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Pope-Swift Cooperative Weed Management Area Cost-Share Assistance

The Pope-Swift CWMA program has funding available to assist landowner that have a plumeless thistle stand on their pasture ground. Eligible landowners enter into a contract with the Pope SWCD for 75% reimbursement, not to exceed $500, to offset the cost of herbicide and labor in treatment of plumeless thistle on the pasture. If you are interested in this program or know someone that is, you can refer to the CWMA Cost-share flyer (attached) and/or contact Jessica Hoheisel at 634-5327 ext. 114 for more details.

CWMA Pasture Cost-share Fact Sheet_FINAL

North Fork Crow River 1 Watershed 1 Plan 60 Comment Period

From: Crow River Organization of Water

Re: Submittal of the North Fork Crow River One Watershed, One Plan

The North Fork Crow River Water Planning Partnership, on behalf of the members, is pleased to present the North Fork Crow River One Watershed, One Plan for 60-day review. Plans developed through One Watershed, One Plan will build off existing local water management plans and priorities, existing and new studies and data, Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) and other related plans from state agencies.

The Plan is available through the following link:

www.crowriver.org

Link will be listed on the CROW’s Home page

and also under the

CROW’s Water Quality Menu, click North Fork 1W1P (One Watershed, One Plan)

Comments on the Plan should be sent to both:

Diane Sander, Watershed Coordinator Steve Christopher, Board Conservationist

Crow River Organization of Water MN Board of Water and Soil Resources

311 Brighton Avenue, Suite C 520 Lafayette Road North

Buffalo, MN 55313 St. Paul, MN 55155

diane.sander@mn.nacdnet.net Steve.Christopher@state.mn.us

On behalf of the Partnership members, thank you.

North Fork Crow Water Planning Partnership

Kandiyohi County Kandiyohi Soil and Water Conservation District

McLeod County McLeod Soil and Water Conservation District

Meeker County Meeker Soil and Water Conservation District

Pope County Pope Soil and Water Conservation District

Stearns County Stearns Soil and Water Conservation District

Wright County Wright Soil and Water Conservation District

Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District North Fork Crow River Watershed District

Crow River Organization of Water

DRAFT PLAN

APPENDICIES

LANDOWNERS HAVE NEW OPTIONS TO HELP WITH BUFFER LAW

Today, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources announced two additional resources for landowners working to come into compliance with the state’s buffer law. The law, which was passed with bipartisan support in 2015 and signed into law by Governor Dayton, requires the implementation of a buffer strip on public waters by November 1, 2017 and a buffer on public drainage ditches by November 1, 2018.

These additional resources, both financial and found online, are designed to help landowners be successful in complying with the law.” explained John Jaschke, Executive Director BWSR. “Local SWCDs and landowners have been working together over the past 18 months and, we are making great progress with 64 counties already 60-100% compliant.”

COST-SHARE PROGRAM

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources has approved a new buffer cost-share program, allocating almost $5 million dollars to support landowners in meeting the requirements of the state buffer law.

The funds will be distributed to soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) and are to be used for cost-sharing contracts with landowners or their authorized agents to implement riparian buffers or alternative practices on public waters and public drainage ditches.

These Clean Water Funds, passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Dayton at the end of the 2017 legislative session, provide important support to the Governor’s Buffer Initiative.

The 2017 legislation also recognizes that some landowners may have hardships (such as weather) in meeting the public waters deadline. The added language allows for an eight-month extension for implementation when a landowner or authorized agent has filed a riparian protection “compliance plan” with their local SWCD by November 1, 2017. Compliance waivers offer a buffer deadline extension until July 1, 2018.

NEW ONE-STOP WEBSITE

Minnesota landowners with questions about compliance waivers and other buffer topics also have another option available today with the launching of a new one-stop website for information and tips to implement the buffer law. The new site, mn.gov/buffer-law, is a user-friendly and convenient resource for landowners and the public to learn about the law, find answers about alternative practices, and get information about financial and technical assistance and more.

The new buffer site, launched by the State of Minnesota is found at https://mn.gov/portal/natural-resources/buffer-law/ For more information on the buffer law, including the cost-share program, contact your local soil and water conservation district.

COMPLIANCE

Soil and Water Conservation Districts have been hard at work with landowners statewide and progress toward compliance is being made. 64 of Minnesota’s 87 counties are 60 – 100 percent in compliance with the buffer law. Statewide, preliminary compliance with the buffer law is 89%.

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BWSR is the state soil and water conservation agency, and it administers programs that prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; and protect wetlands. The 20-member board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. BWSR’s mission is to improve and protect Minnesota’s water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners.

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.