Water-Smart Schools and Libraries
As Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as rain gardens and infiltration swales begin to be implemented in Chisago County, most people don't understand what they are and what their purpose is. With the dual goals of treating stormwater runoff and educating the public, the SWCD applied for and received a Clean Water Fund grant to implement several pre-designed BMPs at
public locations in Chisago County. Three locations will be involved: the Wyoming Library, the Chisago Lakes Middle School, and the Rush City High School. These locations are spread out throughout Chisago County in three separate cities, are all highly visible to the public, and will reach different audiences.
Water-smart BMPs reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff by slowing, capturing, or infiltrating water. Runoff water carries sediment, chemicals, excess nutrients, and other undesirable items into the nearest water body, which reduces clarity, quality, and habitat. The implementation of infiltration basins and swales captures runoff from highly impervious areas, such as roofs and parking lots. Water that is directed into these BMPs is allowed to infiltrate into the ground, which causes phosphorus, sediment, and organic matter to
filter out of the water. This improves water quality by reducing the amount of phosphorus available for algal blooms, improves clarity by reducing suspended solids that cloud water, and improves aquatic habitat by reducing chemicals that may harm aquatic life.
The combined effect of the projects will result in 4.8 pounds per year of phosphorus and 2,400 pounds per year of total suspended solids being filtered out of water.
Nicole Clapp
(c) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 the second year are for nonpoint source pollution reduction and restoration grants to watershed districts, watershed management organizations, counties, and soil and water conservation districts for grants in addition to grants available under paragraphs (a) and (b) to keep water on the land and to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, and to protect groundwater and drinking water. The projects must be of long-lasting public benefit, include a local match, and be consistent with TMDL implementation plans or local water management plans. Up to five percent may be used for administering the grants. (2011 - Clean Water Assistance)
The combined effect of the projects will result in 4.8 pounds per year of phosphorus and 2,400 pounds per year of total suspended solids being filtered out of water.
This project resulted in 3 BMPs being installed throughout Chisago County. The combined effect will remove an estimated 5 pounds of phosphorus and keep over 1 million gallons of stormwater on the land each year .