Item Description:
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Amd 2 to Agmt PR00004810 with Jonathan Bottema for wetland restoration and prairie installation, ext end date to 12/31/26, incr NTE by $20,000 for new total NTE of $144,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00004810 with Jonathan Bottema for wetland restoration and prairie installation to benefit Rush Creek, extending the period through December 31, 2026, and increasing the not to exceed amount by $20,000 for a new total not to exceed amount of $144,000, be approved; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Amendment on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Hennepin County is the soil and water conservation district for the county and performs all duties and authorities of a district. In this role, the county provides financial and technical assistance to landowners for projects that improve water quality and protect natural resources.
This agreement covers an ongoing project to restore 42 acres of prairie and wetlands along the banks of Rush Creek in the city of Corcoran. The project will reduce erosion to Rush Creek, eliminate phosphorus and sediment pollution, create wildlife habitat, more effectively manage stormwater, and sequester carbon.
The second amendment is needed to repair erosion damage that occurred to the site during heavy rainfall shortly after initial restoration. It will also ensure the vegetation is established prior to entering the project’s maintenance phase.
Projects that reduce stormwater runoff, stabilize eroding areas, protect shorelines from erosion, and reduce wind erosion are eligible for financial assistance through the Cost Share for Conservation Program. To evaluate projects, county staff work with residents to understand their conservation needs, describe their projects, estimate the costs, and estimate water quality benefits. This approach of prioritizing projects and water bodies for improvement projects is known as the priority subwatershed approach and is consistent with rules from the State of Minnesota about how to spend grant funds to improve water quality.
Potential water quality improvement projects are reviewed no more than once per quarter, and county staff make decisions about proceeding with projects based on water quality benefits and funding availability. Funding amounts and sources vary by project but is typically 10% from the landowner, 10% from the county, and 80% from federal, state, and/or watershed sources. The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission will reimburse the county for state and watershed portions of this project once it is completed.
Current Request: The current request is to approve Amendment 2 to Agreement PR00004810 with Jonathan Bottema for wetland restoration and prairie installation to benefit Rush Creek, extending the period through December 31, 2026, and increasing the NTE to $144,000.
Impacts/Outcomes: Approval of this request will improve the water quality of Rush Creek and downstream water resources including the Mississippi River. This project will also better capture and infiltrate and/or detain stormwater for longer periods, making water resources more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Restored wetlands and prairies will provide food, water, and shelter to many wildlife and pollinator species, add water storage, trap nutrient pollution, improve groundwater recharge, and sequester of carbon.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval