Douglas 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.

Minnesota County Biological Survey – 1999-01 through 2003-05 biennia. 2001 marks the start of the eighth biennium of this ambitious twelve biennia project that identifies significant natural areas and systematically collects and interprets data on the distribution and ecology of natural communities, rare plants and area animals. Since 1987, surveys have been completed or are underway in 64 counties. Survey work in Douglas County began during the 1999-01 biennium and was completed in the 2003-05 biennium.

Integrated Prairie Management - 1999-01 biennium. This cooperative project by the University of Minnesota and Clay County took an integrated land management approach to solve the conflict between the continuing need for gravel and other aggregate resources and the desire for conservation of the native landscape on public land at the Felton Prairie Complex. In the process, the Zilmer pit became a restored prairie and interpretive site. This project also studied the effects of fire and rotational grazing on prairie vegetation, livestock, and grassland birds in western Minnesota and produced the booklet Landowner’s Guide to Management of Prairie in Minnesota. Part of the prairie vegetation study took place at the Dean Elmer farm in Douglas County.

Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality Initiative - 1999-01 biennium. This Department of Natural Resources program helped lakeshore homeowners learn how to use native plants on the shoreline and in the water to enhance wildlife habitat and improve water quality in their lake. With assistance from the Minnesota Lakes Association, the department conducted a series of workshops for property owners and constructed demonstration sites throughout the state. In Douglas County, a workshop was held on July 7th, 2000 in Alexandria.

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 Web site. 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 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sampled 886 sites in 32 Minnesota rivers, 64 tributaries and 12 lakes, including five sites on the Long Prairie River in Douglas County during July of 2000.

According to the website for this project, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/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.

RIM Accelerate Fisheries Acquisition - 1997-99 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is working to increase fish populations by acquiring aquatic management areas including easements and fee title on lakes and streams. In Douglas County, Lake Latoka (near Alexandria) is slated for improvements under this program.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources will acquire new lands for state parks and develop and rehabilitate existing ones. At Lake Carlos State Park, park tables and toilets were installed.

Fisheries Acquisition for Angler Access and Habitat Development - 1993-95 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is buying easements along three miles of trout streams and three miles of warm-water streams to increase access for anglers and improve fish habitats. The DNR is also protecting critical fish habitats by purchasing 200 acres of land near those habitats. In Douglas County, the DNR acquired land and easements along West Rachel Shores.

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 and Little Chippewa Rivers. The results are used to direct state and local pollution programs.

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 Conservation Reserve Easements - 1991-93 biennium. This program assists landowners in returning marginal farmland - especially legally drained wetlands - back to its natural habitat, thus improving water quality, controlling erosion and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat. In Douglas County, 57 acres of easements were purchased under this program. Lead agency: Board of Water and Soil Resources.