Red Lake 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.

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 Red Lake County, grants were used to improve the archery and firearm ranges at the Plummer Area Sportsmen’s Club in Plummer.

Restoring RIM Match – 2003-05 biennium. Prairie once covered more than 18 million acres in Minnesota. With less than 1/10th of 1 percent of our native prairies remaining, these prairie parcels are often the last refuge for rare animals and plants including many of Minnesota’s less common birds.

The Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife Program matched Trust Fund dollars as part of this project to help fund a survey and assessment of prairie birds inhabiting 18 Scientific and Natural Areas on prairie tracts in northwest Minnesota and an additional seven sites on lands with Prairie Bank easements. Surveys were completed in Clay, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Ottertail, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Stevens and Wilkin counties.

A total of 111 rare species documentation reports were filled out and submitted for inclusion in the Natural Heritage Program database. This project was the most comprehensive effort to date to survey birds on Scientific and Natural Areas, and it was the first effort to survey birds on prairie bank sites. The project provided not only rare species sightings, but also underscored the value of these sites as habitats for wildlife, specifically birds.

Diversifying Agriculture for Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits – 1999-01 biennium. The DeRosier farm near Red Lake Falls 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 a crop alternative 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.

Prairie-Grassland Landscapes - 1997-99 biennium.  Landowners in northwestern Minnesota’s Glacial Lake Agassiz Interbeach Area are struggling to strike a balance between earning a living from the land and conserving prairies and grasslands for future generations. The Department of Natural Resources is working with local landowners and organizations to create grassland-landscaping projects that will preserve and protect the prairies.

Red River Valley Planning and Management - 1997-99 biennium. The Pollution Control Agency is working with an array of political jurisdictions and governments to determine ways of managing the land and water in the Red River Valley in northwestern Minnesota. The project includes a U.S. Geological Survey study of causes of sediment in streams and rivers in the Red River Watershed such as the Red Lake River.  This study will lead to methods of protecting water quality from the effects of erosion. 

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1991-93 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 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.  The Red Lake County survey was completed during the 1991-93 biennium.

Sealing Abandoned Wells - 1991-93 biennium.  The Board of Water and Soil Resources sealed 26 abandoned wells in Red Lake County through this grant program matching state and county funds.  Lead agency: Board of Water and Soil Resources.