Winona 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.

Clean Energy Resource Teams and Community Wind Energy Rebate Programs – 2005-07 biennium. Part of this Trust Fund appropriation to the Department of Commerce – State Energy Office will help a Winona County consortium develop a locally owned wind energy program.

Biological Control of Eurasian Watermilfoil and Purple Loosestrife - Continuation - 2001-03 biennium. In cooperation with staff from the University of Minnesota, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cornell University and the Department of Agriculture, the 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.

Accelerated Transfer of New Forest-Research Findings - 1999-01 biennium. With its roots in the 1993 Generic Environmental Impact Study on Timber Harvesting and Forest Management and the 1995 Minnesota Sustainable Forest Resources Act, the Sustainable Forests Education Cooperative used this appropriation to host an international conference in Duluth and continuing education workshops for natural resource professionals in Winona, Grand Rapids and Cloquet. The cooperative, supported by public and private members, encourages an approach to resource management where social, economic and ecological values work together to sustain healthy, productive forest systems.

Diversifying Agriculture for Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits - 1999-01 biennium. The Dansburger farm near Wilson helped the University of Minnesota conduct field experiments with Illinois Bundleflower and False Indigo - two native prairie plants - for livestock grazing. Projects in other parts of the state examined new strains and planting schedules of cover crops and the use of hybrid hazelnuts as a crop alternative. The diversification of agricultural products shows great promise for improving both the state’s environment and its farm economy.

Farm Ponds as Critical Habitats for Native Amphibians - 1999-01 biennium. This project studied farm ponds and natural wetlands in Houston and Winona Counties during the spring and summer of 2000 and 2001. The objectives were to identify land management practices that sustain healthy populations of amphibians and recommend monitoring methods suitable for assessing amphibian habitat quality.

For more information about the study, you can visit http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/terrestrial/amphibians/mknutson_5003869.html. This study was organized by the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center of the U. S. Geological Survey in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

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’s 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.

Karst Education for Southeastern Minnesota - 1999-01 biennium. The Southeast Minnesota Water Resources Board, with assistance from Winona State University’s Geology Department, will develop teacher training workshops, educational materials and exhibits demonstrating the connections between land use and groundwater contamination in southeastern Minnesota’s Karst landscape.

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 Winona County, a demonstration site was completed on Lake Winona.

Nongame Wildlife Management - 1999-01 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) 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. Projects in Winona County included a study of the effect of changes in grassland habitat on the population of endangered Henslow’s Sparrows at Great River Bluff State Park and a workshop for landowners on timber rattlesnake management. The website for the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program is http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/nongame/index.html

Public Boat Access and Fishing Piers - 1999-01 biennium. With help from the Minnesota Future Resources Fund and donations from local contributors, Trust Fund money was put to work building and extending fishing piers, developing boat access sites and purchasing land for future access sites. In Winona County, a 104-foot fishing pier was installed at LaCanne Lake in 2001.

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 Minnesota Division of the Izaak Walton League of America.

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

Land Use Development and Natural Resource Protection Model - 1997-99 biennium. The City of Winona is developing an information system that will determine the environmental impact of proposed developments in the Winona area. Developers, city planners and government officials can use this system to tell if a proposed development might reduce wildlife habitat, cause flooding, contaminate groundwater or decrease aesthetics.

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

RIM Accelerate Fisheries Acquisition - 1997-99 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is working to increase fish populations by acquiring aquatic management areas including easements and fee title on lakes and streams. In Winona County, 151 acres have been acquired along Pine Creek and Ahrensfeld Creek.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition, Development, Betterment and Rehabilitation - 1997-99 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is expanding and improving state parks and recreation areas by building new facilities, repairing and upgrading existing facilities and buying privately-owned land within park boundaries. This grant will allow the purchase of 120 acres at John Latsch State Park.

Blufflands Landscape - 1995-97 biennium. Under this program, the Department of Natural Resources developed a management framework for the scenic and biological resources of the Mississippi valley blufflands landscape as well as worked with communities along the river to foster integrated decisions and increase public commitment.

Environmental Action Grants for Minnesota Schools - 1995-97 biennium. St. Olaf College’s School Nature Area Project is conducting a pilot program with the help of the Department of Natural Resources where 40 K-12 schools will receive matching grants to establish or enhance nature areas within walking distances of the school buildings. Students at Rollingstone Community School planted additional woodland plant species in their nature area to increase biological diversity and wildlife habitat.

Environmental Education Teacher Training - 1995-97 biennium. Minnesota universities that train students to be teachers do not offer environmental education courses because it is a new field of study and is not required for teacher licensure. The Office of Environmental Assistance is working with universities to develop four such courses that can be required for students and offered to teachers as in-service programs. Winona State University received a grant for the participation of their educators.

RIM Accelerate Fisheries Acquisition for Angler Access - 1995-97 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources is buying 100 acres of land and easements along lakes and streams to increase fishing opportunities and develop and protect fish habitat. In Winona County, 27 acres of land and easements were purchased at Coolridge, Hemmingway and Pine Creeks to increase fishing opportunities as well as develop and protect fish habitat.

State Park and Recreation Area Acquisition - 1995-97 biennium. This program allowed the Department of Natural Resources to acquire 27 additional acres of land for the Great River Bluffs (formerly O.L. Kipp) State Park.

Fisheries Acquisition for Angler Access and Habitat Development - 1993-95 biennium. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is buying easements along three miles of trout streams and three miles of warm-water streams to increase access for anglers and improve fish habitats. The DNR is also protecting critical fish habitats by purchasing 200 acres of land near those habitats. In Winona County, this grant allowed the acquisition of land along one-half mile of Money Creek along with 7.6 acres of easements and the acquisition of land along 2.5 miles of Pickwick Creek along with 40 acres of easements.

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. In Winona County, the Department of Natural Resources used this grant for habitat improvement on Pine Creek.

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. At Whitewater State Park, the grant was used for trail rehabilitation.

Erosion Control Cost-Share Grants - 1991-93 biennium. This Board of Water and Soil Resources’ program aids in the funding of conservation costs for soil erosion control and the protection of water quality.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1991-93 biennium and 1993-95 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 Winona County survey was completed during the 1993-95 biennium.

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