Watershed Management Plan Citizens Advisory Committee April 18, 2011

Agenda 9:00 am Welcome and introductions 9:05am Review Kickoff meeting minutes 9:15 am Review information regarding past programs and actions 9:30 am Identify priority issues and concerns 10:30 am Adjourn

Watershed Problems Bacteria Turbidity Phosphorus

Bacteria in surface water Four sources Livestock Humans Wildlife Pets oncompliant septic systems and unsewered communities can be part of the problem. Environmental offices estimated that 66% of the septic systems in the watershed are noncompliant. Wastewater treatment plants can be another source. Stormwater runoff is often forgotten or minimized when thinking about bacteria, but runoff from streets can also contain bacteria from pets, birds, and humans. Wildlife is also a contributor, but usually their numbers are limited and seasonal. Management practices of livestock and manure usually is a significant portion to the bacteria loading. In most watersheds, there tends to be more livestock than pets, wildlife, and humans combined.

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

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

Kickoff meeting filter strips streambank erosion drainage flood storage residue management phosphorus in Heron Lake open tile intakes

General Operation Board of managers Staff Office space and equipment Vehicles and maintenance Operational expenses The general operating levy provides funds for manager and staff wages, benefits, and operational expenses.

Education Monthly newsletters Website Watershed tours Semi-annual workshops Field days Demonstration projects Youth education projects The HLWD provides the public with opportunities to learn about watershed problems and ways to address those problems.

Monitoring Three streams annually Six lakes every three years 25 samples per year Six lakes every three years 6 samples per year Determine if water quality improvement is occurring Monitoring is a integral part of our activities. It is the most effective way to measure outcomes and changes. Annually we monitoring three streams – the Heron Lake outlet and Jack and Okabena Creek, which are the two inlets to Heron Lake. They are sampled 25 times from April – October. Every three years monthly samples are collected on Heron Lake, Fulda Lake, and Graham Lakes. CLICK Analysis of the 2008 stream data indicates concentrations at each site decreased. This shows an improvement in water quality. A trend toward improved water quality can be seen since 2000.

BMP Implementation Critical area plantings Grassed waterways Terraces Filter strips Shoreline restoration Conservation tillage incentives Through grant and general operating funds, the HLWD provides cost-share and incentive programs for installing practices that help to improve water quality.

Impaired Waters & TMDLs TMDL Implementation Plan Water Quality Management Planning Grant Watershed Coordinator WF Des Moines River TMDL Implementation Grant Level III Feedlot Inventory Through grant and general operating funds, the HLWD provides funding for grant application efforts to fund actions identified in the TMDL Implementation Plan.

Flood Damage Reduction Wildlife ponds/sedimentation basins Wetland restoration Rain gardens Alternative tile intakes Through grant and general operating funds, the HLWD provides cost-share and incentive programs for installing practices that help to reduce flooding.

HLWD Plan Focus Organized according to resources Goals and actions Water quality Water quantity Drainage systems Biotic habitat Wetlands Flooding Education Funding Goals and actions Specific items to address problems

Priority issues and concerns 1.

Priority issues and concerns

Public information Plan Revision Kickoff Meeting April 7, 2011 Proposed Heron Lake WD Management Plan 10 Year Update Timeline 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 Issues April/May 2011 Revise Plan and meet with Advisory Committee as needed April/May 2011 Develop Revised Draft Watershed Management Plan May 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 WMP= Watershed Management Plan Date: April 7, 2011

Thank you!