November 13, 2012 Kiel Tschumperlin

TMDL Implementation Project

û Welcome and introductions û Watershed Coordinator background û Project overview and progress to

date û Questions

My Background

û From Watkins, MN ó 25 miles SW of St. Cloud

û Avid hunter and fisherman

û Gustavus Adolphus College ó BA - Environmental Studies ó May 27, 2012

û Heron Lake Watershed District ó June 4, 2012

TMDL Implementation Project

û EPA 319 grant û Administered by MPCA û HLWD – Project Sponsor ó HLWD employee ó Office space and equipment ó Reporting ó No enforcement, just inventory

Project Partners

û Input and direction û Project promotion ó Awareness ó Influence

TMDL Implementation Project Goals û Goal #1: Conduct an onsite feedlot

inventory and strengthen partnerships with the four core counties and the HLWD

û Level III feedlot inventory ó 80% of the feedlots in the watershed ó Four years ó Inspections conducted by:

○ County feedlot officers ○ Watershed coordinator

TMDL Implementation Project Goals

û Goal #2: Increase the knowledge of 50 feedlot operators through a one-day workshop ó Manure management workshop

TMDL Implementation Project Goals

û Goal #3: Increase public awareness of the project by developing a brochure and website ó Brochure has been developed ó Website has been developed

○ Updated periodically ○ http://www.hlwdonline.org/hlwd/ ó Click on WFDMR TMDL tab

TMDL Implementation Project Goals

û Goal #4: Provide project updates and receive input and direction during semi-annual meetings with the advisory and technical committees

Feedlot Overview

û Total registered feedlots in WFDMR Watershed ó 742 Feedlots

û 80% of 742 = 592 Inspections to be conducted ó Murray County – 216 sites ó Jackson County – 190 sites ó Nobles County – 142 sites ó Cottonwood County – 44 sites

WFDMR Watershed Map

Project Significance

û Inform farmers/landowners û 85.5% - row crop agriculture û 15 out of 32 impairments ó 10-86% reduction

û WFDMR CWP diagnostic study ó 58,000 tons of TSS ó 10 million pounds of nitrogen ó 485,000 pounds of phosphorus

Inspection Process

û Monday prior to inspection week ó Meet with county feedlot officer ○ Review MinnFARMs ○ Delta detail reports ○ Aerial Imagery ○ Producer letter ó Set inspection date and time

○ Mail out letters ○ Preliminary drive-by in some cases (Not always on Mondays, depends on schedules)

Summary of a Delta Detail Report

Inspection Protocol

Task Person(s) Responsible

Prepare customizable inspection form Coordinator Gather files CFO

Site inspection Coordinator, CFO

Update registration (As needed) CFO

Investigate issues Coordinator, CFO Discuss what was observed Coordinator, CFO Measurements for MinnFARM Coordinator, CFO Run MinnFARM Coordinator Compare results Coordinator, CFO Assist in fixes (case-by-case basis) Coordinator, CFO Follow up letter CFO Any enforcement action CFO

Progress as of October 16, 2012

û 79 feedlots inspected û 513 feedlots remaining û Of the 79 feedlots inspected: ó 59 - open lots ó 12 - total confinements or no discharge

sites ó 8 – deactivated, no lots, or under 10 AU

Progress Continued

û Inspection breakdown ó 71 active sites

○ 52 compliant (73.2%) ○ 19 non-compliant (26.8%)

ó Of the 71 active sites ○ 23 – surface water within 1,000 feet ó 18 compliant (78.3%) ó 5 non-compliant (21.7%)

○ 10 – shoreland – (6.3) ó 8 compliant (80%) ó 2 non-compliant (20%)

Minnesota Feedlot Annualized Runoff Model (MinnFARM) Index

û Highest index as of October 16, 2012 ó 28 ó 26 (2nd Highest) ó Neither are in shoreland

û Lowest index ó 0

○ On several sites with open lots û Average index ó 6.1

Sample MinnFARM Form

Site Inspection

Site: 250 Beef Steers on three lots

Shoreland – See below (Jack Creek) Permanent meadow buffer

Jack Creek

Site Inspection

Above: 25 Sheep on lot Low animal density

Below: 30 Beef Cows on lot Predominately on pasture during summer

Site Inspection

Bottom Photos: 15 Beef Steers Potential groundwater contamination Depth to water table – 29.5 inches

Right: 125 Beef Steers on Lot, road ditch is at the base of the fence.

Challenges û Drought û High commodity prices ó Reduction in feedlots ó Reduced animal numbers

û Loss of Jackson County Feedlot Officer

What’s Next? û Apply for funding ó Implement fixes ó Provide cost share ó Prioritize based on needs

û Work with willing landowners

Questions?

Thank You!