revitalize areas most impacted by sedimentation and give Upper Lake Pepin a fighting chance. PHOTO TRACKING THE SEDIMENT PATH Community Engagement to make it all happen. 1. Minnesota River Basin 2. Upper Mississippi River 4. Communities, like 3. Lake Pepin Bay City, WI LPLA TIMELINE 2014: LPLA publishes report to initiate a federal 2010: LPLA helps lead review of Lake Pepin Friendship Tours restoration options Upstream and downstream stakeholders took turns The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) starts hosting site-visits on farms in the Minnesota River Basin all restoration projects with a problem and the shores of Lake Pepin to better understand the appraisal report that examines habitat sedimentation concerns, road blocks to progress, and conditions. To ensure Lake Pepin potential solutions. restoration was considered for a federal restoration project, LPLA and MN Audubon completed this step on their own. ACOE used it to obtain approval from department leadership to move the process forward. 2009: LPLA registered as non-profit 2011: LPLA Ranked Top Non-Profit by Philanthropedia 2012: LPLA successfully advocates MPCA to include sediment resuspension in their water quality analysis The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) did not incorporate sediment resuspension in their draft Turbidity TMDL of the Upper 2010: LPLA Executive Mississippi River, which meant that the water quality improvement Director, Mike McKay, plan would not address the impacts related to sediment already in appointed by the Lake Pepin. By successfully advocating that sediment resuspension governor to the MN be added to the analysis, LPLA established the justification for local Clean Water Council restoration projects, which are outlined in the final TMDL as a necessary component of water quality improvements. Background Photo: Tom Choi 2018: LPLA mobilizes 2015: LPLA and over 130 people Audubon MN submit to attend the first formal request for public meeting for the Lake Pepin restoration habitat restoration study & obtain project in Lake Pepin preliminary approval Without this formal request, Lake Pepin restoration would not be possible. In it, LPLA and Audubon MN agree to act as local sponsors and fundraise the local cost- share, which is 35% of the project construction costs. 2017: LPLA LPLA initiates Executive Citizen Water Director, Rylee Monitoring Main appointed by Program Governor Dayton to the MN Clean Water Council LSOHC recommends LPLA proposal of $750,000 for Restoration Lake Pepin "We Live in the Lake" Restoration music video wins selected for 2016: LPLA gets final multiple awards Section 1122 Pilot Program approval for a federally- LPLA worked with the University of funded study to determine Minnesota and Grammy Award restoration options on Winning Producer, Karl Demer, to Lake Pepin create an animated music video. The Army Corps of Engineers is approved to conduct a study that will investigate Lake Pepin water quality conditions and restoration options. The main purpose is to identify restoration options that will have the most benefit for water quality and habitat. However, the study will be useful for future Lake Pepin management decisions. RI S OT HAE RDE A .T. O R E S T O R A T I O N ? Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance (LPLA) has been laying the Local impacts. groundwork for a restoration project in Upper Lake Restoration is an extremely local endeavor meant to Pepin since 2012. We have progressed through revitalize and protect areas that have degraded. The regulatory hoops, obtained project endorsements & proposed project will only impact the backwater bays worked with partners to create conceptual plans. near Bay City, WI and Wacouta Township, MN. It is not Despite our progress, restoration is not guaranteed. expected to have noticeable impacts downstream or Serious financial hurdles remain. change the total amount of sediment at the head of the lake. Long-term, LPLA hopes to replicate restoration in No time to waste. other areas of Lake Pepin. As upstream stakeholders fail to achieve sediment reduction goals, local impacts are worsening. The Fish & wildlife benefits. water quality in Upper Lake Pepin is so impaired that Native plantings on peninsulas will restore floodplain certain areas are vulnerable to ecological collapse. forests and create critical habitat for migratory birds. Recreational opportunities have declined. Boat Dredging will increase water depths and create habitat groundings are increasing in frequency and severity. for overwintering fish. Local communities are losing access to the water. Peninsulas and deeper water, in tandem, will reduce Local restoration is needed to restore access and wind and wave action that stirs up sediment and protect against irreversible damage. The time for thereby improve water clarity, which is expected to action is now because restoration in this area will soon initiate a cascade of benefits, including increased become cost-prohibitive. vegetation, fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife populations. The nuts & bolts. Like other restoration projects on the Upper Recreational benefits. Mississippi River, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) The current restoration project is limited to fish and will dredge areas that have filled in with sediment and wildlife improvements, but it will offer ancillary use that material to strategically build peninsulas to benefits for recreation. Dredged areas, including protect areas from sediment input and resuspension. access channels, will create more areas for people to All new features will be restored with native plants and visit. And of course, there will be more fish to catch, grasses. birds to watch, and beauty to photograph. If we can raise the full match needed to secure federal (Recreational fish populations increased by 300% after dollars, construction could begin as early as 2020. a similar restoration project was constructed in Pool 9 of the Mississippi River.) Bonus Project. Financial Barriers. The habitat restoration project makes us eligible for a At this point, nothing is guaranteed.