Soil & Water Conservation District Guidebook 2008 - Minnesota ...

Traverse SWCD Manager Sara Gronfeld receives a plaque
from Pete Waller, Board of Water and Soil Resources, to
recognize the SWCD’s 50 years of conservation delivery.
More than 75 people attended an open
house for the Traverse SWCD’s 50th anniversary in
2007. The SWCD was presented with plaques from
the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
and the Board of Water and Soil Resources for this
achievement.
A program for the proper sealing
of abandoned and un-used wells is an example
of the Traverse SWCD’s grant funding from the
Comprehensive Local Water Plan for priority water
resource protection/improvement projects. The
funding is allocated from the Local Water Plan
grant. In 2006, 10 abandoned wells were sealed
with cost-share assistance from these funds. In
2007, 10 additional abandoned wells are scheduled
to be sealed. This practice is a priority in Traverse
County because abandoned wells are one of the
primary sources of contamination to groundwater
aquifers used for drinking water in our region. In
2007, funding from the Local Water Plan grant was
provided to the City of Browns Valley for studying a
solution for the remediation of the fl ooding problems
that occurred in the city earlier in the year. Reduction
of local fl ood damage is also a top priority of the
Local Water Plan and the Traverse SWCD.
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Traverse Soil & Water Conservation District
The SWCD has established excellent
working relationships with the Traverse County Board of
Commissioners and the Bois de Sioux Watershed District.
The SWCD manager provides technical advice to the
county’s Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment.
The SWCD manager also serves on work groups for the
watershed district as needed. The SWCD and watershed
district work together to share information to benefi t the
natural resources of Traverse County as well as landowners.
The SWCD administers county programs including
the Wetland Conservation Act, the Comprehensive Local
Water Management Plan, and the Feedlot Program.
County board members and watershed district managers
are faithful participants at quarterly Local Water Plan
meetings. The county board pledges consistent fi nancial
support to the Traverse SWCD.
Top 5 Natural Resource Concerns
Reduction of Erosion by Wind and Water
Reduction of Regional and Local Flood Damage
Reduction of Contaminated Runoff
Prevention of Groundwater Contamination
Improvement of Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat
Future Projects
Responsibility for the county’s planning and zoning,
shoreland, and septic system programs has recently
been transferred to the Traverse SWCD. The transition
of administrative duties offi cially began on September
1, 2007. The SWCD manager will assist county staff
with site inspections of proposed construction and ensure
that county ordinances and state rules are being met.
Responsibility of these additional duties will be shared
between all SWCD staff.
The Traverse SWCD is working to address water erosion
problems adjacent to a DNR-protected wetland in the southern
part of the county. The Natural Resources Conservation
Service is providing technical designs and fi nancial assistance
for two sediment collection basins. The Local Water Plan
funds will match fi nancial assistance provided through the
Environmental Quality Incentive Program to cover up to 75%
of the project’s expenses.
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