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Overview of Minnesota's Clean Water Partnership Program |
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In 1986, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens Board passed a resolution urging the Minnesota Legislature to consider legislation authorizing the creation of a program called Clean Water Partnership. In 1987 the legislation was passed. The program focuses on controlling nonpoint sources of pollution through watershed management to protect and improve surface and ground water in Minnesota. The Clean Water Partnership Program provides financial assistance through matching grants, loans, and technical assistance to local units of government to lead pollution control projects. |
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Purpose and Project Summary |
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The Maple River Watershed Improvement Project, part of the Le Sueur River Watershed has a purpose to improve water quality in the sub watershed. By promoting the Best Management Practices (BMP) associated with the project and to increase the public's awareness about high pollutant loads that the Maple River and its watershed are contributing to the Le Sueur River that leads to the Minnesota River. |
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As the Maple River Watershed's population grows and diversifies, we hope the citizens of the watershed will support these BMP's to ensure; the environmental quality of the Maple River Watershed will improve and provide environmental benefits for generations to come. |
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In addition to the Phase 1 data (1996) showing the importance of the LeSueur River watershed, the State of the Minnesota River report, reports for monitoring years 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 higher pollutant loads coming from this Watershed. Ongoing work in both the Le Sueur and Blue Earth River Watersheds will be critical to the overall Greater Blue Earth River Basin, the Lower Minnesota River Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL), as well as efforts further downstream such as the Lake Pepin project. |
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Project History |
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The 1930's brought an increased awareness for soil and water conservation. Political leaders realized that only active, voluntary support from landowners would guarantee the success of conservation work on private lands. Soil and Water Conservation Districts were formed because of this to help local landowners effectively manage their lands. More recently clean water partnerships have focused on controlling nonpoint source pollution through watershed management to protect and improve surface and ground water. |
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The Phase I diagnostic study (conducted in 1996) of the Greater Blue Earth (GBE) River Watershed has historical value. Phase I depicted a detailed "snapshot" in time showing the Le Sueur River Watershed's water quality issues. It found that the Le Sueur River Watershed is a major contributor of sediment, phosphorous and nitrates to the Minnesota River Basin, compared to its other tributaries. |
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Local citizens with support from technical staff recognized specific features of the Lower Maple River watershed, which were important in its selection as a PMA. In June of 2002, the Lower Maple River Watershed was selected as a recipient of a program implementation grant from the MPCA's Clean Water Partnership. Local support continues to be committed for implementation, monitoring and educational activities in the entire Maple River Watershed. |
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As the Maple River group works together to develop a work plan that will soon be implemented, we would like to see other sub watersheds receive the funding needed to focus on their individual goals. As this funding has not been allocated to the Upper Maple River Watershed, during the Phase II Continuation Period, we would like the Upper Maple River Watershed area to be eligible for funds allocated in Phase II B. |
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Benthic Macroinvertebrate Study |
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Clean Water Partnership Programs |
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