Fillmore 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.

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 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.

Water Recreation: Boat Access, Fishing Piers and Shore Fishing - 2001-03 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources combined this allocation from the Trust Fund with significant help from local partners to develop five public water access sites around the state, purchase three parcels of land to provide new or expanded access, construct two shore-fishing areas and add or modify eighteen public-fishing piers. In Fillmore County, Trust Fund money was used to purchase and install a 64-foot fishing pier in 2002 at the Lanesboro Bass Pond.

Diversifying Agriculture for Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits - 1999-01 biennium. The Dansingburg farm near Rushford helped the University of Minnesota study Illinois Bundleflower and False Indigo - two native prairie plants - for potential livestock grazing. Projects in other parts of the state examined the use of new strains and planting schedules of cover crops and hybrid hazelnuts as a crop alternative. The diversification of agricultural products shows great promise for improving both the state’s environment and its farm economy.

Groundwater Flow in the Prairie du Chien Aquifer - 1999-01 biennium. The Prairie du Chien and underlying Jordan Aquifers supply drinking water to more than 15,000 wells in the Twin Cities, Rochester and other parts of southeastern Minnesota. Groundwater in this part of the state has been contaminated at specific locations including a landfill in northern Olmsted County, the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Ramsey County and beneath sewage treatment ponds in Wabasha and Winona Counties. This project by the University of Minnesota’s Geological Survey is studying the structure and flow of the aquifers to better predict how contamination will travel through these underground waterways so better prevention plans can be developed.

Karst Education for Southeastern Minnesota - 1999-01 biennium. A unique feature of southeastern Minnesota’s landscape is its “karst topography” - landscape resulting from the interaction of water and limestone-based bedrock. This rock is very porous, making area groundwater supplies particularly susceptible to contamination. The Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board used this grant to develop teacher workshops, educational materials and a traveling exhibit that demonstrate the connections between land use and ground water contamination. The exhibit “Karst - A Special Landscape that Needs Special Care” is housed at Lanesboro’s Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center between visits to other locations.

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 Fillmore County, grants were received by the City of Wykoff for the construction of a storm-water treatment system for the Meisner sinkhole and by the Mower Soil and Water Conservation District to continue testing water from the Upper Iowa River for turbidity, atrazine, membrane fecal coliform, nitrates and ammonia.

Management and Restoration of Natural Plant Communities on State Trails - 1999-01 biennium. This Department of Natural Resources’ project will enhance the ecological value of these recreation corridors and, thereby, contribute to the sustainability of the native landscape, heighten the quality of the recreation experience and foster environmental stewardship and education. In Fillmore County, Eco-Tech of Cannon Falls was awarded the contract to seed four acres of trail rights-of-way along the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail with native grasses and forbs. The project was completed in November of 1999.

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 four sites on Beaver Creek, one site on Pine Creek and three sites on the Upper Iowa River in Fillmore County during September of 1999.

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.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition, Development, Betterment and Rehabilitation - 1999-01 biennium. This project provided funds to acquire 155 acres of critical private land within the current boundaries of six of our state parks - 11 acres at Fort Snelling in Hennepin and Dakota Counties, 2 acres at Frontenac in Goodhue County, 11 acres at Moose Lake in Carlton County, 10 acres at Nerstrand Big Woods in Rice County, 81 acres at Sibley in Kandiyohi County and 40 acres at Whitewater in Winona County. This project also provided development funds for a municipal sewer connection at Banning State Park in Pine County, design funding for the new visitor center at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park in Fillmore County and a portion of the development cost for the Itasca Suites guest lodging at Itasca State Park in Clearwater County.

Minnesota’s Forest Bird Diversity Initiative - 1999-01 biennium, 1997-99 biennium, 1995-97 biennium, 1993-95 biennium and 1991-93 biennium. Forest birds are key indicators of the health of Minnesota’s forest ecosystem. To address concerns of forest sustainability, the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Research Institute (at the University of Minnesota, Duluth) launched Minnesota’s Forest Bird Diversity Initiative in 1991. The Initiative’s goal is to develop landscape management tools to maintain the state’s unique diversity of forest birds through long-term monitoring of bird populations, research, modeling and education. This Initiative relies on more than 1,600 bird count locations in Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Olmsted, Pine, Rice, St Louis, Wabasha and Winona Counties. For more information about this project, including other sponsors, visit www.nrri.umn.edu/mnbirds.

Fillmore County Soil Survey Update - 1997-99 biennium. The Board of Water and Soil Resources is working with the Soil and Water Conservation District to update Fillmore County’s soil survey that was completed in 1954. The six-year project, now in its second year, involves updating soil survey maps, interpretations and the soil database used to manage agriculture, forestry, urban development, recreation and wildlife.

Fisheries Statewide Hatchery Rehabilitation - 1997-99 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is improving and maintaining its fish hatcheries in Peterson and Lanesboro for fish culture, rearing and holding.

Minnesota Rare Mussel Conservation - 1997-99 biennium. This University of Minnesota project is attempting to improve freshwater mussel conservation and protect them from invading Zebra mussels. In Fillmore County, mussel life history research will take place in the Root River among other places.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition, Development, Betterment and Rehabilitation - 1997-99 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is expanding and improving state parks and recreation areas by building new facilities, repairing and upgrading existing facilities and buying privately-owned land within park boundaries. In Fillmore County, the DNR added 29 acres to Forestville State Park.

Blufflands Landscape - 1995-97 biennium. The blufflands in southeast Minnesota are rich with natural, scenic, cultural, historical and biological resources but they are increasingly threatened by population growth. The Department of Natural Resources is working with area communities to protect these resources while encouraging economic growth. The plan might include creating training manuals and landowner guides, changing local zoning regulations, establishing easements and buying key parcels of land to protect the blufflands. In Fillmore County, a management framework was developed for the scenic and biological resources of the Mississippi Valley blufflands landscape and to foster integrated decisions and public commitment to protection. Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources.

Maintaining Native Grasses Along Roadsides - 1995-97 biennium. Grasses and plants that grow along roadsides greatly impact the soil and water quality, wildlife and rare plant habitats. In Fillmore County, the Department of Natural Resources used new techniques to plant and manage native grasses that will improve and protect biological diversity.

RIM Accelerate Fisheries Acquisition for Angler Access - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is buying land and easements along lakes and streams to increase fishing opportunities and to develop and protect fish habitat. In Fillmore County, 4 acres were acquired at Little Jordan Creek while 0.79 acres were acquired at Mill Creek.

RIM Statewide Fisheries Habitat Development, Hatchery Rehabilitation and Stream Flow Protection - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is increasing fish populations by 1) improving fish habitats with lake aeration systems, erosion-free shorelines and new in-water structures; 2) enhancing stocking efforts by improving six stocking facilities; and 3) collecting information about streams and their fish to predict changes in the habitat as the flow changes. Five projects were funded in Fillmore County:

- Repair of the main spring pond at the Lanesboro Hatchery.
- Lanesboro Hatchery nursery renovation.
- Linear water clarifier #1 at the Lanesboro Hatchery.
- Security fencing at the Peterson Hatchery.
- Linear water clarifier #4 at the Lanesboro Hatchery.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is buying privately-owned land within state park and recreation boundaries to avoid losing substantial natural and cultural resources. Under this program, Mystery Cave at Forestville State Park was restored and 42.5 acres of land was purchased for Forestville State Park.

County Geologic Atlases, Assessments and Groundwater Sensitivity Mapping - 1993-95 biennium. The Minnesota Geological Survey is studying the geology and groundwater in southeastern Minnesota. Maps will be produced and used for planning and environmental protection. The Department of Natural Resources is also producing maps of areas with the potential for groundwater pollution from materials like farm chemicals. These maps can be used for land use planning, regulation and management.

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 including the purchase of three-quarters of a mile of Mill Creek and 12 acres of easements for access to this area.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1993-95 biennium. Since 1987, the Department of Natural Resources has been 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. The Fillmore County survey began during the 1993-95 biennium and was completed in the 1995-97 biennium.

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. Fillmore County contains algific slopes, a rare environment found at the base of limestone cliffs. Plants and animals living on these slopes are remnants of the Ice Age and are often found nowhere else in the United States. Five acres of these slopes have been preserved through the Critical Habitat Match Program. Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources.

RIM Statewide Fisheries Habitat Development - 1993-95 biennium. This program improves habitat for trout, walleye and smallmouth bass by building structures in 25 miles of streams throughout the state and installing aerators in lakes prone to winter kill. In Fillmore County, grant money was spent for habitat improvements on Camp Creek, Mill Creek and the South Fork of the Root River. Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources.

RIM Wildlife Habitat Stewardship - 1993-95 biennium. About 29,000 acres of state land is being developed and improved to protect wildlife and native plants. The Department of Natural Resources is restoring prairies, brush land, forests and non-game habitat while planting and managing native vegetation to enhance hunting, nature observation and education. In Fillmore County, grant money was spent on bat habitat management and on grassland development.

State Trail Development - 1993-95 biennium. This program seeks to purchase and develop new recreational trails for hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, skiing and horseback riding. In Fillmore County, a new trail beginning in Harmony connects with the existing Root River State Trail in Preston.

County Geologic Atlas and Groundwater Sensitivity Mapping - 1991-93 biennium. This project resulted in expanded production of county geologic atlases, expanded groundwater sensitivity mapping and creation of a new Atlas Service office. In Fillmore County, the project led to the production of a county geologic atlas. Lead agency: Minnesota Geological Survey.

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. Nine wells were sealed in Fillmore County through this grant program matching state and county funds. Lead agency: Board of Water and Soil Resources.