 |
 |
 |
 |
FOLLOW THE MONEY
There are four potential funding sources for implementing Lake Pepin restoration efforts:
I. Navigation Environmental Sustainability Program (NESP)
II. Environmental Management Program (EMP)
III. Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance of the 9-ft navigation channel (O&M)
IV. Minnesota Legacy (Clean Water and Outdoor Heritage)
The Army Corps of Engineers would be the entity responsible for implementing efforts under NESP, EMP, and O&M. The state of Minnesota would be responsible for implementing projects under the Minnesota Legacy program. It is important to note that Congress is considering phasing out EMP and providing all ecosystem restoration funding through NESP, but this has yet to happen.
Under NESP, projects below the Ordinary High Water level or on federal lands would be 100% federally funded. This could include island building and drawdowns in Lake Pepin. The NESP has received appropriation to date for planning purposes only for the Mississippi River from Minnesota to St. Louis ($8-12 million/year over the last 2-3 years). NESP also includes additional language for implementing poolwide water level management.
Under EMP, island projects in Lake Pepin would be cost shared 65% federal and 35% non-federal. Drawdowns could not be funded under EMP. The EMP averages around $18 million in annual appropriations, which funds both the habitat restoration and long-term monitoring components.
O&M funding is specific to maintaining the navigation channel and lock and dam infrastructure, but under certain situations has been used to help construct islands (providing sand) and complete additional dredging prior to implementing drawdowns. O&M funding would need to be directly tied to navigation maintenance or improvements.
Minnesota Legacy amendment was passed in November 2008 and is intended to fund both water quality and habitat improvement projects. This could potentially include island projects and water level drawdowns in Lake Pepin, however, the program is new and the types of projects and funding allocations are currently being developed. It may be possible to link Legacy funding with EMP to provide the non-federal cost share for island projects.
As a result of a 1970 lawsuit settlement involving the state of Wisconsin and the arbitrary dumping of sediment and sand, the River Resources Forum (RRF) was established. It is made up of the Fish & Wildlife DNRs of the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa; Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District; US Fish and Wildlife Service; US Coast Guard; the Departments of Transportation of Minnesota and Wisconsin; various navigation industry representatives, and non-government organizations. They meet three times a year to coordinate on navigation and ecosystem topics. Several work groups provide recommendations to the RRF on ecosystem and navigation projects, including the Fish and Wildlife Work Group, Recreation Work Group, and Water Level Management Task Force. The Army Corps historically approves projects recommended by the RRF. This looks to be the most promising avenue to pursue the Lake Pepin Island Building and Drawdown projects.
The projects would be initiated by the Minnesota DNR and/or Wisconsin DNR. The majority of floodplain from Bay City to the head of the Wisconsin Channel near Red Wing is actually in the State of Wisconsin. Therefore, the NESP and EMP projects to the Wisconsin side of the main channel will need Wisconsin as the sponsor or a co-sponsor.
There are four potential funding sources for implementing Lake Pepin restoration efforts:
I. Navigation Environmental Sustainability Program (NESP)
II. Environmental Management Program (EMP)
III. Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance of the 9-ft navigation channel (O&M)
IV. Minnesota Legacy (Clean Water and Outdoor Heritage)
The Army Corps of Engineers would be the entity responsible for implementing efforts under NESP, EMP, and O&M. The state of Minnesota would be responsible for implementing projects under the Minnesota Legacy program. It is important to note that Congress is considering phasing out EMP and providing all ecosystem restoration funding through NESP, but this has yet to happen.
Under NESP, projects below the Ordinary High Water level or on federal lands would be 100% federally funded. This could include island building and drawdowns in Lake Pepin. The NESP has received appropriation to date for planning purposes only for the Mississippi River from Minnesota to St. Louis ($8-12 million/year over the last 2-3 years). NESP also includes additional language for implementing poolwide water level management.
Under EMP, island projects in Lake Pepin would be cost shared 65% federal and 35% non-federal. Drawdowns could not be funded under EMP. The EMP averages around $18 million in annual appropriations, which funds both the habitat restoration and long-term monitoring components.
O&M funding is specific to maintaining the navigation channel and lock and dam infrastructure, but under certain situations has been used to help construct islands (providing sand) and complete additional dredging prior to implementing drawdowns. O&M funding would need to be directly tied to navigation maintenance or improvements.
Minnesota Legacy amendment was passed in November 2008 and is intended to fund both water quality and habitat improvement projects. This could potentially include island projects and water level drawdowns in Lake Pepin, however, the program is new and the types of projects and funding allocations are currently being developed. It may be possible to link Legacy funding with EMP to provide the non-federal cost share for island projects.
As a result of a 1970 lawsuit settlement involving the state of Wisconsin and the arbitrary dumping of sediment and sand, the River Resources Forum (RRF) was established. It is made up of the Fish & Wildlife DNRs of the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa; Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District; US Fish and Wildlife Service; US Coast Guard; the Departments of Transportation of Minnesota and Wisconsin; various navigation industry representatives, and non-government organizations. They meet three times a year to coordinate on navigation and ecosystem topics. Several work groups provide recommendations to the RRF on ecosystem and navigation projects, including the Fish and Wildlife Work Group, Recreation Work Group, and Water Level Management Task Force. The Army Corps historically approves projects recommended by the RRF. This looks to be the most promising avenue to pursue the Lake Pepin Island Building and Drawdown projects.
The projects would be initiated by the Minnesota DNR and/or Wisconsin DNR. The majority of floodplain from Bay City to the head of the Wisconsin Channel near Red Wing is actually in the State of Wisconsin. Therefore, the NESP and EMP projects to the Wisconsin side of the main channel will need Wisconsin as the sponsor or a co-sponsor.
Follow the Money
Densely wooded bluffs tower 400 feet over one of the world's great rivers; timber rattlenskes nest in rocky outcrops while bald eagles soar overhead; hidden behind the bluffs, small farms nestle among green hills, shady pastures and clear trout streams. To people who think of the Midwest as endless cornfields under a flat horizon, Lake Pepin, on the upper Mississippi River between Minnesota and Wisconsin, is a stunning surprise.
- Susan Allen Toth
- Susan Allen Toth