Stearns County SWCD

Stearns County Shoreline Streambank Habitat Restoration Project Phase 2 Will Continue to Build on the Strong Habitat Restoration and Protection Effort on Glacial Lakes in Stearns County. Stearns County Has Many Lakes That Have Been Impacted by Increased Residential Development With Disturbance to the Emergent Zones Along Shorelines. This Results in Habitat Loss in the Near Shore Zones, Loss of Fish and Wildlife Populations, as Well as Water Quality Degradation.the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Has a Dedicated Riparian Resources Specialist to Work With Lakeshore Owners on Habitat Projects That Restore and Protect Fish and Wildlife Communities. Landowners for Each Project Proposed Are Committed to Completing a Shoreline Restoration. Each of These Projects Will Use Natural Techniques (native Grasses, Wildflowers, Trees, Shrubs, Vines and Various Bio-engineering Techniques That Use Wood and Footer Rock Above and Below the Ordinary High Water (OHW) Level) to Expand and Protect Fish and Wildlife Habitat. With the Restoration or Protection of Natural Shorelines Many Native Fish Species Will Enjoy Additional and Improved Habitat.the Stearns County SWCD Has a Policy That Projects Must Include a Minimum of 75% of the Shoreline Length, With a Maximum Traffic Area of No More Than 25 Feet. in Addition, Projects Shall Extend at Least 25 Feet Landward of the Ohw Level of the Lake or to the Top of the Nearest Slope (12% Steepness or More) Whichever Is Greater. Since Lakes That Support Cisco Have Been Identified as a Priority Species by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a Focus Will Be to Design Projects That Can Cool the Water and Support the Species. as the Sites Are Restored the SWCD Will Oversee the Process to Ensure the Plans Are Implemented as Planned. Once Completed, a Deed Restriction Will Be Recorded to Keep the Project in Place Permanently. This Requires the Current and Future Owners to Keep the Project in Place and Maintain the Native Vegetation. in Addition, There Are Ongoing Operation and Maintenance Requirements as Part of the Contracting Process, and the Landowner May Be Liable for Up to 150% of the Project Cost for Failure to Adhere to Those Requirements.funding for This Project Will at Least Five Sites to Be Restored and Will Leverage $51,400 of Private and State Funds for Implementation. the Project Will Also Allow Educational Opportunities for Several Hundred Additional Individuals.