Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program

Carlton SWCD Coastal Nonpoint Technical Assistance Project

By: Brad Matlack, Carlton SWCD Manager

&
Kelly Smith, Carlton SWCD Technician
June 30, 2009

Project Number 310-03-08

Contract Number B16378

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.
Summary

The Carlton SWCD provided 314 hours (150 of grant reimbursed time and 191.5 hours of grant
match time) of technical assistance to landowners in the Lake Superior Basin portion of the
county through this project. The MN Lake Superior Coastal Program grant funding allowed the
SWCD to focus this assistance within the grant period of July 08 through June 2009 to address
this workload in a timely manor.

Coastal Program funding also helps the SWCD leverage other state funding such as state cost
share and Clean Water Legacy Act funds. Together these funds help the SWCD provide the
needed technical and financial assistance to implement priority projects within the Lake
Superior Basin. Some projects listed in this report would likely not have been accomplished
without this funding to focus these technical resources in this area of the county.

Often projects take 2 – 3 years to evolve from the planning stage through construction or
installation. That is one reason continued MN Lake Superior Coastal Program funding is so
critical to the Carlton SWCD. Maintaining project priority within the SWCD workload is very
important to project consistency from planning through oversight of installation. Assistance
provided by the SWCD included planning, contract management, project implementation
oversight, and project certification for conservation practices on forest and urban land, and
water resources of the county.

Category 1 Agriculture

Feedlot Runoff Control:

Consultation on 2 projects to divert clean water and treat contaminated water.

This feedlot runoff

control system keeps
dirty water from the
feedlot contained
and slowly meters
the runoff collectd to
a grass treatment
strip. This project
was years in the
planning and was
constructed by the
landowner in the late
summer of 2008.

Project checks on 6 livestock watering on pasture projects to reduce feedlot runoff.

Managing livestock
through watering
facilities can reduce
dirty runoff, move
animals out of and
way from natural
water sources, and
provide more effective
pasture management
which reduces runoff.

Category 2 Forestry

With almost half the land in Carlton County in forest and over half of that in private ownership,
forestry issues are important to water quality in the county. The SWCD provided assistance to
groups, individuals and small municipalities within the Lake Superior Basin to assist them in
implementing Forestry BMPS.

Projects
Riparian Forest Buffers: Oversaw the completion of 3 planting projects along Midway
Watershed streams, totaling 4.7 acres, 2320 feet of bank, with 578 large crowned trees to
improve trout habitat by lowering water temperature and stabilize the riparian corridor. Also
performed maintenance checks on 3 planting projects established last year along Midway
Watershed streams.
Consultation on 2 projects.

Forest Planting:
Consultation on 2 pine plantation projects including, site prep, planting, and weed control.
Forest Stand Improvement:
Consultation for one landowner.
 This Red Pine
stand above the
Blackhoof River
needs thinning to
improve tree
health and value,
and provide for
clean runoff to the
river.

Wildlife Habitat:
Consultation on 4 projects to plant trees and shrubs.
Urban Forestry:
Planned and oversaw planting of one residential lot in trees and shrubs. Invasive plant control
consultation with City of Scanlon.
Directed city of Carlton and City of Esko in maintenance on tree planting projects.
SFIA/2c Information:
Provided for 5 forestland owners

Category 5.3 Stream Bank and Shoreline Erosion

Streamside Erosion Control:

Started planning culvert replacement and erosion control at Dusler Creek & Pioneer Road with
Blackhoof Town Board.
Pioneer Road
inadequate
culvert eroding
into Dusler
Creek. To be
replaced
Reviewed FDL Reservation Proposal to replace culvert at Cartwright Rd and Otter Creek.
Offered suggestions to one landowner on repair of a dam leading to Elim Creek. Project
postponed.
Inspected Elim & Hansen Sediment Control Dams
Inspected 1 grade stabilization project.
Lakeside Erosion Control:
Consulted with one shoreland owner on maintenance of riprap project on Chub Lake

Category 6 Wetland, Riparian Areas, and Vegetated Treatment Systems

MN Wetlands Conservation Act:

The Carlton SWCD is not the LGU for the States Wetland Conservation Act, and therefore
receives only a small amount pass through funding to carry out its responsibilities to the act.
However, staff time far exceeds the amount of pass through funding. Coastal Program funding
helps supplement pass through and fee for service funding to help the SWCD provide technical
assistance to landowners with wetland issues.
Assistance was provided to 13 individuals or groups with consultation in all phases of wetland
protection and restoration.