Chippewa County Projects

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.

Diversifying Agriculture for Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits - 1999-01 biennium. The Moonstone and Gibson farms near Montevideo and the Struxness farm near Milan helped the University of Minnesota conduct field experiments with Illinois Bundleflower and False Indigo for livestock grazing and using hybrid hazelnuts as an alternative crop. Projects in other parts of the state examined new strains and planting schedules of cover crops. The diversification of agricultural products shows great promise for improving both the state’s environment and its farm economy.

Local Initiatives Grants Program - 1999-01 biennium. Appropriations from the Trust Fund for this project allowed the Department of Natural Resources to fund the Natural and Scenic Area Grants Program, the Conservation Partners Grants Program and the Environmental Partnerships Grants Program during the biennium. More than 140 different projects across the state were approved for matching grants from July of 1999 through June of 2001. In Chippewa County, a grant was received by the Montevideo Public School for the Minnesota River Research Expedition and two demonstration sites were established by the Prairie Country Resource Conservation and Development Council to show hardwood stand establishment through direct seeding.

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.

Native Prairie Prescribed Burns - 1999-01 biennium. Periodic fire is an essential to the health of the prairie ecosystem, but deliberately set and controlled burns interact far better with civilization than random wildfires. The Lac qui Parle area, which includes over 15,000 acres of grassland in the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area, Lac qui Parle State Park, Nature Conservancy preserves and other wildlife areas is a major part of the state’s remaining prairies. This cooperative project between the Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy accelerated the prescribed fire program in select areas of the state to improve prairie habitat. In Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift Counties, 29 prescribed burns on nearly 3,000 acres were conducted as part of this project during 2000 and 2001.

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.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1999-01 biennium and 1997-99 biennium. Minnesota still has pockets of rare plants, animals and natural areas that need to be protected, managed and studied. The Department of Natural Resources is surveying every county in Minnesota to locate these areas. Since the survey began in 1987, 50 counties have been surveyed. Survey work began in Chippewa County during the 1997-99 biennium and was completed during the 1999-01 biennium.

Prairie Heritage Fund - 1999-01 biennium and 1997-99 biennium. Twenty-nine parcels of land totaling 3,683 acres were purchased in 14 counties, donated to the State of Minnesota and designated as wildlife management areas as a result of this project coordinated by Pheasants Forever. Money from the Trust Fund was matched and extended for these prairie and wetland purchases by contributions from local Pheasants Forever chapters and other groups and individuals. These new parcels fit into an existing network of close to 1,300 wildlife management areas maintained by the Department of Natural Resources and are open to public hunting and other recreational pursuits. In Chippewa County, Trust Fund money was used to help purchase 110 acres of land northeast of Montevideo to extend the Grace Wildlife Management Area. An additional 90 acres of land northeast of Milan was purchased to extend the Milan Wildlife Management Area. If you would like additional information about wildlife management areas, please contact the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

RIM Accelerate Wildlife Land Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium. In Chippewa County, 87 acres were acquired at the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is buying privately-owned land within state parks and recreation area boundaries to avoid losing substantial natural and cultural resources. In Chippewa County, 40 acres were acquired for Lac qui Parle 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.

RIM Critical Habitat Match - 1993-95 biennium. This program provides funds to buy or improve critical fish, wildlife and native plant habitats, buy natural areas for scientific study, education and nature observation and help restore waterfowl population to their 1970s level. In Chippewa County, the program permitted the acquisition of 39 acres at the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area. Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources.

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 including the Chippewa River and Hawk Creek. The results are used to direct state and local pollution programs. Lead agency: Pollution Control Agency.

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