SFA-MN Discussion

[Mary Jo]

CRWP Overall Goal
“The Chippewa River Watershed Project seeks to improve water quality and flooding problems within the Chippewa River watershed while promoting a healthy agricultural, industrial, and recreation-based economy for the region.”

Ten-Year Goals

To achieve the highest level of water quality attainable for ecoregion streams
To increase the number of watershed residents taking an active role in enhancing and protecting the Chippewa River
To continue to have the watershed community of agencies and organizations bonded together as a group working toward the common goal of improved water quality
To develop the Chippewa River as a major recreational resource within the Minnesota River Basin
Currently there is four full-time staff on board with the project.

Kylene Olson, Executive Director, provides overall coordination for the project and pulls together an inclusive advisory committee of local, state, federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizens. She oversees all the financial activity of the project. She is responsible for applying for and administering any grant monies received.

Paul Wymar, Watershed Scientist, heads up all the monitoring activities for the Chippewa River Watershed Project. He’s kept busy collecting water quality and water quantity data, coordinating the large Citizen Monitoring Network and analyzing data. He works hard to collect credible data that can be transformed into usable information for making informed land use decisions.

Jennifer Hoffman, Watershed Specialist, concentrates on education campaigns and special projects throughout the watershed. She works hard on creating flyers, pamphlets, presentations and displays that easily convey the watershed message. She targets students and landowners alike.

Lucas Youngsma, Shakopee Creek Headwaters Project Coordinator, oversees all the activities of the first priority sub-basin. He is responsible for coordinating the partner committee, overseeing budgets, directing implementation activities, and collecting and analyzing water quality data.

Visit CRWP on the web at http://www.chippewariver.com
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Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

[glacialacres]

Here's some notes that I took from our meeting:

[Mary Jo]

CRWP's Annual meeting is March 3, 2006 in Glenwood. I am looking forward to attending! Check out the details at http://www.chippewariver.com/documents/AnnualMeeting06Flyer.pdf
For more information about CRWP, go to www.chippewariver.com
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Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

[Mary Jo]

For immediate release: Sept. 1, 2006 Contacts: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789
Muriel Runholt, 507-537-7137
Kylene Olson, 320-269-2139, ext. 116


Public Information Meeting Sept. 14 to Focus on Bacteria Pollution in Chippewa River

Willmar, Minn.  A public meeting will be held 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood to provide information about a report on fecal coliform bacteria pollution in portions of the Chippewa River.

Improper manure application to crop land contributes the largest fecal coliform loads to the Chippewa River, according to the report. Other sources include pastures and feedlots, wildlife, unsewered communities, stormwater, and failing individual sewage systems.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently completed the draft Chippewa River Fecal Coliform Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report. The 2006 list of impaired waters developed by the MPCA includes nine reaches, or sections, of the Chippewa River that fail to meet the standard for human contact due to excessive amounts of fecal coliform bacteria. The report also includes an additional section with data showing impairment.

The report will be available for public review, and written comments will be accepted from Oct. 9 through Nov. 7. Following approval of the report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), identified pollution sources will work with local authorities such as the Chippewa River Watershed Project to develop and implement clean-up plans. Ways to reduce loads may include preventing agricultural runoff, improving individual and community sewage treatment, and reducing urban storm water runoff.

“It’s time to take action,” says Kylene Olson, director of the Chippewa River Watershed Project. “Fecal matter does not belong in our waters. Now is our chance to choose the path for reducing fecal coliform bacteria and returning the Chippewa River to a swimmable state.”

The Chippewa River originates in northeast Douglas County and flows about 130 miles southwest to Montevideo where it enters the Minnesota River. Its watershed covers more that 1.3 million acres including most of Pope and Swift Counties, and portions of Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Stevens, Douglas, Grant and Otter Tail Counties.

The TMDL report is part of a nationwide effort under the federal Clean Water Act to identify and clean up pollution in streams, rivers and lakes. Every two years states are required to submit a list of impaired waters to the EPA. A TMDL study calculates the maximum amount of a pollutant a water body can receive (known as the “loading capacity”) without violating water quality standards. The TMDL process identifies all sources of pollutants causing impairments and allocates reductions necessary to meet the water quality standard.

For more information about TMDL report and the meeting, contact Kylene Olson at 320-269-2139 ext. 116, or Muriel Runholt at 507-537-7137. During the public comment period Oct. 9 through Nov. 7, written comments should be submitted to Muriel Runholt, MPCA, 1420 E. College Dr., Suite 900, Marshall, MN 56258, or by e-mail during that time period to muriel.runholt@pca.state.mn.us.

The draft TMDL report will be available on the Web during the public comment period at: www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html#drafttmdl. The Chippewa River Watershed Project Web site is located at: www.chippewariver.com/.

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Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota