11/29/2006 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • In 1997, in collaboration with local partners, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency scientists developed a citizen wetland monitoring program based upon these bioassessment techniques. The Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) is now an award - winning and nationally recognized program that uses citizen volunteers to monitor the biological health of local wetlands. FMR began managing the WHEP program in Dakota County two years ago. In 2004, we worked with over 100 volunteers who contributed 1,672 hours monitoring local wetlands. We continue to grow the program, adding 40 new Dakota County volunteers in 2005. Building upon our success with the WHEP program, FMR proposes to develop, implement and evaluate a new replicable model for engaging volunteers in a rigorous stream monitoring program in the state of Minnesota. To carry this out, FMR will work in partnership with the following new and existing partners: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA), Anoka Conservation District, the Rice Creek Watershed District and the Anoka County cities within the Rice Creek Watershed. This Stream Health Evaluation Program (SHEP) will provide scientifically reliable data, effectively engage volunteers and provide meaningful data to decision makers. The Stream Health Evaluation Program, a new national model for water quality assessment: • Monitors both streams and wetlands • Uses research -based multiple index metrics • Professionally trains adult volunteers • Utilizes multiple levels of quality control to ensure quality results • Provides relevant, reliable and usable data to local decision makers • Engages citizens in water resource management and assessment • Encourages protecting water resource health among community members • Promotes partnership between local governments, state agencies and community residents. FMR will recruit two teams of 10 -15 citizen volunteers from the Rice Creek Watershed focusing on cities within Anoka County. Recruitment efforts will include mailings, press releases, FMR's newsletters and face -to -face meetings with lake associations and civic groups. These efforts will serve to promote the SHEP model as well as recruit participants for the project. Participants will be required to go through a rigorous and engaging training session. The trainings will provide volunteers with background information on the biology and ecology of the watershed and how monitoring can inform and enhance the management of water resources. With the assistance of MPCA biologists, the volunteers will be professionally trained in the use of advanced, ecoregion - specific stream monitoring and assessment protocols. The SHEP teams will monitor six to eight sites along Rice Creek and its tributaries. These sites will be chosen for their location upstream or downstream of significant natural resource impacts, such as ditch maintenance and new suburban development, as well as water resource restoration projects. This will allow volunteers to identify and track trends in the ecological health of the stream as land uses change and management /restoration projects are implemented in the Friends of the Mississippi River Proposal to the Minnesota Community Foundation Page 2 of 3