Watershed Management Plan

Kickoff MeetingApril 7, 2011

Agenda7:00 pm Welcome and introductions

7:05pm HLWD planning overviewPlan update process

7:25 pm Stakeholder involvementWatershed problems

7:40 pm Public comment

8:30 pm Adjourn

HLWD Planning Overview M.S. 103D.401

◦Existing water and water-related problems◦Possible solutions◦General objectives

M.S. 103D.405 (each revised plan must include)◦Updates and supplements of the existing hydrological or other statistical watershed data

◦Specific projects and programs to be considered for implementation

◦A statement of the extent that the purposes for which the HLWD had been established have been accomplished

HLWD Planning Overview Cont’d◦A description of problems requiring future action

◦A summary of completed studies on active or planned projects, including financial data; and

◦An analysis of the effectiveness of the HLWD rules and permits in achieving water management objectives

HLWD Plan History◦Original Plan - October 1971◦1st Plan Update – September 2001◦2nd Plan Update – Draft to BWSR September 2011

Plan update process HLWD Board resolution Notice of decision to develop the Plan Plan outline submitted to BWSR Public Kickoff meeting HLWD Advisory Committee meeting(s) Goals and policies Develop draft Watershed Management Plan Plan review by state agencies and local government Notice public hearing and hold hearing if requested Incorporate agency, local government unit, and public final

comments BWSR Board approval HLWD Board approval

Board of Manager Resolution to Update 10 Year WMP

June 15, 2010

Notice of decision to develop a Plan and request for local plans & official controls:

July 9, 2010

Establish a local Advisory Committee

January 25, 2011

Develop a Plan outline and Submit to BWSR (10 yrs and

6 mo. from plan approval date) March 14, 2011

BWSR review of Plan Outline (within 60 days) March 17, 2011

Public information Plan Revision Kickoff Meeting

April 7, 2011

Advisory Committee should analyze information received and identify

Priority IssuesApril/May 2011

Revise Plan and meet with Advisory Committee as

needed April/May 2011

Develop Revised Draft Watershed Management

PlanMay 15, 2011

Send the revised WMP to BWSR, required State

review agencies and local governments May 15,

2011

Parties review the revised plan and make

recommendations to BWSR & WD (60 days)

BWSR provides Notice and if requested holds a Public Hearing (within 45 days)

July 15, 2011

WMP is reviewed by BWSR Regional Committed and

makes Recommendation to Board Early Sept. 2011

BWSR Board Approves Plan by Sept. 2011 Board

meeting

Heron Lake Watershed District Board of Managers Adopts Revised Plan Oct.

2011

Proposed Heron Lake WD Management Plan

10 Year Update Timeline

Date: April 7, 2011WMP= Watershed Management Plan

Stakeholder Involvement Kickoff Meeting HLWD Citizens Advisory Committee HLWD Board Meetings

HLWD Plan Focus Organized according to resources

◦Water quality◦Water quantity◦Drainage systems◦Biotic habitat◦Wetlands◦Flooding◦Education◦Funding

Goals and actions◦Specific items to address problems

Watershed Problems Bacteria Turbidity Phosphorus

Bacteria

Why do we care about bacteria? Waterborne pathogens E. coli

Bacteria in surface water Four sources

◦Livestock◦Humans◦Wildlife◦Pets

Where are the bacteria impairments?

Turbidity

Why do we care about turbidity? Turbidity is the cloudiness of water

◦Sediment◦Organic matter◦Algae

Affects the aquatic life in a stream◦Plants◦Fish◦Invertebrates

All connected, all affected

Turbidity in surface water Runoff

◦Fields◦Construction sites◦Highly erodible lands

Erosion◦Wind◦Gully◦Streambank◦Overgrazed pasture

Suspended organic matter◦Algae

Carp and rough fish

Where are the turbidity impairments?

Phosphorus

Why do we care about phosphorus? Excessive nutrients (phosphorus) lead to

increased algae blooms◦Reduces transparency◦Affects recreational value◦Affects aquatic life

All connected, all affected 1 pound of phosphorus can grow 500

pounds of algae!

Phosphorus in surface water Point sources

◦ Wastewater treatment facilities◦ Storm water◦ Livestock facilities greater than 1000

animal units Nonpoint sources

◦ Inadequate septics◦ Row cropland◦ Feedlots◦ Urban runoff◦ Rural runoff◦ Streambank erosion

Internal Loading◦ Wind◦ Carp

What’s being done to address bacteria, turbidity, and phosphorus?

General Operation Education Monitoring BMP Implementation Impaired Waters and TMDLs Flood Damage Reduction

General Operation Board of managers Staff Office space and equipment Vehicles and maintenance Operational expenses

Education Monthly newsletters Website Watershed tours Semi-annual workshops Field days Demonstration projects Youth education projects

Monitoring Three streams annually

◦25 samples per year Six lakes every three years

◦6 samples per year Determine if water quality improvement is occurring

BMP Implementation Critical area plantings Grassed waterways Terraces Filter strips Shoreline restoration Conservation tillage incentives

Impaired Waters & TMDLs TMDL Implementation Plan Water Quality Management Planning Grant

◦ Watershed Coordinator WF Des Moines River TMDL Implementation

Grant◦ Level III Feedlot Inventory◦ Watershed Coordinator

Flood Damage Reduction Wildlife ponds/sedimentation basins Wetland restoration Rain gardens Alternative tile intakes

Public input

State your name and your residence / agency

Questions and comments must: ◦Identify problems within the watershed◦Provide ideas for correcting problems◦Address items within HLWD statutory authority

Comments limited to 5 minutes for each speaker

Thank you!