Bridging the Gap

Est. 1952
www.LakeoftheWoodsSWCD.org
Bridging the Gap
Your link to natural resource topics affecting Lake of the Woods County.
Inside this issue...
Winter 2013
Volume 8, Issue 1
Upcoming Events
Agriculture Drainage Workshop
page 1
Olson Stock Farm recognized
page 2
Rain Gauge Volunteers needed
page 3
MN Ag Water Quality Program
page 3
Resorts help “Keep It Clean”
page 3
Funding available for septic upgrades
page 7
There’s just not enough room in our
newsletter to cover it all.
Office Open House—March 7th, 1:00-3:00 pm
Come visit us at our new space, meet the staff and
learn about our programs. Tree order forms will
be available.
Improving your Agricultural Drainage workshop,
March 21st
Landowners sometimes think of drainage
improvements as taboo. In reality, they are often
necessary and allowed under current
regulations...given that the proper steps are taken.
At this session, we’ll review these steps. We’ll
also demonstrate the new local flowchart being
developed to help both landowners and regulatory
agencies through the process.
Bostic Zippel Bus Tour, first week in April
Come along on a ride with us for a discussion of
the Bostic and Zippel Watershed Assessment. We
will be reviewing the results of the assessment and
looking for feedback and support on future efforts.
Read more about it on our website...
www.LakeoftheWoodsSWCD.org
~ Lake of the Woods Shoreline Erosion Study
results
~ Bostic and Zippel Comprehensive Watershed
Assessment Report
~ Planning for Lake of the Woods Major Watershed
Protection Projects
Tree Distribution Week, last week in April
Time to pick up your tree orders! Postcards will
be mailed to all who have pre-ordered. Remaining
stock will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.
Well Testing Clinic, September
Our reduced cost well testing clinic will be held in
early September. Watch local papers for details.
District Supervisors
Krause Recognized for 20 Years of Service
John Sonstegard, District I
Chairman
Roger Krause, District IV
Vice-chair
Russel Hansen, District II
Treasurer
Vacant, District III
Secretary
Scott Pieper, District V
Public Relations
Roger Krause was recently honored for 20 years of
service on the Soil and Water Conservation District
board.
Krause represents Lake of the Woods County District
3 (area east of Williams, including Bostic and
Wabanica bays) . He also serves on the County
Committee for the Farm Service Agency.
District Employees
Josh Stromlund,
County L&WP and
SWCD Director
Mike Hirst,
Resource Technician
Corryn Trask,
Resource Technician
Becky Buegler,
Office Assistant
USDA Natural Resource
Conservation Service
Partners
Kelly (Voigt) Elijio,
District Conservationist
Jane Hafvenstein,
Conservation Technician
Gretchen Levasseur
Administrative Assistant
Mission Statement
"The purpose of the District is
to provide for the adoption of
sound water quality, proper
land use, and soil conservation
practices on all lands in the
District, to assist with the development of a prosperous
agricultural economy, and to
foster other community development for the general welfare
and security of the people of
the District."
EEO—All programs of the
Lake of the Woods Soil and
Water Conservation District,
USDA, and NRCS are offered
on a non-discriminatory basis
without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex,
age, marital status or handicap.
2012 Outstanding Conservationist ~Olson Stock Farm~
Tom and Erin Olson of the Olson Stock
Farm in Williams have been nominated as
Lake of the Woods County’s 2012
Outstanding Conservationists. This award
goes to farmers, teachers, and landowners
who have made outstanding contributions
towards improving Minnesota’s natural
resources. The Outstanding
Conservationist Award is given by Soil
and Water Conservation Districts
throughout Minnesota. Each recipient is
honored at the MN Association of
SWCD’s Annual Convention.
The Olsons operate a family farm which
was started in 1918 and is now farmed by
the 4th generation. Production includes a
250 cow/calf operation along with small
grains and hay.
Tom has avidly worked at pasture
improvement and management by
installing a rotational grazing system.
With this system, cattle are moved from
pasture to pasture and are not allowed to
over-graze. He has helped to educate
other farmers about the advantages of
rotational grazing by hosting grazing
workshops and tours. He is also working
with NRCS to improve forage production
through his various research plots.
Tom practices nutrient management by
using manure as a fertilizer and
implementing techniques to encourage
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The Olsons have been nominated as the 2012
Outstanding Conservationists in Lake of the
Woods County.
winter feeding on pasture. Rather than
stockpiling the manure, it’s incorporated
back into the soil. He is also protecting
water quality by installing watering tanks
rather than allowing his livestock access
to surface water.
In addition to their cattle operation, Erin’s
also taking advantage of country living by
utilizing locally grown flowers for her
floral business, “Flowers for You”.
The Olsons farming practices are good
examples of making the land work for
generations to come.
Watershed Updates– what’s happening in your watershed?
Up and Coming Ag Program...
Watershed
The Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification
Program
"that area of land, a bounded hydrologic system,
within which all living things are inextricably
linked by their common watercourse and where, as
humans settled, simple logic demanded that they
become part of a community."
Update from our previous newsletter article titled
“Trash Talk”...
The MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program is
designed to accelerate voluntary adoption of agricultural
practices that enhance water quality. It is the product of a
state-federal partnership that includes the Department of
Agriculture, the MN Pollution Control Agency, the MN
Board of Water and Soil Resources, the MN Department
of Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service
(NRCS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The “Keep It Clean”
Program is underway!
The first step of the program was a Memorandum of
Understanding signed on January 17, 2012, by Minnesota
Governor Dayton, U.S. Ag Secretary Vilsack, and EPA
John Wesley Powell (1843-1902)
Continued on page 4.....local implications
This goal of this project is to promote stewardship of one
of our County’s greatest resources, Lake of the Woods,
by addressing one of the simplest to prevent and most
tangible forms of water pollution...trash. The task
force is working to create awareness to reduce the amount
of trash left on the ice during the winter fishing season.
They are also trying to provide an alternative to just
leaving trash on the ice.
We are looking for people to join our Volunteer Rain
Gauge Network. Minimum observation dates are from
April-September, although we welcome data throughout
the year. Datasheets are turned in monthly and sent to the
State Climatology Office.
Resorts are an important part of this effort, because they
provide access for winter ice fishing enthusiasts. To
enlist the help of the resorts, they’ve been asked to
participate on any level, from hosting dumpsters to
providing promotional items.
Interested parties should be able to record rainfall on a
daily basis. We supply the rain gauge and data sheets.
Rain gauge volunteers
are needed in these
townships...
2013 Dumpster Host Locations
The following resorts have
agreed to host dumpsters for
collecting lake trash.
Wheeler,
Myhre,
McDougald,
Wabanica,
Potamo,
Walhalla,
Spooner,
Gudrid,
Rulien,
Boone,
Rapid River, and the
NW Angle
Adrian’s Resort
Cyrus Resort
Swift Ditch Access
Zippel Bay Resort
These resorts are assisting with promotions:
**Bay View **Long Point **Morris Point
Arnesen’s, Babblers, Border View, Springsteel, Steve Sweet
** = handing out promo items in addition to signs posted
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= Current observers
Continued from page 3.....Ag Water Quality Program
Administrator Jackson. The program has been under
development and pilot projects will soon be implemented.
For Minnesota’s farmers, participation in the program
will mean formal recognition for their investment in and
maintenance of the conservation practices. It will also give
them greater regulatory and cost stability over the period
of their certification, which will help with their business
planning.
The general concept is that farmers who implement and
maintain approved conservation plans will be assured that
their operations meet water quality goals and standards. So
long as the participating farmers meet program
obligations, they will not be required to implement
additional water-quality practices for the duration of
their certification. Conservation plans for participating
farms would be developed with consideration given to the
unique characteristics of the farm, present farming
practices, the surrounding watershed, and the entire region.
This program may have local implications, but we
don’t fully know how it will all play out. The water
quality of Lake of the Woods is being closely watched.
Excess nutrients, creating potentially toxic algae blooms,
are a big concern. In time, local farmers may be asked to
step up efforts to limit topsoil and fertilizer losses from
fields within the watershed. Having an approved
conservation plan would ensure farmers and regulatory
agencies that appropriate steps are being followed, and
that no further efforts are warranted.
For Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams, this program
will mean cleaner water faster through the acceleration of
voluntary adoption of on-farm conservation practices. The
program will provide a clearer picture of which practices
are being implemented in which locations, offering greater
accountability and
transparency within
watersheds.
If you would like to follow this program, you can visit
www.mda.state.mn.us/en/protecting/waterprotection/
awqcprogram.aspx
Changes Around the Office
SWCD hires part-time Office Assistant
We’ve got new office
space!
Becky Buegler was hired on in April 2012 to assist with
operations of the SWCD. Her main duties include
tracking finances for grants and contracts, and assisting
with programs such as the rain gauge program, well
testing clinic, the tree program and various educational
efforts.
The SWCD and
NRCS staff have
now moved into the
office space once
filled by FSA. Join
us for our upcoming
open house and
come check out our
new space.
Gretchen Levasseur to assist NRCS
Gretchen Levasseur has been hired on in the NRCS office
through a part-time office assistant program. She will
provide administrative support for the EQIP and CSP
programs.
Nelson steps down as
SWCD Supervisor for District III
Farm Service Agency reduces local office hours and says
goodbye to long-time staff
Chairman Marshall Nelson has stepped down from his
duties as SWCD supervisor. Nelson was an active
Supervisor, serving on the Water Plan Committee, Ditch
Committee and attending planning meetings and the
annual Lake of the Woods Water Quality Forum.
Nelson’s service and commitment to the SWCD will be
missed.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) of Baudette is now down
to only one day per week. All three long time FSA staff
have retired, and due to budget cutbacks, the office was
relocated to Roseau. The Baudette FSA Office is now
covered by Roseau staff and open on Thursdays by
appointment.
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Office Use
2013 Tree Order Form
Paid in full? ________
Lake of the Woods Soil & Water Conservation District
Date______________
PO Box 217 Baudette, MN 56623 * (218) 634-1842 x3 * www.lakeofthewoodsswcd.org
Special Order-______
Name
Date
(Please Print)
Mailing Address
Daytime Phone
Species
Combo
Size
Quantity
Price/Bundle
various
25/bundle
$30.00
# of Bundles
Subtotal
Wildlife Shrub Combo
A mix of dogwood, chokecherry,
plum, chokeberry,and cranberry
$
Shrubs
Deciduous
Conifers
Black Chokeberry
Crabapple, Red Splendor
Common Chokecherry
Cranberry, Highbush
18-24"
2-3 ft
18-24"
12-18”
25/bundle
25/bundle
25/bundle
25/bundle
$31.00
$26.00
$26.00
$31.00
$
$
$
$
Dogwood, Redosier
18-24"
25/bundle
$26.00
$
Juneberry (serviceberry)
Plum, American
12-18"
12-18"
25/bundle
25/bundle
$28.00
$25.00
$
$
Hackberry
Maple, Silver
18-24”
18-24”
25/bundle
25/bundle
$28.00
$26.00
$
$
10 cu. in. plug
25/bundle
$23.00
$
6-12" plugs
6-12"
18-24"
7-15" plugs
6-12” plugs
12-18"
25/bundle
25/bundle
25/bundle
25/bundle
25/bundle
25/bundle
$23.00
$20.00
$32.00
$18.00
$15.00
$25.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
28 cu. in. plug
10/bundle
$18.00
$
Oak, Bur (plugs)
Tamarack (plugs)
Pine, Jack
Pine, Norway (transplants)
Pine, White (plugs)
Spruce, Norway (plugs)
Spruce, White (transplants)
Spruce, White (plugs)
*Good choice for difficult sites.
Tree Care Items
Large Fluorescent Pin Flags - perfect for marking your trees to avoid mower accidents
Bundle of 25 flags
$5.00
$
Bundle of 100 flags
$15.00
$
Plantskydd Animal Repellant - Organic animal repellant. Lasts up to 6 months. Prices good until stock is sold out.
1 lb Granular Shaker (treats 600 sq ft)
$10.00
$
$22.00
$
1 qt. RTU Spray Bottle (treats 100 plants)
l lb Powder Concentrate (treats 300-400 plants)
$25.00
$
22 lb. Bulk Concentrate (treats 4000-6000 plants)
$300.00
$
10% Discount on orders > 500 = ____
Tax and Shipping Included in Price
Make checks payable to Lake of the Woods SWCD
Payment in full required at time of order unless other arrangements have
been made.
Additional delivery information, terms and conditions on reverse.
Total Cost
$
Tree Delivery: Pickup in Baudette in late April or early May. You will be notified two weeks in advance of exact pickup
time, dates and location. Arrangements for cold, long-term storage must be made in advance.
Quantities are limited, orders accepted until stock is depleted. No special orders after March 15th.
Refunds only if desired trees are unavailable. Size may vary depending on nursery availability.
The SWCD is not responsible for tree survival or replacement. No cancellations after February 15th.
Due to the perishable nature of tree seedlings, we cannot guarantee survivability or replacement. Tree seedlings must be kept
in a cool, moist environment until planted.
Plantskydd Specifications: 100% organic plant protection. Applied in spring and/or fall, when browsing is at its worst. Rainfast for 6
months.
Granular shaker—good for vegetable or flower gardens., use for rodent problems, acts as fertilizer as well.
Ready to Use 1 Quart Spray—treats 100, 1-foot tall plants. Premixed in spray bottle for your convenience.
Powder Concentrate 1 Pound Box—treats up to 300, 1-foot tall plants. Cost effective. Requires mixing and sprayer.
Tree Specifications
Shrubs
Soils
Moisture
Growth
Spacing
sand-clay
sandy loamCrabapple, Red Splendor clay loam
sandy loamChokecherry, Common silty clay
Dry-wet
Slow
3-8 x 10
dry-wet
fast
3-8 x 12
dry-wet
fast
3-8 x 12
Dogwood, Redosier
sand-clay
moist-wet
fast
3-8 x 10
Juneberry (Regent)
dry-wet
moderate 3-8 x 10
moist-wet
moderate 3-8 x 10
flowering, berries edible
Plum, American
sand-silt
sandy loamclay
sandy loamsilty clay
white berries, pretty red bark in the winter, can be pruned
low wet areas, spring flowers, 6 feet top height, berries edible
dry-wet
moderate 3-8 x 12
white flowers, creates thickets, great for jams
Deciduous Trees
Soils
Moisture
Growth
Spacing
Comments
Hackberry
dry-wet
fast
Similar look to elms, good city tree, found in pockets of
8-20 x 16 LOW county
Maple, Silver
sand-clay
sandy loamsilty clay
moist-wet
fast
8-20 x 16 large, flood tolerant tree, fast growth
Oak, Bur
sand-clay
dry-wet
slow
sturdy, long lasting tree, good for wildlife, will tolerate wet8-20 x 16 ter site conditions
Coniferous Trees
Soils
Moisture
Growth
Spacing
Tamarack (Larch)
sand-clay
sand-sandy
loam
dry-wet
fast
6-10 x 16 beautiful fall color, fast grower and long lived
dry-moist
fast
6-10 x 16 use in shelterbelts and reforestation and on dry sites
fast
Pine, White
sand-silty clay dry-wet
loamy sandclay loam
dry-wet
8-16 x 20 salt spray intolerant, excellent timber value
excellent timber tree, soft needles, deer browse protection is
8-16 x 20 a must, beautiful tree that’s worth the effort
Spruce, Norway
sandy loamclay
dry-wet
Spruce, White
loam-clay
moist-wet
Largest and fastest growing spruce, non-native, non-invasive,
8-16 x 20 up to 100 feet tall, water table 24” or greater
good windbreak tree, suits many sites, water table 12” or
moderate 8-16 x 20 greater
Chokeberry, Black
Cranberry, Highbush
Pine, Jack
Pine, Red (Norway)
fast
fast
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Comments
Edible berries, white flowers, low growing shrub, MN top 10
shrubs, 3-6 feet in height, sun-partial sun
beautiful pink spring flower, fruit persists all winter
edible berries, white flowers, shade tolerant, grows fast and
tall
Comments
Septic System Problems? We have solutions!
If you are experiencing problems or you know that your
septic systems discharges to a ditch, ravine, or is
surfacing on top of the ground and you have limited
means to fix the problem, this may be your opportunity to
resolve these issues.
additional information in regards to this grant
opportunity. All inquiries are confidential.
If you don’t qualify for the low income thresholds, there
still is an opportunity for you to upgrade existing septic
systems through the AgBMP loan program. The SWCD
Once again, Lake of the Woods County was successful in initiated this successful program with the assistance of
applying for and receiving grant funds to assist low
Border State Bank several years ago. This
income individuals with upgrading existing failing or
loan program provides for a low interest loan
imminent threats to public health systems. These grant
of 3% (plus origination fees).
funds are appropriated by the Legislature from the Clean
If you are interested, please contact Corryn
Water, Land and Legacy Constitutional Amendment that
Trask, Lake of the Woods SWCD at 634was passed by the citizens of Minnesota in 2008.
1842 ext #3 for additional information in
If you are interested, please contact Josh Stromlund,
regards to this loan opportunity.
Land and Water Planning Office at 634-1945 for
Keep the Sediment OUT of the Ditches
A recent study of Bostic and Zippel watershed found
that 40 to 60 percent of the sediment finding its way to
these bays on Lake of the Woods is from agricultural
fields. Sediment is slowly filling in the bays, reducing
the navigability of the waters and also reducing spawning
habitat.
Kelly Elijio, NRCS
Please consider these simple ways to help keep
sediment from leaving your agricultural fields:
Leave 2 to 5 feet of grass between your field and
county road ditches or other drainage ditches
when completing tillage operations. This minimal
amount of grass will slow water down enough to
drop the sediment out before it leaves the field.
The need to reduce the amount of sediment reaching our
surface waters is not just limited to Bostic and Zippel
Bays, it is also an important issue throughout the county.
Sediment carries nutrients, predominantly phosphorous,
with it, contributing to algae blooms and excessive plant
growth in the bays and lake.
Leave crop stubble and crop residues in your
shallow field drainages when completing fall
tillage. The stubble and residues will help to keep
the sediment within your field drainage and keep
the sediment out of the road and drainage ditches
when spring runoff occurs.
Our light soils are most susceptible to ephemeral (springtime) gullies. These gullies are easily repaired with tillage.
Leave as much residue as possible on your fields
over the winter. Again, the residues help to keep
your healthy, productive topsoil in your field and
keep it from running off with spring snow melt.
Plant a fall seeded cover crop. Cover crops promote
healthy soil microorganisms, can suppress some
weeds, may recover any excess nutrients present,
AND minimize erosion from spring runoff.
Install a side water inlet or rock chute. A side water
inlet is basically a culvert that carries the water
from the level of the field to the ditch bottom.
They can help reduce the occurrence of gullies and
washouts. Funding and engineering assistance is
available for the installation of side water inlets.
A gully like the one pictured can contribute 4 pounds
of phosphorus per year.
That’s enough to grow nearly 2,000 pounds of algae!
7
www.lakeofthewoodsswcd.org
PO Box 217, 119 1st Ave NW
Baudette, MN 56623
218-634-1842 ext. 3
218-634-1726 (fax)
Funding Assistance Available
If you have a conservationbased project in mind, but aren’t sure how to
make it happen, we can help!
Inside this issue...
Shoreline stabilization
Rain Gardens
Tree planting
Windbreaks
Forest Management Plans
Weed control
Buckthorn removal
Septic system upgrades
Equipment purchases that can be linked to water
quality protection (low interest loans only)
~Farm implements
~Manure management
~Forestry
Cattle crossings (must include riverbank protection)
2013 Tree Seedling
Order Forms
Order soon, before our stock is
depleted!
Stop by and let us know
what we can do for you!
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