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WINONA COUNTY SWCD 2010 ANNUAL PLAN
I. INTRODUCTION
The Winona County Soil and Water Conservation District is a locally elected unit of government promoting soil and water conservation and environmental protection through landowner assistance, education and planning activities, coordination of public and private efforts and by serving as a forum on natural resource issues. The purpose of this plan is to help guide us in effectively running an efficient district, while maintaining on land best management practices, improving water quality, educating the public and assuring resource protection in Winona County. Some of these goals are program driven which will affect goal accomplishment. Development of this annual plan for 1-1-2010 through 12-31-10 uses key objectives of Winona County Comprehensive Water Plan, which also serves as the Districts Comprehensive plan. These include Landscape/Watershed Management, Specific Protection of Groundwater, Pollution Prevention and Storage and Transport of Polluting Materials. II. ANNUAL PLAN OBJECTIVESWinona County Soil and Water Conservation District will focus on three main objectives. All objectives are a priority for 2010. I. Provide for Efficient District Operations II. Protect and Enhance Surface and Groundwater Quality. III. Develop Partnerships with other Agencies to Promote Soil and Water Quality in Winona County.
OBJECTIVE I. PROVIDE FOR EFFICIENT DISTRICT OPERATIONS Staff Days: 150 Goal A: Work with Personnel Issues. 1. Perform Personnel Evaluations for staff on an ongoing basis. Remarks:
2. Provide training for employees as needed. Remarks:
3. Encourage Supervisors to attend Area meetings, training, Supervisor meetings and committees, legislative days, and partner with other units of government and agencies to support the conservation ethic. Remarks:
Goal B: Work to Keep District Operations Current.
1. Develop Annual budget for SWCD and present to County Commissioners. Remarks:
2. Develop 2011 Annual Plan for SWCD. Remarks:
3. Check, maintain and update SWCD website to keep public informed on various soil and water quality issues and District activities. Remarks:
Goal C: Work to Provide Services of District Programs.
1. Administer the District Tree Program in Winona County. Remarks:
2. Coordinate the Native Grass Drill Program for the District. Remarks:
OBJECTIVE II. IMPROVE, PROTECT, AND ENHANCE SOIL, SURFACE, AND GROUNDWATER QUALITY Staff Days: 668
Goal A: Work with Livestock Producers in Winona County
1. Maximize participation of producers for feedlots of 300 animal units or less in the Feedlot Water Quality Grant by implementing 7 feedlot fixes. Remarks:
2. Continue to develop 5 feedlot plans for the next funding cycle. Remarks:
3. Increase the adoption of rotational grazing in the county by writing 5 plans. Remarks:
Goal B: Protect Sensitive Areas in Winona County by Utilizing Best Management Practices.
1. Work on RIM program implementation and state implemented program site inspections. Remarks:
2. Partner to utilize riparian buffers, filter strips, and contour buffer strips program to sign up 20 acres. Remarks:
3. Partner to enroll 10 Grade Stabilization Structures to reduce gully erosion. Remarks:
4. Partner to enroll 50 acres of waterways and diversions to reduce erosion off agricultural land. Remarks:
5. Administrate the Flood Relief program to install new structures and repair & rehabilitate damaged structures. Remarks:
6. Participate in the Ag BMP Loan program to administer various loan applications for water quality benefits. Remarks:
7. Enroll various conservation practices other than listed above to control erosion and protect water quality. Remarks:
8. Report accomplishments in E-link program. Remarks:
OBJECTIVE III. DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO PROMOTE SOIL & WATER QUALITY IN WINONA COUNTY. Staff Days: 222 Goal A. Utilize Partnerships to Protect the Soil &Water Quality of Winona County.
1. Work with the Clean Energy Resource Team Alternative Energy Projects to promote bioenergy in Winona County. Remarks:
2. Work with Watersheds and Watershed District in Winona County to promote community development and soil and water quality understanding. Remarks:
3. Contract a Rush-Pine Watershed Coordinator to complete a land use survey and hold meetings in the Watershed. Remarks:
4. Work with the Rural Preserve Program to review and approve 10 Conservation Plans for landowners. Remarks:
5. Work with the City of Utica, Lewiston, and Altura to provide assistance on Wellhead Protection efforts. Remarks:
6. Work with the County Water Planner and help out with the development of the County Water Plan. Remarks:
7. Work with other conservation agencies for increasing education toward soil and water quality. Remarks:
8. Develop new relationships with people and agencies to promote District activities. Remarks:
Goal B: USE A VARIETY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION MEDIUMS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT CONSERVATION ISSUES. 1. Use local and county media to address issues affecting soil and water quality and increase education about the SWCD. Remarks:
2. Utilize Envirothon and other activities to get local schools involved in conservation issues. Remarks:
3. Hold a tour to promote District Accomplishments. Remarks:
III. COST SHARE REQUIREMENTS 1. High Priority Erosion Most of the soils in the county are considered to have the potential for significant erosion by water. The University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate staff conducted a mapping exercise utilizing the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and STATSGO mapping units for the Red River of the North basin. Using these tools, estimates of soil erosion potential by water in southeast Minnesota were determined. Much of Winona County has the potential for extreme erosion by water. The reason that much of Winona County soils have the potential for erosion is due to the steep topography. The SWCD will apply up to 75% cost share for erosion control practices to address the issue. We will attempt to leverage federal funds first and then apply state funds to reach the cost share goal. 2. Sedimentation Problems Sedimentation is adversely affecting water resources from both a quality and quantity perspective in Winona County which includes the three major watersheds along with the 24 sub watersheds. Each of these watersheds has varying degrees of offsite sedimentation problems. Winona County has approximately 68,091 acres of surface water resources with the adjoining watersheds of 17,000 acres eroding at 3T or above. The SWCD will apply up to 75% cost share for erosion control practices to address the issue. We will attempt to leverage federal funds first and then apply state funds to reach the cost share goal. 3. High Priority Feedlots Approximately 1,200 feedlots exist in Winona County of various sizes and shapes. With the karst region extending throughout Winona County many systems need professional engineering to meet the current feedlot or cost share rules. Each year we will evaluate the number of feedlots needing assistance and apply for 75% cost share with state funds. With the use of state and federal cost share along with some low interest loan programs and Open Lot Agreement cost share, producers have a number of financial opportunities to receive financial aid as well as technical assistance. 4. Flood Priority Programs Due to the 2007 flood, special cost share was allocated to the Winona SWCD. We have implemented these dollars with the policies that follow: REHABILITATION/REPAIR OF EXISTING PRACTICES The Winona County SWCD will provide up to 100% Cost-Share to landowners for rehabilitation or repair of conservation practices that were damaged by the flood on August 18, 2007 as funding is available. This will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. (October 10, 2007) NEW CONSERVATION PRACTICES TO PREVENT The Winona County SWCD will provide up to 80% Cost-Share or the maximum amount of $45,500.00 to landowners for new practices to prevent and manage erosion and sedimentation to protect flood prone areas. This will be allocated on a priority and first come first serve basis. (December 12, 2007) POND SEDIMENT CLEAN OUT The Winona County SWCD will provide up to 100% Cost-Share or the maximum amount of $15,000.00 to landowners for Pond Sediment Clean Out to protect flood prone areas. This will be allocated on a priority and first come first serve basis. (December 12, 2007) EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM (ECP) The Winona County SWCD will provide up to 25% Cost-Share or the maximum amount of $2,500.00 to landowners for debris removal (ECP-1) and conservation construction repair (ECP04) for people who applied for ECP money. STREAMBANK REHABILITATION/REPAIR PRACTICES The Winona County SWCD will provide up to 100% cost share to landowners for the rehabilitation or repair of streambanks that were damaged by the flood on August 18, 2007 contingent on the landowner applying for Federal cost share funds. This will be allocated on a priority and first come first serve basis. ****Funding is available until it is allocated and spent. The practices must meet the engineering standards of NRCS if they have EQIP money attached to their project. The district will assess and prioritize the needs practices according to BWSR standards. IV. Workload Analysis
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