Banking on the road bank program
“Not only does the program result in (a) huge amount of environmental benefit because the quality of all the wetlands is better — there’s also more acres of wetlands being created for the road offsets — but it saves the counties a lot of time and money.” — Carol Andrews, St. Louis County Public Works environmental engineer
Restoring the Wild Rice River
The Lower Wild Rice Corridor Habitat Restoration Program aims to restore the sinuosity of a 23-mile-long stretch of the Wild Rice River, which will more than double its length. The project is in the easement acquisition phase.
Bolstering buffers in Waseca County
With Riparian Protection Aid, the county and SWCD offer landowners 75% cost-share to implement conservation projects or practices within a half-mile from public waters or public ditches.
Restored wetland abates flooding, aids wildlife
A wetland restoration on a MN CREP easement in Freeborn County reduces pressure on the county ditch system while providing water storage and wildlife habitat. Partners include landowners, Freeborn County SWCD, BWSR, the Turtle Creek Watershed District, FSA and NRCS.