Big Stone County

This listing is produced by the Minnesota State Lottery from information provided by project managers and the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.  While we attempt to provide the most current information, specific project locations and allocations do change. Information on projects for the current biennium, in particular, should be regarded as preliminary.

Minnesota River Basin Initiative: Local Leadership - 1999-01 biennium with an extension to June 30, 2002.  The Minnesota River has been the subject of many studies and many projects over many years. This project, administered by the Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board, was designed to encourage local leadership within each of the 13 major Minnesota River watersheds, implement projects on a cost-sharing basis to improve the river’s water quality and display the results on the Minnesota River Basin Data Center website. Visit http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/index.html for more information about this project.

Mussel Resource Survey - 1999-01 biennium. During the first two years of this project (this biennium), biologists and other staff from the Department of Natural Resources sampled 886 sites in 32 Minnesota rivers, 64 tributaries and 12 lakes including one site on the Little Minnesota River in Big Stone County during September of 2000.  According to the website for this project, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nhnrp/mussel_survey/index.html, freshwater mussels, commonly called clams, occur throughout the world but reach their greatest diversity in North America where about 300 species are found. Unfortunately, within the last 100 years mussel communities have declined in abundance and diversity due to dam construction, stream channelization, water pollution and sedimentation, over harvesting and the recent introduction of the exotic Zebra Mussel. In response, groups such as the American Fisheries Society and The Nature Conservancy have identified mussels as the most imperiled group of animals in North America. The primary goal of this project is to build the information base necessary to sustain freshwater mussels in Minnesota. Building this base of information is expected to take about six years to complete.

Restoring the Greater Prairie Chicken to Southwestern Minnesota - 1999-01 biennium. In an effort to restore the Greater Prairie Chicken to suitable habitat in southwestern Minnesota, the Prairie Chicken Society of Minnesota arranged for the capture of wild birds in Polk, Norman, Clay and Wilkin Counties and their release in Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle and Swift Counties during the summers of 1999 and 2000. In all, 126 birds were released at six different locations near the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area.

Reinvest in Minnesota Accelerate Wildlife Land Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium.  This project acquired approximately 500 acres of wetland and restored drained wetlands and adjacent uplands identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan areas to protect them for wildlife.  In Big Stone County, 156 acres were acquired at the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area.  Lead agency:  Department of Natural Resources.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition, Development and Rehabilitation - 1995-97 biennium.  The Department Natural Resources is improving state parks by rehabilitating existing facilities and building new ones. Under this program, a sewer system was installed at Big Stone State Park.

Minnesota River Implementation Project - 1993-95 biennium.  This project works with landowners and governmental agencies to reduce the high amounts of pollution in the Minnesota River.  The goal is to use land management practices that reduce the amount of pollutants and runoff that empty into the river from a 30-county area.  The project includes an educational program being used by 15 high schools that brings attention to water quality.  Lead agency:  Pollution Control Agency.

State Park Betterment - 1993-95 biennium.  The Department of Natural Resources is improving state parks by rehabilitating existing facilities and building new ones.  Projects range from rehabilitating and restoring trails and historic structures to building new offices and shops.  At Big Stone State Park, a new building was constructed for campground shows.

Conservation Reserve Easements - 1991-93 biennium.  This program acquires easements for wetland areas to enhance wildlife habitat, control erosion and improve water quality.  Landowner compensation via easement payment has proven to be the most effective method in converting these private acres back to wildlife habitat.  In Big Stone County, 110 acres of easements were purchased through this program.  Lead agency:  Board of Water and Soil Resources.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1991-93 biennium.  The Department of Natural Resources is collecting information on plants and animals throughout Minnesota to identify the location of natural areas and rare plants and animals.  This information will be used to better manage areas that have native species of plants and animals.  This project has been ongoing since 1987.  The grant was used to produce a map of Big Stone County's rare biological features.

Minnesota River Basin Water Quality Monitoring - 1991-93 biennium.  This project sought to identify the sources of nonpoint pollution threatening the water quality and uses of the Minnesota River and its tributaries.  The results are used to direct state and local pollution programs.  Lead agency:  Pollution Control Agency.

Sealing Abandoned Wells - 1991-93 biennium.  Forty-one wells were sealed in Big Stone County through this grant program matching state and county funds.  Lead agency:  Board of Water and Soil Resources.

09/25/09 - TM