Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program

Lake County SWCD Program Implementation /

Capacity Building
Wayne Seidel
Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District
July 17, 2008

Project No. 310-01-07

Contract No. B03579

This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA’s
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota’s
Lake Superior Coastal Program.
Introduction
The Lake County SWCD requested $5,500 in Coastal Nonpoint funding to implement
projects and build District capacity. The District used the funding to assist in
implementing Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program
by providing engineering, educational, and technical assistance in Lake County. Specific
projects included increased technical assistance to solve erosion problems, participation
in natural resource issue-based meetings, facilitating the agreement between Lake County
and NRCS to complete a soil survey, and having District Supervisors serve on state-wide
and regional natural resources planning efforts.

Proposed Work
Listed below is a detailed compilation of the proposed projects.

Urban / Rural:
1. Provide site reviews on land disturbing projects to assess compliance with erosion
and sediment control ordinances (private property owners, local units of
government).
2. Assist the Lake County Planning Commission on land use issues related to water
quality such as erosion and sediment control, storm water management, and
wetlands conservation.
3. Work with Cities, Townships, and County on erosion and sediment control
measures.
4. Provide assistance in revising the Lake County Land Use Ordinance, notably the
provisions on storm water management and erosion control.
5. Participate on the Arrowhead Water Quality Team to develop educational
materials and programs on water quality used throughout northeastern Minnesota.
6. Assist with implementation of the Two Harbors Storm Water Management Plan.
7. Assist the CCLNS Joint Powers Board Engineer with site reviews, assessment
summaries, and project planning on erosion control projects.
8. Conduct the Area III Minnesota Association of Soil & Water Conservation
District’s (MASWCD) Annual Meeting and Tour that will feature a number of
local conservation projects funded in part by the Lake Superior Coastal Program –
Two Harbors Storm Water Management Plan, Storm Water Detention Basins (2),
and the Lake County Demonstration Forest.
9. Distribute copies of the newly revised “Lake County Property Owner’s Guide.”

Forestry:
1. Provide landowner contacts for CCLNS Forester.
2. Have SWCD Supervisors participate on Laurentian RC&D Committee,
Minnesota Forestry Committee, CCLNS Joint Powers Board, Water Plan
Advisory Committee, and Lake Superior Association of SWCDs.
Wetlands, Riparian Areas & Vegetated Treatment Systems:
1. Provide site reviews to make wetland determinations, field check wetland
delineations, prepare and monitor wetland restoration plans, participate in
monthly Lake County Hydrology Committee meetings, and serve as a
clearinghouse for information on the Wetland Conservation Act.

Work Completed and Results

Technical Assistance:

1. Provided technical assistance on sixty-one requests for information and/or site

visits.
2. Facilitated the process between Lake County Department Heads, Lake County
Commissioners, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to come to
agreement on completing a detailed soil survey in Lake County.
3. Initiated two cost-share contracts for Streambank Stabilization.
4. Worked jointly with Keith Anderson, Joint Powers Board Engineer, to provide
technical assistance (design, construction inspection, final sign-off) on four
projects – Skunk Creek Streambank Restoration, Two Harbors Cemetery
Detention Basin, 11th Avenue Parkway Detention Basin (Inlet Channel & Rock
Chute).
5. Participated in two project meetings regarding City of Two Harbors projects –
Old Dump Site Erosion Control and Golf Course Erosion Control.
6. Led a tour of the proposed Franconia Mining operation near Babbitt for our Water
Plan Advisory Committee, Planning & Zoning Director, and one County
Commissioner.
7. Provided information to the DNR Trails Division on a proposed ATV trail
originating at the Lake County Demonstration Forest.

Wetland Conservation:

1. Prepared two wetland restoration plans.

2. Participated in two Wetland Conservation Act Training Sessions.
3. Participated in five Lake County Hydrology Committee TEP field
reviews/meetings.

Property Owner’s Resource Guide

Carried out the distribution plan for the revised Lake County Property Owners Resource
Guide to banks, contractors, cities, county offices, news article, libraries, Chamber of
Commerce, townships, electric coop, and White Iron Chain of Lakes Association..
Excerpts from the Property Guide were also printed in the North Shore Real Estate
Weekly on a regular basis highlighting best management practices.
SWCD Supervisors:

Lake County SWCD Supervisors served on a host of regional and state-wide planning
efforts including Laurentian RC&D Committee, Minnesota Forestry Committee, CCLNS
Joint Powers Board, Water Plan Advisory Committee, and Lake Superior Association of
SWCDs. These are typically bi-monthly meetings and the Supervisors provide a report
on recent committee activities at each SWCD meeting.

Area III MASWCD Annual Meeting:

Planned and conducted a two-day meeting for 55 SWCD Supervisors and staff on
September 26-27 at Superior Shores. The meeting included a series of presentations on
natural resource issues; a five-hour tour that highlighted conservation projects, a tour of
the Lake County Demonstration Forest, and a tour of Louisiana Pacific; and a business
meeting. The evaluations were outstanding. In addition, we provided Thank You letters
to all presenters.

Natural Resource Meetings:

Participated in the following natural resource issue-based meetings: Technical Advisory

Committee of the North Shore Management Board (3 meetings), Clean Water Legacy
Protection Strategy (2 meetings), CCLNS Joint Powers Board Meetings, Lake County
SWCD (11 meetings), Arrowhead Water Quality Team, Kawishiwi Watershed Partners
Meeting, Lake County Water Plan Advisory Committee (3 meetings) and the State of the
Coast Conference.

* See the attached narratives and other supporting materials for specific project details.

Conclusions
This project was effective in enhancing the technical assistance provided by District staff,
increasing the leadership capacity of District Supervisors to work on a regional and
statewide basis, and to continue to deliver highly successful efforts such as the Lake
County Property Owner’s Resource Guide.
 Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program MLSCP Project No. 310-01-07
Contract Number: B03579
Progress Report Date Received by MLSCP:

Project Title: Lake County SWCD Program Implementation / Capacity Building

Project Start Date: August 6, 2007

Reporting Period From: August 6, 2007 To: September 30, 2007

Name & Title of Person Completing Report Wayne Seidel, Conservation Specialist

1. Thoroughly discuss progress made during this reporting period, citing specific
tasks listed in contract scope of services.

The project is now underway and a total of 89.5 hours were logged on a variety of
projects including those listed below:

1. Area III SWCD Meeting - Planned and conducted a two-day meeting for 55 SWCD
Supervisors and staff on September 26-27 at Superior Shores. The meeting included a
series of presentations on natural resource issues; a five hour tour that highlighted
conservation projects, a tour of the Lake County Demonstration Forest, and a tour of
Louisiana Pacific; and a business meeting. The evaluations were outstanding.
2. Distribution of the Revised Lake County Property Owners Resource Guide - banks,
contractors, cities, county offices, news article, libraries, Chamber of Commerce,
townships, electric coop, etc.
3. Field Reviews / Requests for Technical Information - conducted seventeen reviews
and/or requests for information on proposed developments, erosion problems, and land
use violations.
4. Coordinated and facilitated a meeting between NRCS and county departments to
explore the feasibility of a soil survey for Lake County.
5. Participated in the following natural resource issue-based meetings: Technical
Advisory Committee (NSMB), Clean Water Legacy Protection Strategy, CCLNS Joint
Powers Board Meeting, Lake County SWCD (2 meetings).

2. Identify and discuss any problems or concerns (issues or project implementation and
administration).

No issues or concerns at this time.

Email completed report to karla.Sundberg@dnr.state.mn.us

 Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program MLSCP Project No. 310-01-07

Progress Report Contract Number: B03579

Date Received by MLSCP:

Project Title: Lake County SWCD Program Implementation / Capacity Building

Project Start Date: August 6, 2007

Reporting Period From: October 1, 2007 To: December 31, 2007

Name & Title of Person Completing Report Wayne Seidel, Conservation Specialist

1. Thoroughly discuss progress made during this reporting period, citing specific
tasks listed in contract scope of services.

The project is well underway and an additional 62 hours were logged this past three
months. A total of 151.5 hours have been utilized on a variety of projects including those
listed below:

1. Area III Meeting - Thank you letters to presenters.

2. Distribution of the Revised Lake County Property Owners Resource Guide - Meeting
with Sara Hill, North Shore Real Estate Weekly; copies to White Iron Chain of Lakes
Association.
3. Field Reviews / Requests for Technical Information - conducted fifteen reviews and/or
requests for information on proposed developments, erosion problems, and land use
violations; completed two wetland restoration orders.
4. Participated in the following natural resource issue-based meetings: Technical
Advisory Committee (NSMB) @ Grand Marais (11/1), Clean Water Legacy Protection
Strategy (11/21), Lake County SWCD (3 meetings).

2. Identify and discuss any problems or concerns (issues or project implementation and
administration).

No issues or concerns at this time.

Email completed report to karla.Sundberg@dnr.state.mn.us

 Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program MLSCP Project No. 310-01-07

Progress Report Contract Number: B03579

Date Received by MLSCP:

Project Title: Lake County SWCD Program Implementation / Capacity Building

Project Start Date: August 6, 2007

Reporting Period From: January 1, 2008 To: March 31, 2008

Name & Title of Person Completing Report Wayne Seidel, Conservation Specialist

1. Thoroughly discuss progress made during this reporting period, citing specific
tasks listed in contract scope of services.

The project is well underway and an additional 65 hours were logged the past three
months. A total of 216.5 hours have been utilized on a variety of projects including those
listed below:

1. Field Reviews / Requests for Technical Information - conducted seventeen reviews

and/or requests for information on proposed developments, erosion problems, wetlands,
and land use violations. These included leading a tour of the proposed Franconia Mining
operation near Babbit (nine participants), facilitating the Lake County Soil Survey Letter
of Commitment to NRCS, reviewing a proposal to harden off a portion of the State
Snowmobile Trail for ATVs, a gully erosion cost-share project, and a review of an
expansion of the Two Harbors Campground.
2. Participated in the following natural resource issue-based meetings: Wetland
Conservation Act Training @ Cloquet (1/8), Technical Advisory Committee (NSMB) @
Two Harbors (1/10), Arrowhead Water Quality Team Meeting @ Duluth (1/22), CCLNS
Joint Powers Board Meeting @ Duluth (3/18), Kawishiwi Watershed Partners Meeting @
Fall Lake (3/20), Lake County SWCD (3 meetings).
3. SWCD Supervisors continue to participate on a regular basis on the following
committees related to forestry and natural resource issues: Laurentian RC&D, Minnesota
Forestry Committee, CCLNS Joint Powers Board, and Water Plan Advisory Committee.

2. Identify and discuss any problems or concerns (issues or project implementation and
administration).

No issues or concerns at this time.

 Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program MLSCP Project No. 310-01-07

Progress Report Contract Number: B03579

Date Received by MLSCP:

Project Title: Lake County SWCD Program Implementation / Capacity Building

Project Start Date: August 6, 2007

Reporting Period From: April 1, 2008 To: June 30, 2008

Name & Title of Person Completing Report Wayne Seidel, Conservation Specialist

1. Thoroughly discuss progress made during this reporting period, citing specific
tasks listed in contract scope of services.

The project is now complete and an additional 61 hours were logged the past three
months. A total of 277.5 hours have been utilized on a variety of projects including those
listed below:

1. Field Reviews / Requests for Technical Information - conducted twelve reviews

and/or requests for information on proposed developments, erosion problems, wetlands,
and land use violations. In addition, we assisted in organizing a meeting on the proposed
Lake County Soil Survey between the County Board and LCCMR/NRCS (7/15),
administering two cost-share contracts, providing information on a proposed ATV trail
route originating at the Lake County Demonstration Forest, and participating in two
project meetings regarding City of Two Harbors projects (Two Harbors Old Dump Site,
Golf Course Erosion Control).
2. Participated in the following natural resource issue-based meetings: Wetland
Conservation Act Training @ Cloquet (4/16), State of the Coast Conference (5/1), Lake
County SWCD (3 meetings).
3. SWCD Supervisors continue to participate on a regular basis on the following
committees related to forestry and natural resource issues: Laurentian RC&D, Minnesota
Forestry Committee, CCLNS Joint Powers Board, and Water Plan Advisory Committee.

2. Identify and discuss any problems or concerns (issues or project implementation and
administration).

No issues or concerns at this time.

Email completed report to karla.Sundberg@dnr.state.mn.us