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Bus and Boat Tour Invitation

Volunteers Needed for Spring Lake Cleanup August 28

Watershed Management: Mississippi Makeover Project


Mississippi Makeover
Project Fact Sheet

The ultimate goal of the Mississippi Makeover Project is a healthy and protected ecosystem that attracts abundant wildlife, becomes a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, and provides economic benefits to local communities in the areas of Spring Lake, the Lower Vermillion River and Pool 3 of the Mississippi River. To accomplish this, the Project engaged local citizens in visioning and planning for ecosystem restoration in this area. A Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) was formed that includes elected officials, citizens, non-governmental organizations, agencies, industry, and commerce. Thus far, the CAG has had three meetings (see below for links to their agendas, minutes, and presentations). At their meeting on August 18, 2009, the CAG finalized and recommended a series of targets or goals for ecological restoration in this area using indicators such as water clarity, aquatic vegetation, sedimentation, invertebrates, fish and waterfowl. Please see the "Indicator Targets" document provided in this link.

Indicator Targets
The Mississippi Makeover Project is a smaller part of the Total Maximum Daily Load Studies for Lake Pepin and the Lower Vermillion River and it aims to bridge multiple projects and priorities of agencies that have responsibility to protect and improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities in this area. It will result in congruent and complimentary project goals among local stakeholders and agencies.

This Project is being coordinated by the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District in cooperation with Dakota County, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Citizen Advisory Group

 6/1/2010   Water bird Survey Press Release   Water bird Survey Fact Sheet

 01/28/2010   Open House Flyer   Press Release   
Presentations: Flint Hills Resources Open House
Press: South Washington County Bulletin
Red Wing Republican Eagle
Hastings Star Gazette 1
Hastings Star Gazette 2






 12/01/2009   Agenda   Minutes   
Presentations: Spring Lake Clean Up
New Carter Slough
Bullfrog Pond Project
Island Planning Details
Drawdown Potential in Mississippi





 08/18/2009   Agenda   Minutes   
Presentations: Final Indicators
ACOE Projects
MDNR Projects
WDNR Projects




 04/22/2009   Agenda   Minutes   
Presentations: Indicator Metrics
Update and Historical Accounts
Fact Sheets: Fish
Invertebrates
Sedimentation
Vegetation
Water Clarity





 02/17/2009   Background Information
Presentations: Bullfrog Pond History
Spring Lake History
Vermillion River Sloughs



 12/09/2008   Agenda   Minutes
Presentations: Overview
Lake Pepin
Water Quality




Mississippi Makeover Map

Links:

Clean Water Legacy Program (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance

Lake Pepin Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load Eutrophication and Turbidity Impairments (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)

Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (US Army Corps of Engineers)