Pope 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 – 2001-03 and 1999-01 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 Pope County began during the 1999-01 biennium and continues in the 2001-03 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 three privately owned pastures in Pope 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 Pope County, a demonstration site was completed on Barsness Park stream in Glenwood.

Local Initiatives Grants Program - 1999-01 biennium.  This appropriation allows the Department of Natural Resources to provide matching grants to local governments or private organizations for various projects related to local parks, natural and scenic areas, local trail connection projects, regional trail projects, environmental partnership projects and conservation partners projects.  In Pope County, the program will fund community technical assistance.

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.

Water Access - 1995-97 biennium. This appropriation will allow acquisition and development of boat access sites, fishing piers and shoreline access.  This grant was used to acquire and construct a water access site on Lake Reno south of Alexandria.

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.

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 River.  The results are used to direct state and local pollution programs. 

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 Pope County, easements on 46.2 acres were purchased under this program.  Lead agency:  Board of Water and Soil Resources.