In order to implement voluntary agricultural programs, practices chosen for emphasis in the project must integrate with the farmer's production considerations. Otherwise, landowners will choose not to participate, or they may not maintain practices in a satisfactory manner. There are examples of other projects that have obtained high participation rates by offering a combination of practices that are highly acceptable to the farmer.

Local ordinance provisions for addressing agricultural non-point sources in a similar manner to urban and construction non-point sources may be necessary to implement certain best management practices where individual landowner acceptance is an issue.

Funds will be made available from existing programs through the Redwood River Clean Water Project, Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and individual Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s) offices to help eligible landowners implement best management practices (BMPs) in the designated priority management areas.

All recipients of incentive or cost share funds must first enter into an agreement with the FSA or appropriate county SWCD office. Cost containment for management practices will be maintained through utilization of NRCS guidelines.

Additional funds may be made available locally through a system of county property tax credits for landowner participation in implementing BMPs. The program would provide a per acre conservation tax credit for participating landowners. It is anticipated that enrollment in the program would require landowners to engage in a combination of BMPs as opposed to simply receiving a credit for individual practices. The conservation credit along with cost share agreements will be documented as part of a Water Quality Plan developed for participating landowners.

The basic issue which has emerged related to control of non-point source pollution on private land is that much of the result of control practices (e.g., improved water quality) does not always benefit the landowner but rather water users downstream. This has been the rationale for assisting private landowners in the implementation of non-point source (NPS) control practices through use of public funds such as cost share subsidies, or conservation or investment tax credits. In this manner, costs are presumably assessed against the beneficiaries.

In some cases, BMPs have sufficient on-site benefits so that landowners will choose to adopt them without financial incentives if technical assistance is provided. An example is conservation tillage systems that have been widely adopted without cost sharing.

Other practices such as animal waste storage and manure spreading may have on-site cost effectiveness over the long-term but require large up-front capital investment. In cases of this sort, financial incentives take on added importance. A practice such as improved fertilizer management, on the other hand, has been shown to be a very effective non-point source (NPS) nutrient control practice having fertilizer and monetary savings benefits which would encourage its adoption. Once this is understood, incentives for practices of this type are no longer necessary.

It is apparent therefore that use of financial incentives will vary depending upon the individual BMPs or combination of BMPs necessary to meet project goals and objectives. The relative importance of available incentive programs and new ones such as a conservation tax credit may also vary over time. For example, use of incentives is likely to be affected by changes in rates of landowner acceptance, and, more importantly, by changes in economic conditions which render incentives more or less attractive.

Eleven of the evaluated BMPs have been selected as the most appropriate practices for attaining project objectives and goals. Three considered of highest importance are conservation tillage, riparian buffer strips, and wetland restoration.

Wetlands are known to provide multiple benefits. In the Redwood River watershed, restored wetlands are particularly important because of their ability to moderate streamflow. The current hydrologic system in the watershed is extremely efficient in quickly responding to rainfall events, leading to rapid fluctuations in streamflow. Restored wetlands will help bring some stability to the system. The nearly complete loss of wetlands (>80%) in the watershed provides ample opportunity to restore a large number of drained basins.

The ability of wetlands to filter sediment and nutrients from runoff is well documented. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in sedimentation thereby enhancing fishery goals.

Restoration of 5,000 acres of wetlands in the watershed should be a reasonable objective to assist in achieving a 15% to 30% sediment loading reduction in the watershed.

Conservation Tillage

Soil erosion from cropland is a principal determinant of water quality in the watershed. Consequently, progressive implementation of conservation tillage practices resulting in 30% crop residue on 90% of the cropland located in the priority corridors by the 6th year of the implementation plan has been selected as a major objective. Tillage practices resulting in 30% or more crop residue have typically been found to reduce soil loss by 50% to 90%. Conservation tillage also offers protection to surface tile intakes resulting in decreased sediment discharges. In addition to general water quality improvement, sediment discharge reductions obtained through extensive conservation tillage practices also have important implications for fishery goals in the watershed.

With 105,215 acres having been established as cropland by land use category in the watershed corridors, even a 50% reduction in soil loss on 90% of the crop acreage would amount to a sizable reduction in the sediment and nutrient loading that occurs in selected areas.

Riparian Buffer Strips

Riparian zones in most portions of the watershed have been stripped of permanent vegetation. This has contributed to streambank erosion, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, and removed an important buffer for filtering sediment and nutrients from runoff.

Buffer strips have moderate costs to install and are easy to maintain with a long period of life expectancy. The effectiveness of buffer strips on 4% slopes has been reported to be a nearly 80% reduction in soil loss.

Nutrient management's effect on water quality is considered to be significant. Proper rates, placement, and timing of fertilizer application can reduce nitrogen and phosphorous losses from cropland by 50% to 90%. Nutrient management is considered the most practical means of reducing nonpoint sources of pollution from soluble forms of nutrients on farmland. High nitrate and phosphorus concentrations at most sampling stations points to the need for reducing loss of nutrients from croplands.

Agricultural Waste Management Systems

Several feedlots in the watershed are thought to discharge pollutants to tributaries and the main stem of the Redwood River. Agricultural waste management and runoff control systems are designed to prevent surface water pollution from nutrients and suspended solids. Pollutant reductions from 50% to 75% are expected with 100% reductions from fully contained systems.

Although agricultural waste management systems can be very effective, costs can be substantial. Implementation of these systems will require some design flexibility to reduce the amount of financial assistance necessary for construction.

Water and Sediment Control Basins

Water and sediment control basins are effective for preventing gully erosion, trapping sediment, and reducing downstream peak storm event flows. There are significant opportunities for practices of this type in the steeper Coteau region of the watershed. They are relatively inexpensive to construct and are capable of reducing suspended solids in runoff by 40% to 60%.

Multipurpose Dams/Impoundments

Multipurpose dams and impoundments can be very effective at reducing downstream flooding and soil erosion resulting from flows associated with storm events. A study of streams in the Coteau des Prairies region concluded that impoundments effectively reduce downstream sedimentation. Maximum and median suspended sediment concentrations, according to study findings, "were lower in outlet streams, and did not increase with increasing streamflow at the outlets. Maximum daily discharge of suspended sediments also were lower at outlets than at inlets."

Small dams/impoundments have the added benefit of providing opportunities for other uses such as recreation, livestock watering, irrigation and wildlife habitat. This is especially important in areas where few of these opportunities presently exist. Structures of this type have a long life expectancy (>50 years), but are costly to construct and generally require a lengthy planning process.

Terraces

Terraces are particularly effective at trapping sediment from eroding fields in upper portions of the watershed. They are well accepted by landowners in these areas and likely to be used in conjunction with other conservation practices.

Pasture Management/Livestock Exclusion

There are several pastured areas along the Redwood River in which concentrated livestock herds have severely affected the riverbank. Bank erosion in these areas is extensive and loss of protective vegetation in the riparian zone is nearly complete. Sound pasture management in these streambank areas will provide significant water quality benefits.

Tile Intake Buffers

Implementation of buffer areas or cover crops surrounding field tile intakes may not be a practical approach from the perspective of landowner acceptance unless a system of financial incentives is devised. Initially, promotion of conservation tillage and no till practices may be the most acceptable and cost effective solution to the problem resulting from tile intakes.

Nevertheless, through a system of demonstrations and experimentation with alternative techniques, methods can be devised to substantially reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients delivered through tile intakes.

Grassed Waterways

Grassed waterways effectively prevent gully erosion in areas of concentrated flow. They also act as a filter to remove sediment contained in runoff. It is estimated that grassed waterways reduce sediment losses by 60% to 80% from the flow area.

Project goals for the Redwood River and its tributaries have been selected to conform to results of the diagnostic study (1990-92) and subsequent research that indicates water quality in the river and lake is a function of watershed land use activities.

Essentially, there have been very few changes made to the basic core of the 1994 through 1997 work plan. Much more information is contained within this work plan, compared to the first though, because of progress made over the past three years. Information has been generated from several projects and activities that have been completed in the past years, such as opinion surveys of watershed residents, monitoring data and loading estimates, to name a few. This new work plan is a continuation of the plan that we began with three years ago. To maintain the much needed accuracy which is expected from a technical report like this, information was rechecked and additions were made to insure that everything we do is as accurate, and clear, as possible. The section on Program Elements was reorganized and modified to represent our present and future goals for the Redwood River Clean Water Project.

Objectives in support of project goals center on an aggressive, systematic program leading to the adoption of a wide range of agricultural best management practices within the watershed. Promotion and adoption of these practices will be secured through a combination of financial incentives, an outreach program, and staff support adequate to ensure success.

Primary objectives of the implementation plan are to:

1. Restore 5,000 acres of wetlands, placing primary emphasis on sites within the corridor of the Redwood River.
2. Create and maintain permanent buffer strips on all public watercourses including open ditches ranging in width from a minimum of one rod on public ditches to the maximum allowable on streams and rivers under guidelines of applicable land retirement programs (e.g., CRP, CREP, RIM)
3. Establish tillage practices resulting in 30% crop residue on 90% of the cropland within the priority management areas.

Secondary objectives include:

The project is organized around four program elements: best management practices; monitoring/evaluation; information/education; and administration.

The intent of this component is to provide adequate technical support to farmers to increase participation in cost-share or incentive programs. Initiating personal contact with farmers will be a central feature. Methods to achieve contact are to send out postcards, followed by telephone calls, and then personal on-site visits to interested parties.

This project emphasizes personal contact with farmers that is broadly classified as technical assistance. This assistance refers not only to help with designing structural BMPs such as waste management systems and waterways, but also to assistance in analyzing alternative practices and developing site based water quality plans. Technicians also play an important role in documenting watershed practices, identifying land practices in need of modification, and in just being available to answer questions about appropriate resource management programs and techniques. Technicians are responsible for taking the interest shown by farmers in soil and water resource protection and translating that interest into practices on the land that achieve water quality goals and objectives.

A watershed as large as the Redwood requires considerable time to be devoted to a clear delineation of specific areas where best management practices are to be applied. The level of detail needed goes beyond that contained in the diagnostic study of the watershed. Personal contacts must be made to assess such factors as tillage practices, fertilizer application rates, surface tile intakes, buffer strips, and livestock management procedures

Tracking System

This system is the means for documenting watershed accomplishments, also providing an indication of work yet to be completed and a schedule for future activities. Central features are: 1) landowner interview, 2) inventory information, 3) landowner contracts, and 4) status of cost-share agreements.

A consecutive transect survey will be conducted in the spring of each year to assess tillage practices.

Another component of the tracking system will consist of a fishery re-survey to evaluate changes in species diversity and habitat. This will be done in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to accomplish this task. The tentative date for the re-survey is 2000. Sites will correspond to those investigated during a 1991 and 1995 survey.

Water Quality Monitoring

The monitoring program will involve continuation of storm event sampling and water quality testing at the established monitoring sites representing selected areas. Included are Redwood River at RR1, Clear Creek at CC3, Three Mile Creek at TC4A, and Lake Redwood at LR 1. Refer to Map 2 for location of each sampling location.

Collection of five or six base flow samples during the period of time from May to September along with samples from up to two storm event flows equating to five year storm event flows at the river corridor monitoring sites will occur. The water analysis will be a continuation of the monitoring performed during the diagnostic study.

Laboratory testing parameters utilized for the monitoring plan will include total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorous (TP), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), and ammonia (NH4-N). Analysis at the Lake Redwood monitoring sites will consist of total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorous (TP), ortho phosphorous (Ortho P), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), and ammonia (NH4-N).

The Lake Redwood site will also be monitored for fecal coliform bacteria levels during the annual base flow sampling

Field testing parameters utilized for the monitoring plan will include dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, water temperature, and water level measurements. Additionally, secchi disk measurements will be obtained at the Lake Redwood monitoring sites.

Project Evaluation

The project will be evaluated in four ways. First, an ongoing water quality sampling program will allow comparisons of a before and after nature. Second, documentation of BMPs will be used as an indicator of progress toward numerical objectives contained in the plan. These will be summarized in annual reports. Third, fishery surveys will be conducted to provide biological indicators of water quality improvements. And, fourth, a re-survey of watershed residents at the end of three years will give an indication of the number of people engaged in the project and any shifts in attitude that have resulted. The combination of these four evaluation tools will give a fair appraisal of project success.

The watershed audience is made up of diverse people such as producers, business people, urban residents, children, educators, agency personnel, and elected officials. Although acknowledging diverse interests within the watershed, this project will focus on three broad groups: 1) producers, 2) elected officials, and 3) urban residents. The intent is to influence individual attitudes and behavior within each group so that people voluntarily begin taking actions to improve water quality.

Primary objectives are: 1) to provide residents in the watershed with knowledge of problems and solutions related to water quality; 2) to supply information about the priority watershed areas; 3) to educate landowners about practices that will result in reduced non-point source pollution; and 4) to informally teach management skills needed by landowners to implement soil and water conservation practices.

Although farmers are the central project participants, support from local elected officials, including county commissioners, soil and water conservation district supervisors, township officers, and city councilors is essential to the project. These representatives will be encouraged to make decisions and take actions leading to appropriate management of land and water resources. Use of a property tax credit will be promoted as will more aggressive use of zoning and public health authorities.

Urban residents can dramatically influence water quality through more judicious use of pesticides and fertilizers in lawncare. They also can improve stormwater runoff controls within their towns and cities.

Survey

An opinion survey of watershed residents was conducted at the onset of the project. A second survey was conducted in the spring of 1998, with a third being planned for 2001. These surveys will help determine citizen attitudes toward water quality and establish factors that motivate individual and group behavior. Results are also intended to shed light on shifts in attitudes and beliefs by watershed residents. The survey will be done in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Center for Survey and Research. The preferred method used to administer the questionnaire will be telephone interviews of a random sample of watershed residents.

Outreach

Outreach encompasses a broad spectrum of activities intended to improve communication of project goals and objectives to members of special interest groups and the general public within the watershed.

This element includes enlisting support of producer and commodity groups (e.g., corn, soybean, beef, pork, etc.) to establish continuing dialogue on ways to simultaneously protect water quality and enhance farming profitability. This interaction will form the basis for periodic workshops/seminars, lectures, and round table discussions on related issues.

Another element is that of establishing and carrying out a recognition program for watershed residents. Initially this will be in the form of providing residents and cooperators with some identifying token (e.g., hat or pin). This is designed to build watershed identity, project support, and develop advocates for the mission. An appreciation breakfast or supper for participants are another possible way for us to express our thanks.

Tours will be provided to give landowners and the public an opportunity to directly observe benefits of various program components. Tours to the University of Minnesota Experiment Station in Lamberton are great ways to highlight a variety of worthwhile programs within a small area. Other tours will also be used later in the project, however, to show comparisons between areas where BMPs are being implemented and those where they are not. Workshops and discussion series are designed to be personal encounters organized on a sub-watershed basis. They will provide opportunities for peer interaction and public input on a very local level. In a very real sense, they will be neighborhood meetings.

These materials will be used to promote participation in the watershed project. Subjects that are covered will be partially dictated by survey results showing those topics people are most interested in learning about.

A video about the project will be produced that will include all four KARE 11 broadcasts. A slide show and power point presentation are ready for use. They are in continual change, with additions and improvements being made as emphasis shifts to different aspects of the project and in response to changing audiences. News releases are used to emphasize activities that are coming up or that have recently taken place, and used to inform watershed residents about information that has been gathered.

Radio programming will play a major role in reaching local residents. Live coverage of events and activities will be used whenever possible.

A web page has been designed, and is available for viewing on the Internet. 

These are designed simply to provide current information on the project's status and to cover the variety of water quality concerns that can best be addressed by watershed residents themselves. Individual and group success stories will be highlighted.

Attention will be directed toward development of canoe access areas along the Redwood River and development of fisheries management programs. Other projects include establishment of native prairie plantings and creation of hiking, biking and nature trails in suitable locations within the watershed.

Evaluation

Each information/education activity and product will be evaluated to determine its worth and effectiveness. Participation rates of watershed residents, interest level in particular activity or event, money spent, and public response are some of the criteria that will be taken into consideration during the evaluation process.

The objective of the monitoring program is to track effects of Best Management Practices (BMPs) applied to agricultural lands in the Redwood River watershed.

Monitoring sites consist of two tributaries, one main stem, and one lake site consistent with those established during the preceding diagnostic study. The sites included are: RR1 on the Redwood River at county road 17 one mile southwest of Redwood Falls; CC3 at Clear Creek on county road 56 on the northeast corner of Seaforth; TC4A on Three Mile Creek on county road 67 one mile north of Green Valley; and LR 1 located on Lake Redwood. Refer to page 3 for a listing of past and current sampling locations, along with the exact locations. With the exception of Lake Redwood, which will be grab samples, water samples will be collected with ISCO automatic samplers (models 2700 and 3700). Each sampler will also have a model 1640 ISCO liquid level actuator attached. Hydrography will be recorded by TELOG liquid level pressure recorder models 2109/2109e.

Sample collection will include at least three base flow samples collected during the period of April through September along with samples from up to two storm events. Storm events are defined as occurring at the five-year frequency interval. Water samples will be collected by RCRCA staff and delivered to Magic Water Testing Lab in Redwood Falls immediately after collection.

Laboratory testing parameters for the monitoring plan will include: total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorous (TP), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), and ammonia (NH4-N) at the river, lake and tributary sites. Monthly samples from Lake Redwood will also be analyzed for fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus bacteria. All analyses will be done by Magic Water Testing Lab and will be done in accordance with methods outlined in their procedure manual (see Appendix A).

Field tests will include: dissolved oxygen, using a YSI model 55B Dissolved Oxygen/Temp Meter; conductivity, using a YSI model 33 portable conductivity meter; pH, using a Oakton pHtestr 2 portable pH meter; water temperature; and water level measurements at each site visit. Additional secchi disk readings will be conducted at the lake site. Current readings for tributaries will be taken using a Gurley pygmy rod suspended velocity meter. Periodic readings will be taken at each site with a reading at near zero flow and at high flow.

Tables 7 and 8 show when samples (monthly or storm events) are taken and what parameters are tested.

Note: Water level records for watershed monitoring sites is 24 hour, seven day per week stage recording during ice free months.

QA/QC

All Water Quality Technicians will be trained in use of the ISCO sampler and field equipment prior to the monitoring period. RCRCA personnel will cover education and use of field reports.

All laboratory tests done by Magic Water Testing Lab will follow the methods and procedures reported in their procedure manual.

Data processing procedures will follow the MPCA Quality Control Manual and be recorded on field analysis report forms. The data will then be transferred to stream and lake sampling sheets and mailed to MPCA for entry into STORET (see Appendix D). Statistical analysis will be computed by use of computer software selected by RCRCA staff and approved by the RCRCA board.

Discharge will be computed using the USGS Discharge Ratings at Gauging Stations Manual by E. J. Kennedy and current meter readings using the Gurley pygmy rod-supported current meter. These are used to plot the discharge curve, which is plotted on 10x10 log paper.

Loading estimates are derived through use of FLUX, an interactive program developed by the Corps of Engineers.

All data will be put into report and graph format and distributed accordingly.

Carrying out a successful implementation and work plan requires considerable cooperation among several agencies and organizations. During the course of preparing the implementation plan, representatives from all of the major participants were consulted and allowed to offer input on appropriate roles and responsibilities. Additionally, over the course of the project’s first three years, participants have met quarterly as members of the Redwood River Clean Water Project technical advisory committee. This committee has served to debate and refine several technical aspects of the project. What follows is a summary of the general responsibilities of each of the project participants.

Responsible for overall program administration and fiscal management. Responsibilities extend to supervision of technical staff and coordination of all program elements.

Counties will be responsible for ordinance adoption and enforcement and assisting with feedlot inventories. Counties will provide local project matching funds.

The NRCS will provide final BMP technical review through provision of a staff engineer. They will also assist with annual planning activities through participation on an inter-agency watershed team. Vehicles and other equipment will also be provided through the
NRCS.

The principal responsibility of FSA is working with the implementation team to secure BMP cost-share funds. Processing BMP applications enrolled in CRP, EQIP or CREP is another important responsibility of FSA.

The lake improvement association will assist with information and education activities. Working with the City of Redwood Falls, the association will take leadership in the preparation of a feasibility study for improvements to Lake Redwood.

They are an open coalition of city, farm, rural, lake residents, organizations, and state and federal agencies brought together to evaluate and address the needs and conditions of the Lake Benton watershed.

The integrated watershed management team of the DNR will be responsible for advising project staff on opportunities for watershed improvements. DNR staff will be part of the inter-agency planning team, and will assist in project evaluation activities.

Staff of MPCA will be part of the inter-agency team and will continue to offer guidance on project implementation.

Responsible for working with SWCD staff to ensure efficient completion of cost-share agreements. Staff will also participate on the inter-agency planning team.