Goodhue 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.

Cannon Valley Trail Belle Creek Bridge Replacement – 2005-07 biennium. The Cannon Valley Trail is a 20 mile recreational trail connecting the cities of Red Wing and Cannon Falls. This appropriation from the Trust Fund to the Cannon Valley Trail Joint Powers Board is to replace a deteriorating bridge west of Red Wing.

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.

Biological Control of Eurasian Watermilfoil and Purple Loosestrife - Continuation - 2001-03 biennium. In cooperation with staff from the University of Minnesota, the Army Corps of Engineers, Cornell University and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources coordinated this project to develop and implement biological controls for Eurasian Watermilfoil and Purple Loosestrife – two intrusive species invading Minnesota lakes and rivers.

The research scientists working on this project chose study areas along the Mississippi River corridor between Red Wing and Winona and lakes in the seven county metro area. They report that milfoil weevils can cause sustained declines of the invasive, non-native Eurasian Watermilfoil if sufficient densities of the insect are maintained throughout the summer each year. They also discovered that the milfoil weevils have their own predators – sunfish, which were in turn studied for their effect on the weevil population. Other variables they manipulated for this project include water clarity and physically removing milfoil and other plants.

On the other side of the project, research scientists found that leaf-beetles can provide long-term control of purple loosestrife and that these biological agents do not have a detrimental effect on two non-invasive species of loosestrife native to Minnesota. Their study results show these agents can move through a wetland in less than three years and disperse and colonize other wetlands as far as 20 kilometers away.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition - 2001-03 biennium. Funding from two sources - the Trust Fund and the Future Resources Fund - was combined for this project to expand our public parks. Frontenac State Park in Goodhue County grew by 38.5 acres during the biennium. In all, more than 1,100 acres were purchased within the boundaries of nine state park and recreation areas from willing private landowners.

Conservation-Based Development Program - 1999-01 biennium. The Minnesota Land Trust – a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Minnesota’s land and water resources – used this appropriation to improve conservation practices for new housing developments throughout Minnesota. Samples of this new style of building in Goodhue County include: Mineral Springs, a 160 acre development east of Cannon Falls that protects the shoreline of the Cannon River, features 70 acres of restored prairie, recreational trails along the river, 10 single family homes and a total of 130 acres of open space, and High Park Village, a 120 acre development planned along the bluffs overlooking the city of Red Wing includes wooded bluffs and ravines, its own storm water treatment system, single-family and multi-family homes, innovative lot designs and 38 acres of open space.

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 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.

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 Goodhue County, grants were received by the Wells Creek Watershed Partnership to establish a stream gauging station to aid in stream and watershed monitoring.

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 14 sites on the Mississippi River in Goodhue 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.

Nongame Wildlife Management - 1999-01 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife Program used this grant from the Trust Fund to help carry out more than 65 wildlife conservation projects during the biennium. Among the research, habitat management, information and education and planning activities were planting of lakescaping sites, development of bald eagle management plans, surveys of loon, hawk and owl populations, habitat improvements for endangered and threatened species, and wildlife management workshops. In Goodhue County, turtle population surveys took place on the Cannon and Zumbro Rivers.

The Web site for the Minnesota DNR Nongame Wildlife Program is http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/nongame/index.html

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.

Sustainability Forums - 1999-01 biennium. Sustainability was the topic of discussion at these three-day workshops held in Red Wing, Willmar, Duluth and Winona. The objectives at each workshop were to increase citizen knowledge and awareness of community sustainability principles, improve communication between citizens and local government leaders, and enhance opportunities for citizen leadership in the development and implementation of community sustainability action plans. This project was planned and conducted by the Izaak Walton League of America, Minnesota Division.

Minnesota’s Forest Bird Diversity Initiative - 1999-01, 1997-99, 1995-97, 1993-95 and 1991-93 biennia. Forest birds are key indicators of the health of Minnesota’s forest ecosystem. To address concerns of forest sustainability, the Minnesota 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.

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 Goodhue County, mussel life history research will take place in the Mississippi River.

Protecting Rural Historic Landscapes in High Development Areas - 1997-99 biennium. The Rochester-Twin Cities-St. Cloud corridor still has significant rural landscape features - windbreaks, barns and farmhouses - that reflect the state’s agricultural history. The Minnesota Historical Society is identifying these features and will conduct two workshops with land planning agencies to implement a management plan to protect them. In Goodhue County, site selection will accompany the management plan.

Cannon River Watershed Strategic Plan - 1995-97 biennium. The Cannon River in southeast Minnesota and some of its tributaries are being cleaned up through the Cannon River Watershed Partnership. With local and technical help, the Partnership is improving water quality by reducing pollution and erosion, protecting sensitive areas and encouraging agricultural practices that do not affect the environment. In Goodhue County, management activities were implemented.

Cannon Valley Trail Repair - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources repaired a 1,000-foot section of the Cannon Valley Trail that was damaged by erosion.

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 will receive matching grants to establish or enhance nature areas within walking distances of the school buildings. Through this program, students at Red Wing’s Burnside Elementary School converted a drainage ditch into wildlife habitat and planted a butterfly garden.

Maintaining Native Grasses Along Roadsides - 1995-97 biennium. Grasses and plants that grow along roadsides significantly impact soil and water quality, wildlife and rare plant habitats. The Department of Natural Resources used new technology to plant and manage native grasses along roadsides to protect and improve biological diversity.

RIM Critical Habitat Match - 1995-97 biennium. This program provides matching 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 populations to their 1970s levels. Under this program, 80 acres were acquired for the Woodbury Wildlife Management Area. Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources.

State Park Recreational Area Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium. This program was used to acquire new lands for state parks and to develop and rehabilitate existing state parks. Under this program, the Department of Natural Resources added 36 acres to Frontenac State Park and installed a new interpretative display.

RIM Critical Habitat Match - 1993-95 biennium. This program provides matching 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 populations to their 1970s levels. Under this program, 65 acres of habitat for rare species was acquired in addition to the acquisition of 75 acres for wood turtle habitat. 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. This grant is for habitat improvement on Hay Creek (south of Red Wing). 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, observing nature and education. In Goodhue County, the grant was used for bald eagle winter habitat management, wood turtle habitat management and for wetland habitat restoration.

Cannon River Watershed Grants - 1991-93 biennium. The Cannon River is facing increasing industrial, agricultural and suburban pressures. This project distributed grants to promote proper resource management techniques and enhance the watershed's natural systems for the Cannon River Watershed. In Goodhue County, grants were given for the Cannon Falls Nature Area and a self-guided interpretive trail. Lead agency: Board of Water and Soil 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.

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 Goodhue County survey was completed during the biennium.

Mississippi River Valley Blufflands Initiative - 1991-93 biennium. This project was designed to assist local officials in developing appropriate land use controls, identifying critical habitats and improving citizen stewardship of the blufflands. Lead agency: Department of Natural Resources.

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