The agreement provides funding to the lake county soil and water conservation district (LCSWCD) to conduct a feasibility study and design for the beaver and baptism rivers in areas that are…

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) provides $191,320.00 to the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD) in Minnesota to conduct feasibility studies and design plans for restoration projects on the Beaver and Baptism Rivers. The goal is to address significant erosion and habitat degradation in these Minnesota Lake Superior North Shore streams that provide spawning and wintering habitat for native brook trout. The project will involve tasks such as modeling, visual representations, landowner coordination, cost estimates, topographic surveys, morphological assessments, and hydrologic/hydraulic modeling. The expected outcomes include restoration of 14.5 acres of degraded riparian habitat, 0.5 miles of aquatic connectivity, and improved water quality and aquatic life habitat by reducing turbidity. The award period is from November 1, 2024 to October 1, 2027.

The agreement provides funding to the lake county soil and water conservation district (LCSWCD) to conduct a feasibility study and design for the beaver and baptism rivers in areas that are significantly eroding and have degraded habitat. Both the beaver river and baptism river are minnesota lake superior north shore streams that provide spawning and wintering habitat to native brook trout. Activities:for each site, the LCSWCD will complete tasks in support of a feasibility study, such as modeling, providing visual representations, coordinating with landowners, and generating cost estimates and will complete tasks in support of a design, such as topographic surveys, morphological assessments, and hydrologic/hydraulic modeling.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the deliverables include two feasibility study reports and two sets of project design plans and specifications that can be used in permit applications and in seeking bids from contractors for implementation. The expected long-term outcomes include restoration of riparian corridor habitat, damage prevention to municipal and private property, and improved habitat for aquatic life by decreasing turbidity. Once this project is the implementation phase, IT will restore 14.5 acres of degraded habitat and 0.5 miles of connectivity for aquatic species. This project will benefit the citizens of lake county, MN.