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

AFTER BEFORE
An oil spill recovery and mitigation
project recently was completed by Itasca SWCD staff. A large
crude oil transport line ruptured in a wetland adjoining the
Mississippi River on July 4, 2002. 6,000 barrels of crude oil
(330,000 gallons) were spilled, impacting more than 11 acres
of wetlands. The area was then burned to reduce the amount of
free oil on site, the remaining oil was recovered through the use
of suction pumps, oil absorbent booms, and ultimately through
the excavation of the contaminated soil. The restoration effort
has included the removal of earth berms to re-establish area
hydrology, the area has been seeded and planted with native
species, Native trees and shrubs have also been added. Although
this area will never be the same as it was prior to this event, it is
currently a functioning wetland.
Top 5 Natural Resource Concerns
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5.
Itasca Soil & Water Conservation District
Shoreland Revegetation Workshops
teach area residents about natural, potentially low
cost, wave action erosion prevention options, such as
willow-wattles and live stakes. These workshops have
helped many property owners who are losing shoreline
because of wave action erosion.
The Water Plan Update (2007-2017)
for Itasca County addresses the water-related issues
across the entire county, regardless of jurisdictional,
political, municipal or watershed boundaries. This plan
provides a means of consistency across the county and
is consistent with other state, regional and local planning
processes. It will look at ground and surface water
and those activities that may infl uence water quality
or quantity. The plan will look specifi cally at the top
six priority concerns that were developed through the
SWCD’s scoping process. The concerns that were
identifi ed are addressed as county wide, however,
when necessary or applicable they will be implemented
on a watershed-wide basis.
Water Quality Protection/Restoration
Shoreland Stabilization
Forest Stewardship / Firewise
Wetland Conservation
Upgrading of non-compliant septic systems
Future Projects
Minnesota Steel Industries: This is the construction
of a new steel mill, taconite pellet
plant, new open pit mine development and all
of its related infrastructure including roads,
railways, and utilities.
Other ongoing projects:
• Development of local wetland mitigation
banks.
• Development of the Jessie Lake TMDL
study.
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