8092 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

20 BIOLOGICAL REPoRT 19 Once the Hydrologic Simulation Program- FORrRAN model is set up to represent the Min- nesota River watershed, each land segment will be modeled to generate runoff and pollutant loads per unit area to the stream channel. The runoff and pollutant loads to each reach will be deter- mined by multiplying the unit area runoff and pollutant loads by the area of each land segment tributary to each channel reach. These calcula- tions for each reach, in conjunction with modeling the instream hydraulic and water quality proc- esses, will result in simulation of the entire water- shed. Monitoring data from the physical and chemi- cal component of the study will be used to verify the model's ability to simulate observed condi- tions. The model will then be used to investigate the expected outcomes of applying various land management practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution loadings. Citizen Involvement Improving water quality on a large scale can only be accomplished through active citizen participa- tion (Pinkerton 1991). The MRAP recognized the importance of citizen involvement at the outset of the project. As the data collection activities con- clude, the Minnesota River Implementation Pr0- gram is getting underway. The initial step in the Minnesota River imple- mentation Program was a series of public meet- ings held throughout the basin to solicit input and information from concerned citizens. While these meetings were not well-attended by the public, some important messages were delivered to the regulatory agencies. There was a strong feeling that enough money has been spent on determining there are problems; now is the time to start spend- ing money to flx the problems. The goal of the Minnesota River Implementation Program is to develop a comprehensive strategy for improving water quality in the river through three avenues: a citizens advisory committee, an inter- agency technical advisory committee, and the gen- eral public. The citizens advisory committee is made up of 30 people who represent diverse organi- zations throughout the basin and who will have significant involvement in the development of an overall strategy for improving water quality. The technical advisory committee will be the liaison group between the MRAP and the citizens advisory committee. Finally, the general public will ulti- mately canoy out any recommendations put forth by the citizens advisory committee. Development of an implementation strategy is just getting underway. Actual implementation should be underway by 1994. Until citizens advi- sory committee recommendations are imple- mented, agency program managers are being asked to consider targeting existing programs and resources to address water quality problems in the Minnesota River basin. The Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Re- sources has committed 50% of the statewide Rein- vest in Minnesota Reserve funds to the Minnesota River basin. The Department of Natural Re- sources-Section of Fisheries has recently com- pleted a comprehensive flsh survey of the main- stem Minnesota River. Other agencies are currently discussing reallocating funds to the Min- nesota River basin. At this writing there are no results to report. In the past few years several groups have organ- ized and are spearheading river issues. These groups are growing in size and number and will prove to be important players in the implementa- tion of water quality improvements. Conclusion The Minnesota River basin study is serving as a model of comprehensive watershed investigation and planning in Minnesota. A tremendous amount of information has been compiled that will answer many questions about water quality and biotic integrity in the watershed. The MRAP and Minne- sota River Implementation Program programs will serve as the catalyst for additional studies, such as a comprehensive creel, recreational use, and eco- nomic beneflt survey of the entire river. Acknowledgments Primary funding for this project was approved by the Minnesota Legislature (ML 1991, Chapter 254, Art. 1, Sec. 14, Subd. 4[cD as recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Re- sources from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. I would like to thank all the principal investigators and others who reviewed an earlier draft of the manuscript and provided many useful comments; thanks to K. Stauffer for preparation of the graphics.