Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949

Nitrate Clinic To Be Held At Pope Co Fair

Pope Soil and Water Conservation District (Pope SWCD) will be hosting a free water testing clinic Friday, August 2nd from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Pope County Fair. Bring your water sample to the Pope SWCD booth in the Industrial Building at the fairgrounds for a free nitrate analysis. To receive best results, collect a minimum of one-half cup of room temperature water in a clean container within two hours of testing.

Nitrogen exists in the environment in both organic and inorganic forms. When in its inorganic form, ammonium (NH4) or nitrate (NO3), it is an essential element to plants. However, when considering water quality, nitrogen becomes a concern when in its nitrate form. Excessive nitrate concentrations in groundwater can be hazardous to human and environmental health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set 10 mg/L as the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends that private wells receive nitrate testing at least once every two to three years. If nitrates have been previously detected or if an infant under six months will be consuming the water, testing should be conducted more frequently.

Nitrates most commonly enter groundwater through leaching or draining. Because nitrate does not attach to soil particles, it is easily moved by water. Therefore, as water filters through the soil, so do present nitrates. Some primary factors that have an effect on nitrogen leaching include: nitrogen rate, application timing, nitrogen sources, irrigation practices, age of site, and soil texture. The contamination can result from both anthropogenic (human caused) and natural sources. Although both can lead to hazardous conditions, it is often anthropogenic sources that force nitrate concentrations into dangerous levels. These sources include but are not limited to: fertilizer application, manure storage, and sewage disposal. There are available treatments used to rehabilitate contaminated water. However, prevention of nitrogen loss is the favored method in reducing nitrate concentrations in groundwater.

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Chippewa River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan Public Hearing Notice

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that the Chippewa River Watershed Association Joint Powers Board is holding a Public Hearing at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Pope County Courthouse Community Room, 130 E. Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN regarding the Chippewa River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan adoption.

Information will be presented and discussed regarding the draft comprehensive watershed management plan for the Chippewa River Watershed, which covers portions of Otter Tail, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Stearns, Swift, Kandiyohi, and Chippewa Counties. This Plan was previously out for 60-day review from December 18th – February 27th, 2024. This Plan was developed cooperatively by the County Boards and SWCD Boards in Otter Tail, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Stearns, Swift, Kandiyohi, and Chippewa Counties.

Any interested person(s) may appear at the above time and place and are invited to attend the hearing and submit comments, written or verbal, that will become part of the official public hearing record. 

Please submit written comments by 9:15 a.m. on Friday, April 19th, 2024 using the contact information below.  Comments will be considered when making final revisions to the plan.

            By Mail:           Pope Soil and Water Conservation District

                                    Attn: Holly Kovarik, District Manager

                                    1680 Franklin Street North

                                    Glenwood, MN 56334

            By E-Mail:        holly.kovarik@mn.nacdnet.net

                                    Subject: “Chippewa River Watershed Plan Public Comments” 

Copies of the current draft Plan, maps of the planning area, a summary of the response to comments, and related documents are available on the Chippewa River Watershed website:  https://chippewariverwatershed.org/plans/comprehensive-watershed-management-plan/

A hard copy of the draft plan is available upon request at the following locations during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Please call ahead to make an appointment to view the hard copies at the following location: Pope Soil and Water Conservation District 1680 Franklin Street North, Glenwood, MN 56334.

Holly Kovarik, District Manager

Pope Soil and Water Conservation District