Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949

Pope SWCD TO HOLD URBAN STORMWATER WORKSHOP JULY 24TH

City of Glenwood Urban Stormwater Project Flyer

The Pope Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is hosting an Urban Stormwater Project Workshop on July 24th starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Room at the Courthouse.  The workshop is being held to highlight information in the Stormwater Quality Assessment Project completed and provide information about urban stormwater projects that can be completed by individual property owners.  Presentations will be given by Larry VanHout from Widseth Smith and Nolting, Joe Lewis from Houston Engineering, and Holly Kovarik and Jessica Oldakowski from Pope SWCD.  Topics include:  City Street Project Overview, Stormwater Quality Assessment Project, Project Implementation Opportunities, and the Grant Program Opportunity.

The Pope SWCD has been working on a project funded by a State of Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources’ Clean Water Fund Grant to model the city’s stormwater conveyances and target potential water quality project locations.  This project was funded in 2015 by a grant application submitted by the Pope SWCD.  This project was completed to assess water quality of the contributing stormwater runoff from within the city to Lake Minnewaska.  This comprehensive watershed analysis was critical to identify and predict water quality load reductions from projects based on location.  The goal of the project is to improve water quality within Lake Minnewaska by reducing the concentrations of sediment and nutrients originating from within the City of Glenwood.  The secondary goal of the project is to assess the capacity of the stormwater conveyance system within the study area.  The study has been completed and the report findings will be shared.  The study was funded by the Clean Water Land and Legacy Fund which was a 3/8 of a percent sales tax increase that started in 2008.  Pope SWCD had to competitively apply for the funding in order to do this project and the project must have an emphasis on improving water quality to be funded.  That is the primary focus of this project but the Pope SWCD also recognizes that there are secondary benefits of flooding reduction that can also be looked at as well.  This was kept in mind during the analysis conducted and coordinated with the city. 

The City of Glenwood has been coordinating other work with the street reconstruction project.  They will provide an update on the progress of this effort.  This street reconstruction project will begin in 2018 and will have impact on Highway 28 and 104 that go through downtown.  This is a separate project from the work the Pope SWCD has been working on.  Most of the areas identified for retention and detention are in the upper part of the watershed.  These are the areas where we will gain more benefit for volume of water retained and greater reductions in pollutants. 

The Pope SWCD works in private lands conservation projects and will enter into projects with interested individual landowners.  We have identified in this study projects in certain parts of the city on city property but also on private property that might be well suited for a project.  It is our intent to gain feedback from landowners interested in implementing some of these urban stormwater projects to improve water quality in Lake Minnewaska.  Some examples include raingardens, rain barrels, adjustments to rain gutters, tree trenches, retention or detention ponds, pervious pavers, and grit chambers.  Not all project locations will be suited to construct some of these projects.  A site investigation will be necessary to determine if the soil types, utilities, and location will work to allow the project to function as designed. 

The Pope SWCD intends to apply for grant funding through the Board of Water and Soil Resources to attain Clean Water Funds to provide cost share up to 75% to implement these stormwater projects.  The Pope SWCD does not currently have funding and this effort is to attain information from interested and motivated landowners to implement one or more of these projects.  This information will strengthen the grant application and increase the likelihood of receiving additional grant funds.  The Pope SWCD will know in early 2018 if they are funded and then will begin work on planning, designing, and implementing these projects in 2018-2021.  If the application is not successful the SWCD will likely reapply in the fall of 2018.  If you are interested in learning more please attend this workshop or you may call Holly or Jessica at 320-634-5327. 

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STEWARDSHIP WEEK APRIL 30 THRU MAY 7

(Glenwood, MN)— As a part of the Pope County for 68 years, the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) wants to remind you that each of us has a connection to natural resources. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is celebrating the 62nd year of Stewardship week April 30 – May 7, 2017. The 2017 Stewardship Week is themed “Healthy Soils Are Full of Life!” Soil is the starting foundation of all of the food we eat.

The Mission of Pope Soil & Water Conservation District is to promote, guide, and provide high quality technical assistance for Pope County and for the enhancement and protection of land and water resources through implementation projects that will lead toward effective conservation of soil and water. During Stewardship Week, Pope SWCD provides materials to over 30 churches in the county on the theme and has presented to three school districts including 5th and 6th grade students at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Minnewaska, and Glacial Hills schools.

“Making the connection back to the soil, where our food gets its start is so important,” says Gene Schmidt. “The next time you sit down to a meal, take a minute to think about where your food came from, and the farmers and ranchers who helped produce it,” As they work to produce food for the growing population, today’s farmers and ranchers are dedicated to using responsible land-management practices to ensure a sustainable food supply and healthy land and soil for future generations

Pope SWCD is a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) which oversees the Stewardship Week program. Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. NACD represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, which were established to encourage resource conservation across the country.

For more information about Stewardship Week and conservation, contact Holly Kovarik at 320-634-5327 or holly.kovarik@mn.nacdnet.net. Additional information about the Healthy Soils Are Full of Life! program and other useful resource education is available on the NACD website at http://www.nacdnet.org/general-resources/stewardship-program

The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state associations and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. NACD’s website is at www.nacdnet.org.

This Earth Day, we are grateful for our region’s natural resources

By: Holly Kovarik, Manager 320-634-5327

Every Earth Day, we at the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District reflect on the wonderful natural resources we get to enjoy in Pope County. Our staff is grateful for the opportunity to work with members of the community to facilitate voluntary initiatives to conserve land, water, forests and wildlife in our area. We are one of 89 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) across the state – and nearly 3,000 across the nation – that provide a neighborly presence to help preserve and protect the natural resources that we all love. The Pope SWCD has been around for more than 68 years, and we’re proud of the impact we’ve made.

Recent highlights of our work completed in 2016 include: 47 structural practices, 1 alternative rock inlet project, and 3 shoreline restorations, 6 abandoned wells sealed, 10 certified Minnesota Ag Water Quality Farms totaling 5,573 acres, plus many other tree and grass plantings and conservation projects. These are just a few examples of the work we are trying to accomplish to improve and protect our natural resources in Pope County.

 

SWCDs are local units of government that carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. We provide voluntary, incentive-driven approaches to landowners for better soil and cleaner water in the State of Minnesota. Private landowners – using financial and technical assistance from local SWCDs – are implementing a wide variety of conservation practices including restoring wetlands, planting shelterbelts and buffers, and preventing soil erosion.

Born in the wake of the Dust Bowl, SWCDs have been involved in delivering conservation across America for more than 70 years. Because Minnesota has a wide variety of landscapes and conservation needs, each district operates at the direction of locally elected board supervisors. This local perspective allows SWCDs to manage the resources and serve the needs of the citizens in their district.

Soil and Water Conservation District staff and supervisors build partnerships with public and private, local, state and federal entities in an effort to develop locally-driven solutions to natural resource concerns. We work with landowners every step of the way from planning to implementation.

 

Our work results in cleaner water, healthier wildlife habitat, better soil, and a trusted, collaborative relationship with the community. What a great thing to celebrate this Earth Day.

 

To learn more about how your SWCD can help you, visit our website at www.popeswcd.org.

Rain Barrels Can Be Used For Water Conservation

By Dalton Herrboldt, Pope SWCD Intern

Want a way to utilize all that rain water that runs off of your roof and goes out your down spout? A rain barrel is your solution. It is a perfect way to capture soft water and help to reduce runoff. In the event of a rain shower rain washes chemicals, excess fertilizer, and sediment into storm sewers. You can help reduce this through the process of catching rain water in a rain barrel.

Rain water contains no chlorine, lime, or calcium making it perfect for any flowers around the house or potted plants. Being that is has no minerals in it, rain water is perfect for washing your car and will not leave the streaks that are left behind from hard water.

Rain Barrel Facts

  • Can save 1300 gallons of water throughout the growing season
  • Garden and lawn irrigation accounts for about 40% of residential water use during the summer
  • ½ inch of rain on 200 square feet of a roof is enough to fill a 60 gallon rain barrel
  • Reduces amount of water you pay for from the municipal for watering gardens and lawns

With a 32 square foot garden it is recommended to use 20 gallons of water per week. If you saved 1300 gallons of water with a rain barrel you would be able to water a 32 square foot garden for 65 weeks.

To maximize your rain water potential you can connect multiple rain water barrels together. Once the first one fills up to the overflow level it will start filling the second one, or you can hook them together from the bottom of the barrel and they will fill up at the same time. There are several different exterior designs for barrels now to match with your house or garage to your liking.

Now is the time to consider purchasing a rain barrel as the gardening season is fast approaching. The cost is $65.00 plus tax and we do have a limited supply available.  If you have an interest in collecting rain water and would like to purchase a rain barrel contact the Pope Soil and Water Conservation District at 320-634-5327.