BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES FEATURES WATERSHED IN "SNAPSHOTS"
The Shell Rock River Watershed District’s targeted Clean Water Fund work made a 245-acre Pheasants Forever-backed, USFWS-owned prairie and wetland habitat restoration possible. Click here to read the full story. Click here to watch a video regarding this project. Photo of the easement on the right courtesy of Shell Rock River WD.
WATERSHEDS IN THE NEWS
The following stories were spotted in the news that feature the work of Minnesota’s watershed organizations. Please forward your stories to us so we don’t miss any of them. Sharing our stories with one another is a great way to learn and expand our knowledge. We encourage you to call each other to learn more.
New playground, sport court at South Shore Park already a big hit with Detroit Lakes residents by Vicki Gerdes, DL-Online, June 16, 2022. The Pelican River WD assisted with this project. Photo of the playground on the left courtesy of DL-Online.
Across Minnesota, kids and their Canoemobile guides are taking it to the streams by Jane Turpin Moore, Star Tribune, June 17, 2022. Wilderness Inquiry program offers underserved populations a fun, user-friendly gateway to public lands and waterways via hands-on experiences in partnership with the Cedar River WD and Mower Soil and Water Conservation District.
A better way to treat stormwater by Andrew Weeks, Grand Forks Herald, June 16, 2022. Houston Engineering, Inc. and EPG Companies partnered with the Rice Creek WD for a project at Hansen Park in New Brighton to explore how to make treating stormwater more efficient at removing phosphorus and other components. Photo of wetland on the right courtesy of Houston Engineering, Inc.
Pond project could improve clarity on Lake Okabena by Kari Lucin, The Globe, June 10, 2022. As people gear up for the annual Worthington Windsurfing Regatta and Music Festival, it might be a good time to take a look at the lake playing host to it, as several people have remarked on Lake Okabena’s clarity to the Okabena-Ocheda WD (OOWD) Board of Managers recently. Photo of Lake Okabena on the left courtesy of The Globe.
Fountain Lake dredging project hitting financial snag by Alex Jirgens, KIMT3 News, June 14, 2022. Fountain Lake draws in tourists, boaters, and anglers from near and far year-round. But on the lake’s bottom, there all kinds of sediment that can kick start algae growth and it’s something the Shell Rock River WD is hoping to avoid. Be sure to click on the dredging link to watch the video!
Electrofishing targets carp for tagging and removal from Lake Okabena by Kari Lucen, The Globe June 28, 2022. The OOWD hired Carp Solutions, a University of Minnesota start-up company, in an effort to both determine how many carp live in Lake Okabena and then offer some potential solutions for decreasing that number. Photo on the right of electrofishing preparation courtesy of The Globe.
First Lake Sturgeon Spawning in Red River Basin in 100 years. From MPCA and DNR.
The first verified spawning of lake sturgeon in the Red River Basin in 100 years is happening this spring in the Otter Tail River Watershed. The decline and eventual extinction of sturgeon in the basin between 1880 and 1930 was due to several factors, including habitat fragmentation caused by the building of dams and other barriers to fish passage.
The Otter Tail River Watershed WRAPS report summary covers efforts to improve habitat for fish communities, including the removal of dams and other barriers. Four additional dam removal projects are proposed for the Pelican River subwatershed (including the dam next to Pelican Rapids’ iconic Pelican Pete) which would make the Pelican River free of any major fish barriers. Additional dam removal or modification projects are being considered to help restore connectivity along the Otter Tail River.
FROM BWSR'S GRANTS QUARTERLY: JUNE 2022
Clean Water Fund Competitive Grants Request for Proposals (RFP) Open
The FY23 CWF RFP opened on June 27 and will close at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 22. The RFP, policy, FAQs, and other supporting documents can be found here.
FY23 Updates to the Grants Administration Manual
The Grants Administration establishes administrative and programmatic requirements for all grants administered by BWSR. Several updates have been made to the manual for FY2023. More information can be found here.
MORE NEWS ABOUT WATER IN MINNESOTA
New! Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Dashboard
In a June 7 news release, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced a dashboard showing PFAS monitoring results for drinking water. Minnesota residents who get their drinking water from a community public water system can find out if their system’s water has any level of PFAS through an interactive online dashboard. PFAS have been found in the groundwater and surface water in Minnesota. They are emerging contaminants about which the MDH has a new awareness and understanding.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
Heading into the summer recreation season, the MDNR is rolling out a new online pledge to help prevent the spread of AIS. More information is available on the MDNR website. Photo courtesy of MDNR.
Minnesota River Congress
State and regional conservation organization leaders met at the 14th annual Minnesota River Congress on June 15. Read about this event in Conservation officials tout benefits of water storage by Fritz Busch, The Journal, June 27, 2022. Photo of BWSR Executive Director Jaschke courtesy of The Journal.
MAWD BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
MAWD Finance Committee. The Finance Committee met on June 1. MAWD staff generated ideas and developed scenarios for the committee’s consideration. Following extensive discussion, the committee unanimously recommended recommend a four-tiered dues structure for 2023: 103B metro watershed member (EMV > $10B), dues = $12,500; 103B metro watershed member (EMV < $10B), dues = $7,500; rural member with additional tax revenue options, dues = $7,500; and rural member without additional tax revenue options, dues = $5,000. The committee was also comfortable with the MAWD Board reviewing the dues annually and adjusting them as needed. Meeting notes can be foundhere.
MAWD Strategic Plan Committee. The Strategic Plan Committee met on June 14. The first plan draft was reviewed. The committee provided good feedback and great recommendations. Staff will incorporate the recommendations and provide a second draft for the committee’s consideration at their meeting on July 12. Meeting notes can be found here.
MAWD Board of Directors. The MAWD Board met on June 20. Updates were given by Acting President Vavra and Executive Director (ED) Javens. Finance and Strategic Plan reports were given. Partner reports were received from the Minnesota Association of Watershed Administrators, BWSR, and CWC.
Actions taken. Jeff Gertgen, Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District, was appointed to fill the vacant Region II position on the MAWD Board. A dues structure for 2023 was adopted. The Administrative Services contract was extended through December 31. ED Javens was authorized to issue a request for proposals for a lobbyist and auditor in the timeframe most advantageous in consultation with the president, acting president, and the respective committee chairs.
July Meeting Calendar. The following meetings are scheduled in July. See the MAWD calendar for meeting details as soon as they become available.
July 7: Summer Tour Planning
July 12: Strategic Plan Committee
July 14: Drainage Work Group
July 18: CWC
July 20: Region 1 MAWD/MAWA
July 25: MAWD Board (tentative)
EMPLOYMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Watershed Job Openings. Do not forget that MAWD will post job openings for members on its website and promote them on social media. It is one of our most popular pages so email Maddy at mnwatershed@gmail.com to get yours listed today.
Here's the updated list:
MAWD Board members are available to connect with you at one of your future board meetings. They also welcome the opportunity to meet with you one-on-one to hear about your successes and areas where MAWD could be of assistance. Contact information is on our website.
To contact Executive Director Emily Javens, please call or text (320) 979-0084 or email emily@mnwatershed.org.
We enjoy working with MAWD members and greatly appreciate your support!
District’s targeted Clean Water Fund work made a 245-acre Pheasants Forever-backed, USFWS-owned prairie and wetland habitat restoration possible. Click 
The following stories were spotted in the news that feature the work of Minnesota’s watershed organizations. Please forward your stories to us so we don’t miss any of them. Sharing our stories with one another is a great way to learn and expand our knowledge. We encourage you to call each other to learn more.
The Otter Tail River Watershed 
MAWD Strategic Plan Committee. The Strategic Plan Committee met on June 14. The first plan draft was reviewed. The committee provided good feedback and great recommendations. Staff will incorporate the recommendations and provide a second draft for the committee’s consideration at their meeting on July 12. Meeting notes can be found 
