Redwood 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.

The Casey Jones State Trail – 2005-07 biennium. This appropriation from the Trust Fund to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is to acquire land and develop the Casey Jones State Trail. A proposed segment in Redwood County would run from Walnut Grove along Plum Creek to Lake Shetek State Park.

Diversifying Agriculture for Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits – 1999-01 biennium. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Southwest Experiment Station in Lamberton conducted field experiments with hybrid hazelnuts. University of Minnesota scientists also studied new strains and planting schedules of cover crops for their ability to suppress weeds, recycle nutrients, control disease, decrease erosion, and increase wildlife habitat. Projects in other parts of the state examined 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.

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.

In Redwood County, Trust Fund money was used to help finance the replacement of 30 agricultural drain tile inlets with a new style designed to reduce the amount of phosphorus and sediment flowing into the river. Work was supervised by the Redwood County Soil and Water Conservation District.

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 one site on Clear Creek and two sites on the Redwood River in Redwood County during October 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.

Organic Farming Training Project – 1999-01 biennium. The Minnesota Food Association of Arden Hills and Cooperative Development Services of St Paul developed an ongoing mentoring program for farmers who want to use organic farming methods. Training farms for this project were established in Chaska, Rosemount, Hamel, Stillwater, Faribault, Owatonna, Waconia and at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. Training sessions were also held in Lamberton, Browerville, Stillwater and St. Paul. The project trained over 1,000 farmers during the biennium, many of them recent immigrants to Minnesota.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1999-01 and 1997-99 biennia. Minnesota still has pockets of rare plants, animals and natural areas that need to be protected, managed and studied. The Department of Natural Resources is surveying every county in Minnesota to locate these areas. Since the survey began in 1987, 50 counties have been surveyed. Survey work began in Redwood County during the 1997-99 biennium and was completed during the 1999-01 biennium.

Prairie Heritage Fund – 1997-99 and 1999-01 bienniums. Twenty-nine parcels of land totaling 3,683 acres were purchased in 14 counties, donated to the State of Minnesota and designated as Wildlife Management Areas as a result of this project coordinated by Pheasants Forever. Money from the Trust Fund was matched and extended for these prairie and wetland purchases by contributions from local Pheasants Forever Chapters and other groups and individuals. These new parcels fit into an existing network of close to 1,300 Wildlife Management Areas maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and are open to public hunting and other recreational pursuits.

In Redwood County, Trust Fund money was used to help purchase 726 acres of land at the confluence of Plum Creek and the Cottonwood River north of Revere to form the Two Rivers Wildlife Management Area. If you would like additional information about Wildlife Management Areas, please contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

Accelerated Native Grass and Forbs on Road Rights-of-Way - 1995-97 biennium. The way grasses and plants along roadsides are maintained significantly impacts soil and water quality, wildlife and rare plant habitats. In Redwood County, new technology was used to plant and manage native grasses along roadsides, which will protect and improve biological diversity.

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 Redwood County, the Geological Survey identified land surface features with high potential for contamination of underground aquifers.

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.

http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/index.html - 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 level. The Department of Natural Resources funded two projects in Redwood County:

- Acquisition of 6 additional acres at the Mammenga Wildlife Management Area near Wanda
- Acquisition of 160 acres at the Lamberton Wildlife Management Area

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 Redwood County, the program developed a demonstration area for landscaping for wildlife and helped preserve the population of Minnesota's only lizard, the endangered five-lined skink.

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. In Redwood County, easements on 103 acres were purchased through this program. Lead agency: Board of Water and Soil Resources.

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. The results are used to direct state and local pollution programs. Lead agency: Pollution Control Agency.

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. Through this program, 288 acres of easements were purchased in Redwood County. Lead agency: Board of Water and Soil Resources.