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ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP The St. Croix and its tributary lakes and streams are community assets with economic, social and environmental benefits. This workshop on the St. Croix River provides an opportunity for elected and appointed officials and community leaders to build their knowledge and skills to make informed decisions on water management and land use. The workshop will provide an evening on the River to learn about practices, policies and plans to protect and restore the St. Croix and other streams and lakes in your community and share and learn from other local leaders. Workshop content The Watershed Game – a hands-on exercise in which teams of participants work together to achieve a

clean water goal for a watershed by applying various plans, practices, and policies, balancing available financial resources and negotiating with other teams representing various stakeholders and land uses. Led by trained water resource educators and professionals.

The Guided View – an exploration of locations along the River with educational presentations from various experts focusing on: water quality and the River’s health, pollutants of concern, current challenges, groundwater-surface water connections, and the impacts from tributaries and land use far away from the River.

AGENDA

5:00 – 5:30pm Registration and light dinner

5:30 Departure

5:45 - 6:00 Welcome and program overview

6:00 - 6:15 Transition time to session #1

6:15 - 7:15 Session I

Group A (all) = top deck

Group B1 & B2 = middle deck

Group B3 = lower deck

7:15 - 7:30 Transition time to session #2

7:30 – 8:30 Session II

Group B (all) = top deck

Group A1 & A2 = middle deck

Group A3 = lower deck

8:30 – 9:00 Networking

9:00 Disembark

St. Croix Workshop-on-the-Water for Local Leaders

An introduction to the water quality, land use, and health of the St. Croix River

August 6, 2015 Aboard the Grand Duchess 5:00—9:00 pm

ACTIONS FOR LOCAL LEADERS – Be looking for this symbol

Northland NEMO workshop-on-the-water. August 2015 2

Overview of workshop components and presentations

Welcome and program overview – Deck 2 (middle deck) Monica Zachay St. Croix River Association John Bilotta University of Minnesota Extension & Sea Grant Program Chris Stein National Park Service * Note: Please attend the session assigned to you by the code on your name tag. All participants will take part in both components in a rotating fashion. We have designed the route and agenda so that everyone will be able to take in all sites along the River either during the journey south or north. Component I The Watershed Game - Decks 1 & 2 A hands-on exercise in which participants attempt to achieve a clean water goal for a watershed by applying various plans, practices, and policies, balancing available financial capital, and negotiating with multiple teams representing various stakeholders and land uses. Presenters include: Angie Hong, Karen Terry, and Doug Malchow Component II The Guided View – Deck 3 (top deck) An exploration of locations along the River with educational presentations from various experts focusing on: water quality and the River’s health, pollutants of concern, current challenges, groundwater-surface water connections, and the impacts from tributaries and land use far away from the River. Presenters include: John Bilotta, Jim Almendinger, Mike Wenholz, Jenifer Sorensen, Gina Bonsignore, John Hanson, Mike Isensee, and Paul Putzier.

The NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) program provides education and training to community leaders including elected and appointed officials and citizen leaders about water resources, the impacts from land use, and strategies for protection and restoration. Goals include providing leaders with knowledge, skills, and research results to assist them in making informed local decisions that support clean water in their communities. www.northlandnemo.org

Workshop presented and sponsored by: Workshop presented by the East Metro Water Resource Education Program partners, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Croix River Association, National Park Service, University of Wisconsin Extension, and the University of

Minnesota Extension and Sea Grant Program, with additional funding provided by the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.


Workshop Presenters and Planning Team Contact Information

John Bilotta

University of Minnesota Extension

Phone 612-624-7708

Email [email protected]

Angie Hong

East Metro Water Resource Education Program

Phone: 651-330-8220 x.35

Email: [email protected]

Gina Bonsignore

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Phone: 651-259-5809


Mike Isensee

Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization

Phone: 651-330-8220 x.22


Jenifer Sorensen


Phone: 651-259-5754


Jim Almendinger

St. Croix Watershed Research Station

Phone: 651-433-5953 ext 19


Stephanie Souter

Washington County, Public Health and Environment

Phone: 651-430-6701


Mike Wenholz

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Phone: 715-839-3712


Monica Zachay

St. Croix River Association

Phone: 715-483-3300


Paul Putzier


Phone: 651-259-5692 Email: [email protected]

Karen Terry


Phone: 320-589-1711


Doug Malchow


Phone: 507-280-5575


Chris Stein

National Park Service

Phone: 715-483-2290



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Route and Learning Stations


Healthy watershed = Healthy Water = Healthy River The Trickle Down Theory

Nutrients in need, but in moderation. Watersheds have always leaked a little phosphorus and other nutrients to rivers and lakes that feed an appropriate amount of algae.

o Algae are the base of the aquatic food chain that keep native biota happy and healthy. o Too much phosphorus, like too much whiskey, can lead to problems when used beyond

“moderation.”

Here comes the scum.

Excessive phosphorus and other nutrients washed from the land into our waterways can create “harmful algal blooms” (HABs); dense masses of algae that impact recreational use, can be toxic to both humans and wildlife, and interrupts the food chain for all levels of aquatic biota.

Too much, too late: terminal eutrophication The transport of phosphorus from land to water is a one-way street and for all practical purposes irreversible. Some lakes may reach a tipping point contaminated with so much phosphorus that gets continuously recycled from their sediments. These lakes have large algae blooms that develop frequently, year after year.

We must prevent this from happening to the St. Croix!

The flawed heroine St. Croix is beautiful but impaired; Lake St. Croix suffers from a little too much phosphorus. Too much algae at times, but it can be rescued.

Phosphorus sources. Our 1990s baseline assessment:

10% from point sources 35% from natural sources 55% from non-point sources

Urban development Shoreland development Agriculture

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A time machine to the River’s checkered past. The analysis of lake sediments indicates that the rise of phosphorus occurred principally in the mid-20th century, with the increased mechanization of agriculture, the use of inorganic fertilizers, and urban expansion.


Our target? A 25% reduction.

The phosphorus reduction goal is not an impossible return to pristine wilderness conditions, but to a moderate level of acceptable pollution that still allows good ecologic health.

TMDL = Total Maximum Daily Load of 340 metric tons of P per year, about a 25% reduction from levels measured in the 1990s.

The goal turns back the clock just a bit, to the 1940s, when the water had a moderate amount of algae as shown by our lake-sediment evidence.

Actions for local leaders

Recognize that government policy drives agriculture. Agriculture is the largest source of P for the St. Croix. Discourage policy that promotes row-crop agriculture of corn and beans, such as

the ethanol mandate, which commonly results in water-quality degradation. Encourage policy that promotes more perennials on the landscape, which will

benefit water quality and provide habitat for wildlife, including game species, songbirds, and pollinators.

Maintain and adopt policies that promote wise urban and rural-residential development. Fund comprehensive septic system maintenance and inspection programs and the

use of advanced waste-water treatment technologies. Infiltrate urban runoff wherever possible. Strengthen shoreland regulations because development next to waterways has a

disproportionate impact.

Fund boots on the ground. Fund mitigation efforts to install landscape repairs that help plug the leaks that

deliver phosphorus to the river. Fund monitoring efforts to track nutrient inputs and algal productivity. Fund

research that helps guide management. Fund public education programs that build community understanding and support,

and provide opportunity to engage citizens in outdoor activities.

Don’t P in our Lake!


The River’s Edge

Riparian Zone = River’s edge Riparian Buffer = Vegetation along the river’s edge

Vegetation and soil at the River’s edge influence its health.

o Water quality – Water runoff carries soil, nutrients, and other pollutants across land; vegetation cover slows the movement into the river by capturing and holding rainfall, filtering pollution, and increases groundwater infiltration.

o Stabilization – vegetation holds the soils on riverbank, streambanks, and shorelines in place. Concentrated flow, more frequent higher intensity rains, and soil disturbance can trigger erosion and the formation of gullies that can contribute a lot of soil and pollutants to the river quickly.

o Habitat – The St. Croix River’s bluffs contain a large portion of the remaining native plant communities in this area. Preserving, restoring, and expanding these special areas provides critical habitat for wildlife for eagles, songbirds, waterfoul frogs, turtles, pollinators and other wildlife on land and in the water.

Plant and tree diversity – Think vertical and think horizontal

o Forests with a canopy, midstory (small trees and shrubs) and ground cover including deeply rooted native grasslands do a great job of reducing the force of intense rainfall. This allows more rain to soak into the ground. All these layers are needed for wildlife feeding, breeding, nesting, and resting.

o Native plants are best adapted to the environment and support the wildlife food chain. A diversity of plant communities suited to soil, water and solar microclimates benefits a greater diversity of wildlife and helps stabilize the overall habitat.

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o Existing trees, shrubs and native grasses have well established root systems. Turf grass has a shallow root system and is good to use where you need flat surfaces to walk on, but not on slopes. Turf provides virtually no wildlife habitat benefit.

o Wider and more continuous habitat connections are better so that animals can move around and still have needed protection. Establishing or maintaining a riparian buffer strip 30—100’ wide provides habitat and water quality benefits. How wide depends on slopes, soils and adjacent habitat.

o Avoid disturbing existing vegetation—it’s hard to re-establish vegetation on a steep slope.

Local Governments Protect Vegetation Screening on the Lower St. Croix River

1976 – A master plan for the riverway – Goal is to preserve the existing scenic and recreational resources of the Lower St. Croix River through controlled development.

Congress found that the Lower St. Croix River and its immediate environment possess outstanding scenic and esthetic, recreational and geologic values, and that the river and its immediate surroundings should be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Vegetation screening is the key! The key to protecting the scenic component of the river is the preservation of vegetation in the protected strip along the river.

o Screens structures from view when on the river o Provides privacy o Enhances property values o Protects shorelines from frequent water level fluctuations and

recreational boating use o Protects buildings from winds in winter and strong sunlight in summer o Prevents erosion and stabilizes the sandy soils along the river

Minnesota and Wisconsin state rules and community ordinances regulate cutting and management of vegetation along the St. Croix River.

Minnesota Minnesota Administrative Rule 6105.0370 states that standards are in place to protect and preserve the river’s existing natural, scenic, and recreational values, amongst other purposes. Live vegetation cutting requires a local permit within 200 feet of the ordinary high water level (OHW) in rural districts, 100 feet in urban districts, 40 feet from bluff lines, and on all slopes greater than 12 percent and there are defined circumstances under which live cutting is allowed. There are limited circumstances under which no permit is required.


Wisconsin Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 118 states that the primary goals of the vegetative management provisions are to screen structures to make them visually inconspicuous and to prevent disturbance of environmentally sensitive areas such as steep slopes, shorelines, and bluff top areas. It defines “filtered view of the river” to mean that one can see through the vegetation while any structure remains visually inconspicuous. Removal of trees and shrubs 200 feet of the OHW and 40 feet from bluff lines is not permitted except under limited circumstances.


When reviewing site plans, make sure soil is graded so water flows away from bluff tops.

Provide information in newsletters and other communications about the fragility of bluffs and the importance of vegetation to stabilize soils.

Enforce vegetation regulations along the St. Croix River – require permits, and when violations occur, require restoration. Promote vegetation screening along the river as a benefit to landowners.

Resources on this topic

Past St. Croix Workshop-on-the-Water Materials and Resources: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/wild_scenic/wsrivers/workshops.html

MN DNR Guide for Buying and Managing Shoreland on Wild, Scenic, and Recreational

Rivers: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/shorelandmgmt/guide/standards_wildscenic.html

Lower St. Croix River: A National Wild and Scenic Treasure handout (MNDNR): http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/waters/lower_st_croix_brochure.pdf

Management of Bluff and Slopes handout (MNDNR):

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/waters/shoreland_rules_fact_sheet_bluff_management.pdf

Conserving Your Blufflands brochure (MNDNR):

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/waters/Conserving_Your_Blufflands.pdf

MN Administrative Rules, Chapter 6105, Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=6105

WI Administrative Code, Chapter NR 118, Standards for the Lower St. Croix National

Scenic Riverway: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/nr/100/118.pdf

Wisconsin DNR St. Croix River Basin website: http://dnr.wi.gov/water/basin/stcroix/


Changing land use within communities and subwatersheds Development, redevelopment, impervious surface, and stormwater runoff

Example: Valley Creek watershed

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Land use today

Valley Creek’s watershed encompasses 9,100 acres (14 square miles) of land, all of which ultimately drains to this outlet point on the St. Croix River.

Today’s land use within the Valley Creek watershed is generally agricultural (medium green), single family residential (yellow), and undeveloped (very light green), and parkland (dark green).


Future land use

The future land use within the Valley Creek watershed is expected to be mostly rural or large-lot residential.

As land develops, the undeveloped open meadows and woodlands become covered with impervious surfaces, such as gravel or paved driveways and roads, houses, and parking lots.


Stormwater Runoff and Impervious Surfaces The Valley Creek watershed is currently 3.3% impervious.


Stormwater Runoff and Impervious Surfaces

Impervious surface causes stormwater runoff in urban and developed portions of our

communities transporting multiple pollutants to our lakes, streams, and rivers.

Impervious surface: roads, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots rooftops, and sometimes compacted turf areas that do not allow water to infiltrate into the soil.

Connected impervious surface (effective impervious surface): The portion of the total impervious area that is hydraulically connected via a stormwater sewer system.


Strategies to reduce stormwater runoff and minimize impact from impervious surfaces

Reduce impervious surfaces Control stormwater volume Prevent pollution

MIDS Community Assistance Package (CAP): Model ordinances for stormwater, erosion and

sediment control, and other land use policies along with checklists and processes to assist you in

reviewing and revising your community’s ordinances.

Actions for Local Leaders

Adopt or be familiar with volume reduction standards (such as MN MIDS) that many watersheds and cities have or will adopt in the near future.

Request your planner or set funding aside to hire a consulting planner to utilize the Community Assistance Package to integrate Minimal Impact Design Standards into your community ordinances.

Become familiar with and use (ask) the stormwater critical questions when projects and proposals come to you for consideration.

Know your stormwater rules and regulations and why they are in place.

Focus on water quality improvement through small storm event volume control.

1.1” represents about 90% of rain events in Minnesota.

Events between .5 – 1.5” are responsible for about 75% of runoff pollutants.

First flush – control it!


Stormwater critical questions for local leaders

When considering a proposal or making a decision on a project related to land use, development, redevelopment, or water management. ask yourself:

1. WHERE DOES STORMWATER FLOW INTO AND OUT OF THIS SITE?

2. HOW MUCH RUNOFF DOES THIS PROJECT CREATE? MORE OR LESS?

3. CAN IMPERVIOUS SURFACE BE REDUCED?

4. CAN STORMWATER BE USED OR TREATED ON-SITE?

5. WHICH POLLUTANTS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED?

(Nutrients, sediment, chloride, bacteria, others?)

6. DO YOU HAVE ACCURATE DATA? DO YOU UNDERSTAND IT?

7. DOES THE PROPOSAL MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES

(City codes, MS4 Permit, Watershed, and others?)


Groundwater-Surface Water Connections Along the St. Croix Valley - Of Coulees, Creeks, Springs and Streams

Where groundwater intersects the land surface we find lakes, ponds, wetlands, springs and streams. Surface water (rain, snow, lakes, rivers and streams) is connected to groundwater (shallow and deep bedrock) forming one hydrologic system. (Fig. 1 & 2).

Movement between surface and groundwater is not one way. Surface water moves to groundwater and groundwater moves to surface water which may again move into groundwater.

Photo of Valley Creek

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City of Lake St. Croix Beach

The St. Croix River is a discharge boundary for the groundwater in eastern Washington County and western Wisconsin. Precipitation falling in this region either ends up as surface water discharges to the St. Croix or it moves into the groundwater systems and discharges to the St. Croix River (Figure 2)

Healthy groundwater is measured by both quantity and quality. We need to be aware of both aspects when managing this resource.

The quality of groundwater can be altered (degraded or improved) by:

o Changing natural conditions o Impacts from humans such as land use and uncontrolled discharges. (Fig. 6, p.20)

Groundwater is the “conveyor belt” that (Fig. 2) moves contaminants from one place to the

river. o Natural pollutants o Individual septic systems

o Industrial pollutants (Fig. 6, p. 20) o Agricultural chemicals

Cold, clean, flowing groundwater is critical to the health of the springs and streams, of the

St. Croix River valley (Figure 3) and the unique ecosystems they support (Figure 3, p.20).


Groundwater is an important, yet often undervalued resource in the Willow River watersheds and the entire St. Croix Basin, as it is the sole source of drinking water to residents in the Basin and recharges over 100 trout streams and countless lakes within the watershed. Once contaminated, groundwater may take many years and potentially large monetary resources to clean. From the Upper and Lower Willow Watershed, 2010 Water Quality Management Plan Update, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The quantity of groundwater can be altered (decreased or increased) by:

o Changing precipitation patterns (natural & human caused) o Changing recharge (natural and human caused) o Human use of groundwater (pumping for communities, agriculture and

industry).

When we use groundwater for our source water for communities, businesses and farms that water can no longer be used by the springs and trout streams along the St. Croix River. It is a one, limited and shared resource.

What we do on the land surface affects our groundwater and the ecosystems which rely on healthy groundwater.


Invest in projects that will preserve or increase recharge to groundwater systems.

Invest in efforts to protect and improve groundwater quality, including addressing individual septic systems and other potential sources of pollution.

Support and get involved in education efforts in your community that promote for more efficient water use (for example education on lawn watering).

Adopt policies that limit outdoor water use and implement programs that encourage upgrades to water efficient appliances.

Become familiar with the “2014 – 2024 Washington County Groundwater Plan”. The Plan provides strong direction for protection and wise use of groundwater for communities located in the county, and for communities not in Washington County. www.co.washington.mn.us/documentcenter/view/794

Become familiar with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources “North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area Plan”. www.dnr.state.mn.us/gwmp/areas.html


About

The Watershed Game is an interactive tool that helps individuals understand the connection between land use and water quality. Participants learn how a variety of land uses impact water and natural resources, increase their knowledge of best management practices (BMPs), and learn how their choices can prevent adverse impacts. Participants apply plans, practices, and policies that help them achieve clean water goals for protection and restoration while providing for community growth.

The Watershed Game is available in three versions for use with adults

The STREAM version addresses an entire headwaters watershed and the land uses often found in it. The RIVER version addresses the land uses associated with large river systems and urban areas. The LAKE version concentrates on land uses surrounding a typical lake. It is designed for use with elected and appointed officials, community leaders, watershed organizations, lake associations, and other adult audiences who have a role in developing plans, applying practices, or adopting policies integral to water resource management

The new Classroom Version is designed for use in middle to high school students and teachers.

Trained Watershed Game Facilitators – There are more than 100 trained facilitators across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and in other states; many are available to assist with using the tool in St. Croix watershed communities.

For more information, visit http://northlandnemo.org/watershedgame.html

or contact John Bilotta, phone 612.624.7708 email [email protected]

The WATERSHED GAME


Your notes and questions here

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