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

Pictured: A wetland restoration done through the Conservation
Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
Impaired waters and TMDL are high priorities
for the Lyon SWCD. The SWCD is working closely
with the watershed organizations to address this in our
county. Three Clean Water Legacy grants are in place that
are in the process of being encumbered and implemented.
Serving on governing boards of Joint Powers
agencies has enabled the Lyon SWCD Supervisors to establish
strong working partnerships with organizations including Redwood
Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA), the SW MN Technical
Service Area, the Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D).
Supervisors also serve on advisory boards for the Lyon County
Water Plan and the Yellow Medicine River Watershed District.
Partnership projects with the Yellow Medicine
River Watershed District, Lyon County Water Task Force,
Area II, RCRCA and area sportsman groups have made many
projects possible in the county. A few projects include: a
stream bank stabilization that saved a township road from
serious erosion and a major safety concern, wildlife enhancement
projects with wetland restorations and tree plantings,
and installation and repairs of small impoundment structures
that reduce sediment loading and provide fl ood water storage.
An Environmental Fair for 6th grade students
is sponsored by SWCDs in the 14-county SW area. Average
attendance is more than 2,000 students each year for this
two-day, hands-on event. Support is given by the SWCD
supervisors, NRCS, and local businesses and agencies to
continue this popular event for over 10 years.
Lyon Soil & Water Conservation District
A Certifi ed Wetland Delineator and a
Certifi ed Nutrient Management Planner are employed by
the Lyon SWCD; and the SWCD is designated as the Local
Government Unit for the Wetland Conservation Act.
Top 5 Natural Resource Concerns
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Addressing impaired waters: those identifi ed at
this time Yellow Medicine, Redwood, Cottonwood
watersheds
Reduction of sediment and pollutants entering water
resources and erosion of soil by wind and water
Preserve and restore wetlands
Promotion and program implementation of
Nutrient management plans, feedlot run-off control
projects and septic system upgrades
Education of residents in the importance of
protection and preserving our resources
Future Projects
Clean Water Legacy streambank restoration and
stabilization project: The SWCD will complete a
project in 2008 that partners funding from the Clean
Water Legacy grant with in-kind work and funds from
the partnership of the Yellow Medicine River Watershed
District, city of Minneota, and engineering assistance
from the SW MN Technical Service Area. This project
is located in Minneota on the Yellow Medicine River.
The area is located next to a ball park that is used by the
school and private groups. Stabilizing the streambank
will protect the water quality and reduce the sediment
from erosion. It will also address safety issues for the
children and public utilizing the park and several privately
owned buildings on the other side of the river.
Education Program: The SWCD entered into a
contract agreement with Yellow Medicine SWCD
to share an education coordinator. Lyon SWCD will
be implementing a program that has activities and
workshops for all schools, organizations and age groups
in the area. The education coordinator will also facilitate
education workshops with neighboring SWCDs in
areas where the schools have students from neighboring
counties to provide programs that do not overlap and are
even better because of the partnering.
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