State Park Land Improvements

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Several of Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas will be receiving energy efficiency improvements, water quality enhancement upgrades, or additional visitor facilities. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is using this appropriation to install photovoltaic energy generation equipment and solar-powered water wells, rehabilitate stormwater collection and storage systems, repair and stabilize stream bank erosion, and construct rustic camper cabins. A number of parks are slated for improvements, including St Croix State Park near Hinckley, Soudan Underground Mine State Park near Ely, and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Tettegouche State Park along the north shore of Lake Superior.

OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS
The purpose of this project was to focus on renewable energy improvements, water quality enhancement, and attracting new users at Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas. This project consisted of installation of photovoltaic solar generation facilities at Tettegouche State Park, the construction of 4 rustic camper cabins at Lake Bemidji State Park, and the major rehabilitation of the storm water management system and repair of an eroding river bank at St. Croix State Park.

The first activity was to install photovoltaic solar panels at Tettegouche State Park. This allows us to showcase renewable energy at one of our busiest parks. There were 24KW of pole-mounted photovoltaic generating equipment installed. The system has 96 panels and each panel has a nameplate power rating of 250 watts. These panels will generate power for the brand new visitor center that will open to the public in the spring of 2014. Any excess power is exported to the electrical grid. The Utility, MN Power will credit any net excess kWh generation on the meter's monthly invoice. Annual saving are $3,200.

The second activity was to rehabilitate storm water collection and storage systems at the St. Croix State Park Visitor Center and repair and stabilize river bank erosion on the St. Croix River. Storm water treatment and storage facilities were lacking. The original storm water management system was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. A 20 car parking lot was re-graded and repaved with historic features such as stone curbing preserved. Best management practices are now demonstrated including natural treatment systems such as rain gardens, grassy swales and infiltration pipes were used to redirect storm water from the parking lot away from the river. The hillside that had eroded into the St. Croix River has been stabilized. It was re-graded and restored with native vegetation. The delta of sediment has been removed from the river.

The third activity was to construct 4 rustic camper cabins at Lake Bemidji State Park. They are well insulated to exceed the energy code by 30% and they exceed Minnesota Sustainable Design Guidelines. FRC sustainably grown lumber was used. Camper cabins have been found to attract new users who may not have camping equipment or feel comfortable sleeping out in a tent. These cabins are open for use year round. All 4 cabins have heat and electricity, a screened in porch, an outdoor fire ring for cooking and a picnic table. Two of the cabins sleep 6 while the other two are wheelchair accessible and sleep 5. Along with the cabins, 2 vault toilets were installed within close proximity as well as 2 wells for drinking water. Since the cabins opened in June 2012 there have been 959 occupied site nights.