Dodge 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.

Updating Outmoded Soil Surveys - 1999-01 through 2003-05 biennia. The Board of Water and Soil Resources is working to update outmoded soil surveys for more than 1.5 million acres of land in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue and Wabasha Counties. The update is needed so that current soil survey maps, descriptions and database are available for managing agriculture, forestry, urban growth, recreation and wildlife land. As interim products from this project are developed, they will be made available to the local soil and water conservation districts for dissemination to the public. The project is expected to be complete by July of 2006.

Local Grants Initiative Program: Outdoor Recreation Grants – 2001-03 biennium. Money from the Trust Fund as well as the Minnesota Future Resources Fund was allocated during the biennium for this project administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. As a result, grants were provided for more than 130 different local environmental initiatives under several different categories, each with their own requirements: the Natural and Scenic Area grants program, Regional Park grants, Local Park grants, Conservation Partner grants and Environmental Partnership grants. In Dodge County, the Trust Fund portion of the allocation was used for grants to help the Soil and Water Conservation District purchase a no till seed drill to plant native grasses along stream buffer zones and to help the county inform landowners about opportunities for wetland restoration.

Mussel Resource Survey - 1999-01 biennium. During the first two years of this project (this biennium), biologists and other staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sampled 886 sites in 32 Minnesota rivers, 64 tributaries and 12 lakes, including five sites on the East Fork of the Cedar River, one site on the Middle Fork of the Cedar River and one site on Cedar River in Dodge County during August of 1999. 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.

Prairie Heritage Fund – 1999-01 and 1997-99 biennia. 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 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and are open to public hunting and other recreational pursuits. In Dodge County, Trust Fund money was used to help purchase 120 acres of land west of Mantorville to extend the Pheasants Forever Wildlife Management Area. If you would like additional information about Wildlife Management Areas, please contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

Minnesota Rare Mussel Conservation - 1997-99 biennium.  This University of Minnesota project established and monitored mussel habitat to improve freshwater mussel conservation and protect them from invading Zebra mussels.  In Dodge County, mussel life history research took place in the South Fork of the Zumbro River among other places.

Environmental Action Grants for Minnesota Schools - 1995-97 biennium.  St. Olaf College's School Nature Area Project is conducting a pilot program in which 40 K-12 schools received matching grants to establish or enhance nature areas within walking distances of school buildings.  High school students at Hayfield Public School used one of these grants to establish a nature area and restore native vegetation to a low-lying section of their school grounds.

Maintaining Native Grasses Along Roadsides - 1995-97 biennium.  The way grasses and plants along roadsides are maintained significantly impacts soil and water quality, wildlife and rare plant habitats.  Under this program, new technology was used to plant and manage native grasses in road rights-of-way that will protect and improve biological diversity.

RIM Critical Habitat Match - 1993-95 biennium.  This program provides matching funds to those who want to buy or improve critical fish, wildlife and native plant habitats in Minnesota.  Some of these funds are being used to buy natural areas for scientific study, education and nature observation; others are helping restore waterfowl populations to their 1970s levels.  In Dodge County, the grant was used to acquire 50 additional acres of land for the Bud Jensen Wildlife Management Area.  Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources.

Erosion Control Cost - Share Grants - 1991-93 biennium.  This program aids in the funding of conservation costs for soil erosion control and the protection of water quality. Lead agency:  Board of Water and Soil Resources.

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

09/25/09 - TM