Lyon 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.

Minnesota County Biological Survey – 2005-07 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 in the state. This information is being collected on a county-by-county basis and will be used to better manage areas that have native species of plants and animals. Survey work in Lyon County is slated for this biennium.

Development and Rehabilitation of Minnesota Shooting Ranges − 2003-05 biennium. Through this appropriation, 28 recreational shooting organizations and archery clubs across the state received grants from the Trust Fund, along with matching grants from the Minnesota DNR Division of Enforcement, to make improvements to archery ranges and shooting ranges that are available for public use. In Lyon County, grants were used to improve the archery facilities at the Saratoga Archery Club in Tracy.

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 Lyon County, the Trust Fund portion of the allocation was used for a grant to help the Society of Local and Regional History with a book project that recounts the environmental history of the area: Draining the Great Oasis: Lessons in Sustainability.

Diversifying Agriculture for Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits – 1999-01 biennium. The Mitzner farm near Tracy helped the University of Minnesota study new strains and planting schedules of cover crops, evaluating their ability to suppress weeds, recycle nutrients, control disease, decrease erosion, and increase wildlife habitat. Projects in other parts of the state examined hybrid hazelnuts as an alternative crop and the use of Illinois Bundleflower and False Indigo for livestock grazing. The diversification of agricultural products shows great promise for improving both the state’s environment and its farm economy.

Evaluate Biodiesel made from Waste Fats and Oils - 1999-01 biennium with an extension to June 30, 2002. “Biodiesel” – fuel produced from renewable biological sources – shows great promise in reducing dependence on nonrenewable petroleum products and providing new markets for agricultural products. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, working in cooperation with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, formulated a new biodiesel fuel for this project. A product containing 20 percent biodiesel (10 percent produced from waste grease and 10 percent produced from soy oil) and 80 percent petroleum diesel was chosen as the best fit for Minnesota winters and cost of production. This “B20” blend was tested successfully at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Diesel Research and in four road maintenance trucks used by the Hennepin County Department of Public Works during the winter of 2000 – 2001. Part of this project was completed at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute in Marshall. For more information, visit: www.mnsoybean.org or www.mda.state.mn.us.

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. In Lyon County, Trust Fund money was used to help finance the construction of two floodwater retention dams on Meadow Creek tributaries. The finished projects provide temporary storage of floodwaters, sediment trapping, reduction of nutrients in the water and permanent ponds for wildlife habitat. 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 three sites on Coon Creek, 12 sites on the Redwood River and one site on the Yellow Medicine River in Lyon County during September and October of 2000. 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.

National Prairie Passage; Linking Isolated Prairie Preserves - 1999-01 biennium with an extension to June 30th 2002. With funding from the Federal Highway Administration and this grant from the Trust Fund, the Minnesota Department of Transportation arranged for the preparation and planting of 480 acres of land in Blue Mounds and Camden State Parks, the Black Rush Lake Waterfowl Production Area and the adjacent Highway 23 and 75 corridors with more than 30,000 pounds of prairie grass and wildflower seed, most of which was harvested from local prairies. Prairie Passage route signs, posters and brochures were also developed for this project and informational kiosks were installed at wayside rests near Marshall and Luverne and at Blue Mounds and Camden State Parks. The designated Prairie Passage route in Minnesota stretches through 20 counties in the western and southwestern part of the state from Manitoba to the Iowa border and will perhaps extend through Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, our partners in the National Prairie Passage project.

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 Lyon County, tree removal and prairie restoration took place at selected Wildlife Management Areas near Marshall.

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

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium.  This project is for the acquisition of new land for state parks and to develop and rehabilitate existing state parks.  At Camden Park, this grant was used or park benches and toilets and to rehabilitate the water system.  Lead agency:  Department of Natural Resources.

Wetland Restoration and Enhancement to Create Community Amenity and Form - 1995-97 biennium.  The University of Minnesota worked with five communities to create restored wetlands, thus creating wildlife habitat, improving water quality and improving recreational opportunities.  In Marshall, the program demonstrated how wetlands could be the basis for ecological neighborhoods.

County Geologic Atlases, Assessments and Groundwater Sensitivity Mapping - 1993-95 biennium.  The Minnesota Geological Survey is studying the geology and groundwater in southern 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.  In Lyon County, the project studied the relationship between geology and groundwater leading to improved mapping of the county’s groundwater resources.

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 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 level.  This grant is for the addition of 33 acres to the Amiret Wildlife Management Area located southeast of Marshall.  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 the installation of an aeration system on Cottonwood Lake.  Lead agency:  Department of Natural Resources.

State Park Betterment - 1993-95 biennium.  This program improves state parks by rehabilitating existing facilities and building new ones.  Projects range from rehabilitating and restoring trails and historic structures to building new offices and shops.  This grant was used for flood damage rehabilitation at Camden State Park.

Conservation Reserve Easements - 1991-93 biennium.  This program acquires easements for wetland areas to enhance wildlife habitat, control erosion and improve water quality.  Landowner compensation via easement payment has proven to be the most effective method in converting these private acres back to wildlife habitat.  Easements on five acres of Lyon County wetlands were purchased through this program.  Lead agency:  Board of Water and Soil Resources.

County Geologic Atlas and Groundwater Sensitivity Mapping - 1991-93 biennium.  This project resulted in expanded production of county geologic atlases and creation of a new Atlas Service office.  In Lyon County, this program was used to expand groundwater sensitivity mapping.  Lead agency:  Minnesota Geological Survey.

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 Cottonwood, Redwood and Yellow Medicine Rivers.  The results are used to direct state and local pollution programs.  Lead agency:  Pollution Control Agency.

09/25/09 - TM