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

Judicial Ditch 10 wetland restoration
This project (pictured) restored two large drained wetland basins
along the upper reaches of the JD 10 drainage system. The system
drains approximately 2,920 acres of land before emptying into nearby
Rice Lake in northwestern Faribault County. The state of Minnesota,
through the Board of Water and Soil Resources, working with the
Faribault County SWCD, local drainage authority, and several
landowners partnered on this project. The intended functions of the
project are fl ood control, drainage system improvement, improved
water quality, wildlife habitat, and improved drainage benefi ts for
this public drainage system. The project was an alternative to a major
repair or drainage improvement of the JD 10 system. BWSR, through
the CREP program, secured four perpetual conservation easements
from two landowners covering 156 acres to facilitate this project.
‘Guide To Rural Living’ This website educates new,
existing, and potential rural homeowners within Faribault County
on the rules and regulations that exist regarding rural living. The
website, produced by the SWCD, addresses some of the many
concerns and issues that rural residents face, such as zoning,
building, septic systems, wells, solid waste, etc. Individuals
looking at building or purchasing a home in a rural setting need to
be informed of factors to consider. In providing this information
prior to purchase, the SWCD hopes to minimize after-the-fact
issues, concerns, and problems.
A joint powers agreement between the SWCD and
Faribault County’s Planning and Zoning Department allows for
stable funding for Comprehensive Local Water Management
Planning. The SWCD is also the county water plan coordinator
Faribault County Soil & Water Conservation District
and recently completed the 2007-2016 Local Water
Management Plan.
Rock Tile Inlets have been installed by
the SWCD in recent years through its Alternative
Tile Inlet Program. Various funding sources have
contributed to the success of this program, which
provides an alternative to traditional open intakes and
provide multiple water quality benefi ts.
Top 5 Natural Resource Concerns
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Water quality concerns (surface, ground,
lake watershed, wastewater, non point source
pollution)
Stormwater management including
stormwater control, LID and fl ood damage
reductions
Drainage management including agricultural
fl ood damage reduction, public drainage and
water retention
Erosion control (soil, streambank and construction
site)
Agricultural concerns (animal agriculture,
manure management, nutrient management)
Future Projects
Urban Outreach Specialist - Faribault County
SWCD received grant funding through the Clean
Water Legacy and the 319 funding programs
to hire an Urban Outreach Specialist to assist
the communities of Faribault County with their
stormwater needs. This position was created in
response to the impaired waters issue, and the
contribution of urban runoff to the problem. The
SWCD is currently working with city staff, elected
offi cials, and street supervisors to identify the needs
of each community and determine the best way to
assist them in their stormwater efforts. The cities will
all be taking part in a campaign to raise awareness
about basic water quality problems and solutions.
The urban outreach effort will include initiating and
designing some projects to demonstrate the use of
innovative stormwater management techniques, and
bringing training opportunities on best management
practices, LID, NPDES permitting, and other topics.
47