Dakota County Riparian and Lakeshore Protection and Restoration, Phase II

The long history of settlement and long-accepted agricultural land use practices have resulted in the loss, degradation and fragmentation of our natural resource systems. In Dakota County, only three percent of the pre-settlement plant communities remain. Despite increased public awareness of water quality issues and improvement methods, as well as multi-agency efforts to assist landowners in protecting the environment, nearly every river, stream and lake in the County that has been monitored is officially impaired in some fashion. According to Metropolitan Council data, between 1970 and 2005, Dakota County lost more than 7,500 acres of non-urbanized land (undeveloped, agricultural, steeply sloped or wetland); added 3,592 acres for major four-lane highways and nearly tripled its residential acreage from 20,150 to 58,455. Not coincidentally, this new development is attracted to the remaining natural features - especially lakes and rivers. Yet, most of this land is privately owned and does not provide close-to-home public access for most residents to hunt, fish or enjoy other outdoor recreational activities. The county has a wealth of high quality soils and a vibrant agricultural economy, and with recently high commodity prices, the pressure to plant corn and soybeans from fence row to fence row has never been greater. Under even conservative scenarios, the potential changes that could be wrought by climate change need to be considered. This combination of large-scale impacts and trends must be approached comprehensively, long-term and collaboratively if we are to maintain and improve our natural resource heritage and its many associated benefits. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities to proactively and successfully address these challenges. The downturn in the economy has halted residential development for now and significantly lowered land prices. Sound plans have been developed and adopted which collectively focus on protecting and improving our natural infrastructure.

The county has a wealth of high quality soils and a vibrant agricultural economy, and with recently high commodity prices, the pressure to plant corn and soybeans from fence row to fence row has never been greater. Under even conservative scenarios, the potential changes that could be wrought by climate change need to be considered. This combination of large-scale impacts and trends must be approached comprehensively, long-term and collaboratively if we are to maintain and improve our natural resource heritage and its many associated benefits. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities to proactively and successfully address these challenges. The downturn in the economy has halted residential development for now and significantly lowered land prices. Sound plans have been developed and adopted which collectively focus on protecting and improving our natural infrastructure.

All proposed easements include a Natural Resource Management Plan. For some riparian easements, it will mean restoring currently cultivated areas using a variety of native species depending upon site conditions, habitat potential, strategic corridor interconnectivity, and opportunities to increase ecological resiliency. For other easements, it will be a combination of protecting and managing the current vegetation and restoring cultivated portions of the site with native species. In still other sites, the project will permanently protect and enhance the shoreline, riparian zone and associated uplands and wetlands. This project has direct benefits to fish, game and wildlife beyond the increased and interconnected terrestrial habitat. Working with landowners to increase and improve buffers and better manage drain tile will reduce runoff containing excess nutrients, chemicals and warm water. The resulting water quality improvements will enhance the entire aquatic ecosystem.

The scale and scope of this project is both doable and significant. It encompasses some of the best natural resource features found in the metropolitan region across a combination of urban, suburban and rural landscapes. It takes a sound fiscal and ecological systems approach to conservation, while attempting to balance the interests, rights and responsibilities of private landowners with the public's concerns about water and habitat quality, outdoor recreation and climate change.

The County has an excellent track record of working effectively with a wide variety of agencies, jurisdictions and organizations including the Natural Resources Conservation Service, MN Department of Natural Resources, Soil and Water Conservation District, Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization, Cannon River Watershed Partners, Friends of the Mississippi River, Trout Unlimited and others. Through the successful Farmland and Natural Areas Program, the County has developed program policy and practices to acquire, monitor and administer 37 current conservation easements with many new easement projects underway. In association with these easements, the County implements short- and long-term natural resource management and restoration.

The County has been implementing the Farmland and Natural Areas Program for six years with two years of planning, public outreach and participation prior to its inception. The recent approval of township, city and county comprehensive and local water plans was the culmination of significant involvement by stakeholders and the general public. The LCCMR-funded Vermillion River Corridor Project has involved over 220 people in a series of public workshops over the past six months.

The results of all of these efforts have led to wide-spread alignment and support for riparian easements that can accomplish multiple benefits while compensating and protecting private landowners. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the submission of this proposal by Resolution No. 09-549 on October 20, 2010. The proposed acquisitions will take place in as many as eight cities and twelve townships. While these local jurisdictions have been very supportive of previous County easement acquisitions from willing landowners and for projects that match approved local plans, they have not formally approved any specific acquisition at this point. Our intention is to discuss this project at the Dakota Township Officers meeting in March 2010 to elicit comments and concerns. This proposal will also be discussed during an early 2010 meeting with all city managers within the county. Any project involving current or future city land will be approved by the respective city staff or council prior to any expenditure within those jurisdictions.