balmm currents
Basin Alliance for the Lower Mississippi in Minnesota
April 10, 2001

BALMM STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION MOVING FORWARD: BALMM strategies from the
Lower Mississippi River Basin Plan Scoping Document are being further
developed and implemented on many fronts in southeastern Minnesota:
Soil Conservation on Row-Crop Land - A BALMM sub-committee led by Area 7
SWCDs met in late March to discuss which aspects of the strategy to
implement first. The group decided to focus on conservation tillage
adoption, and began building a strategy based on a combination of economic
incentives, information/education, and the use of existing federal and
county regulations. The group's ideas will be presented to the full BALMM
meeting April 18, and then taken up again for refinement with a target
implementation for this fall.
Landscape Buffers - The BALMM sub-committee, led by Bev Nordby and Mary
Kells, met once more following the March BALMM meeting to further develop a
buffer initiative. Elements of a draft strategy include land-use
inventorying and mapping to assist in targeting; education and outreach
using interns and involving private organizations; exploring the use of CRP
bonus payments; and monitoring and evaluation, including the use of sediment
boxes to measure the effectiveness of specific buffered sites, and accurate
tracking of buffer implementation.
ISTS/Unsewered Communities -- Preliminary discussions among the SE Minnesota
Water Resources Board, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and University of
Minnesota Extension on how to implement this part of the "Urban and Rural
Residential Land Management" BALMM strategy took place in March. A
"comprehensive watershed approach" to wastewater treatment" has been
sketched out and will be discussed at a June 6 "Sewage Summit" at
MPCA-Rochester.
Feedlot Management - County, SWCD and Extension staff from the eight
counties participating in a 319 grant that has been obtained to assist in
the implementation of the new Open Lot Agreement are planning how to use the
grant resources to complement current efforts. SWCDs have decided to locate
a portion of the technical assistance in the individual SWCDs themselves
rather than with the SE MN SWCD Technical Assistance Joint Powers Board,
where 2 FTEs were originally planned. This increased technical assistance,
combined with local and state resources being devoted to the feedlot issue,
can then act as a catalyst to build local capacity.
Nutrient Management/Manure Set-Aside Land-Two counties are applying for
grants to implement one of the more innovative parts of the BALMM nutrient
management strategy, to "explore opportunities for manure utilization
cropland set-aside program focusing on the exclusive use of manure for crop
nutrients." Fillmore county has applied for a BWSR Challenge Grant to
"provide incentives to livestock producers to set aside acres and apply
manure on an annual rotating basis to demonstrate the soil-building
benefits of manure. " Wabasha SWCD has applied for a grant from the
Minnesota Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation to implement "Sod
Option Strips." This project would try to determine the level of incentives
needed to encourage farmers to set aside contour strips of cropland for
spreading manure. The strips also would reduce the potential for cropland
runoff and soil erosion.
BWSR Challenge Grants from several counties and SWCDs are directed toward
specific BALMM strategies that also are reflected in local water and
conservation plans. A Mower County proposal would help to develop an
incentive program for establishing temporary vegetative cover on land in
canning crop production..... A Freeborn County proposal would conduct
feasibility studies for providing wastewater treatment to several unsewered
communities.... A Wabasha County proposal would conduct a nutrient
management pilot project to include at least 30 producers, working with
private crop consultants to reduce fertilizer purchases through improved
utilization of manure as a crop nutrient....A SE MN Water Resources Board
proposal would use the new karst exhibit and learning trunks to expand
public education on the sensitive karst landscape...An Olmsted County
proposal would explore how to design new transportation infrastructure
(bridges and culverts) to moderate peak flows and contribute to
sediment-reduction goals, all in the context of comprehensive storm water
management.
Research Proposal - Antibiotic losses from manured fields: A team of
University of Minnesota researchers led by Professor Satish Gupta, Dept. of
Soil, Water and Climate, is submitting a "Rapid Agricultural Response Fund
Proposal" to investigate antibiotic losses in runoff and drainage from
manured fields at three sites, including a karst setting. This research
would address a concern brought up at a BALMM Citizens Forum last November,
which subseqently has been incorporated into the Basin Plan Scoping
Document. See article below for more details on the problem.

FARM BILL FOCUS: Discussions at the last BALMM meeting on conservation
incentives and disincentives led to apparent agreement on several points.
One is the desirability of treating hay and pasture as program commodities
(along with corn, soybeans and wheat) in the next Farm Bill to remove
current incentives to convert land uses to increased row-crop production on
fragile, erosion-prone soils. Another point of agreement was widespread
support for the Conservation Security Act, which would offer farmers
payments in return for implementation of conservation incentives, defined in
three tiers. At that time, federal congressmen had planned to delay
consideration of the Conservation Title until next year, and deal with
commodity programs separately this year. However, Congress has agreed now
that the Conservation Title will be part of the Farm Bill Debate in the
House this year. BALMM will continue to draft a position on farm bill
issues...

H.R. 1321 "Conservation Security Act"---Amends the 1985 Food Security Act by
establishing a new Conservation Security Program to assist farmers in
promoting soil and water conservation, air and water quality protection,
diversity of flora and fauna, wetland restoration and conservation, wildlife
habitat restoration, environmentally sound management of invasive species,
and a variety of other similar conservation purposes. Owners and operators
of agricultural operations who wish to participate in this voluntary program
would develop a conservation security plan describing the particular
conservation practices they intend to implement on their lands. If the plan
is approved by USDA, the agency would enter into a conservation security
contract with the agricultural landowner or operator, whereby the landowner
would agree to implement the plan and maintain the conservation practices in
exchange for annual payments from USDA. Three tiers of conservation
practices would be established, with the highest annual payments made for
practices in Tier III. Tier I practices, for example, would include such
things as nutrient management, soil conservation, pest management, invasive
species management, irrigation water conservation, wildlife habitat
management, strip cropping, and contour farming. Annual payments for Tier I
practices would not exceed $20,000 and annual payments for Tier III
practices would not exceed $50,000. The bill also provides for technical
assistance for developing and implementing the conservation security
contracts. Introduced 3/29/01 by John Thune (R-SD) and five others,
including Leonard Boswell (D-IA).


VISION & PASSION - MISSING INGREDIENTS? The discussion at the BALMM meeting
on March 21, 2001 centered on how to modify existing and proposed
government-supported commodity and conservation programs to reach a stated
outcome of "water quality restoration and protection". This group, like
most groups, failed to discuss, or even acknowledge, the root cause of the
situation - an unstable agricultural system, created in part by
government-supported programs.

It is my understanding that the origin of current government agricultural
subsidies was associated with the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s and was
accelerated after World War II. Most of the people at the BALMM meeting are
too young to know any other form of agriculture in the U.S. Desperate
times, good intentions, and a seemingly common vision fueled the early
programs. Unfortunately, in recent years, the system has not been working
for most farmers, for the government, or for the environment. (Soil erosion
is still a major problem after 70 years of government programs!)

A major cause of the ag-related conservation and financial crisis seems to
be the lack of a common vision and passion for profitable farms, with
healthy surroundings, and dynamic communities. Instead, we have become
bogged down in trying to create a fix with the same tools that continue to
support the problem, namely, a system of laws and regulations used to prop
up an increasingly unstable agricultural situation.

The result is many farmers with an addictive dependency on government money
for survival, special interests that promote the status quo, frustrated
taxpayers, and bureaucratic procedures designed to maximize administrative
efficiency rather than foster meaningful change. Enough!

We are living in a time of rapid and dramatic change. It's time to make a
big step, at BALMM meetings and at other venues, to get back on track. Here
are some suggested actions.

1. Agree on a unified vision. Most people (both farmers and non-farmers)
want the same things: adequate income, healthy surroundings, and vibrant
communities. Work with others to develop and create ownership of a unified
vision.

2. Take actions with the vision in mind - as if we really mean it. For
example, create an atmosphere where farmers farm the land, instead of
farming the government; and pay farmers a reasonable price for their
services of food, stewardship, and beauty.

The work ahead will be difficult, messy, and time-consuming. Our task now
is to put the core issues on the table and get started.

- Larry Johnson Winona, MN


AGGREGATE OPERATIONS LISTED BY COUNTY: The BALMM strategy on Aggregate
Mining calls for development of an inventory of known aggregate mines. Jim
Struddel of the MPCA came across just such an inventory when looking for
something else. Here are two web sites that may be helpful in locating
aggregate sites by county:
http://www.mrr.dot.state.mn.us/geotechnical/aggregate/maps.asp
http://www.mnroad.dot.state.mn.us/geotechnical/aggregate.asis.asp

MINNESOTANS SEE DECLINING WATER QUALITY, SURVEY SHOWS:
Eight of 10 Minnesotans fish, boat or participate in shoreland recreational
activities, according to a survey conducted by the University of Minnesota
Center for Survey Research. Almost all of the respondents are satisfied
with their water-related outdoor recreation, but more respondents perceive
water quality declining than improving. Most shoreland users said that
their experiences have stayed the same or improved in the last 10 years;
most who fish or boat said their experiences have stayed the same or gotten
worse.
The survey questions, which were designed and sponsored by Minnesota
Planning and the Department of Natural Resources, will be asked biennially
to provide trend information. The study is part of an ongoing statewide
effort to understand a range of recreational water uses beyond boating and
fishing.
Forty-three percent of respondents had fished in the past 12 months, 52
percent were recreational boaters, and 53 percent participated in
shoreland-based recreational activities such as bird watching, sightseeing
and hiking.
Ninety-seven percent of boaters, 85 percent of anglers and 97 percent of
shoreland users said that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their
experience. About 60 percent of respondents in each group said that their
experiences have stayed about the same during the last 10 years.
Experiences have gotten better for 17 percent of boaters, worse for 22
percent. Experiences are better now for 11 percent of anglers, worse for 30
percent. Experiences are better now for 32 percent of shoreland users,
worse for 10 percent.
Declining water quality conditions were perceived by 47 percent of boaters,
38 percent of anglers, 38 percent of shoreland users. Improving water
quality was noted by 13 percent of boaters, 12 percent of anglers, and 13
percent of shoreland users.

Satisfaction with water-related experiences, along with other water resource
conditions, are indicators that are being measured through Governor Jesse
Ventura's Water Management Unification Initiative. The framework of the
initiative is reported in "Minnesota Watermarks: Gauging the Flow of
Progress 2000?2010." Implementation of the initiative is continuing through
the efforts of the Environmental Quality Board and teams in Minnesota's
seven water basins. "Watermarks" is available on the Internet at
www.mnplan.state.mn.us/eqb/. For a printed copy, call 651-296-3985.

STREAMS VITAL IN REMOVING NITROGEN - STUDY: Streams play a bigger role
than previously thought in removing pollutants before they get to larger
waterways, scrubbing as much as half of the excess nitrogen from fertilizer
runoff and auto emissions, according to the latest edition of Nature.
A nationwide study of 12 streams found that the smaller the stream - with
its shallow depth and high surface-to-volume ratio - the more quickly
nitrogen was removed, scientists said in the latest edition of the journal
Science. Previously, experts studying pollution focused on larger
bodies of water rather than small streams, considering them more like
gutters that simply
carried nitrogen to lakes, rivers and oceans.
Bruce Peterson of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole,
Massachusetts, one of the study's 15 co-authors, said the finding could
have important implications for land-use policies. He said human efforts to
control streams by covering or channeling them have made them less
effective at nitrogen removal.

Streams remove nitrogen by providing a habitat for nitrogen-absorbing
organisms and by releasing nitrogen from the water into the atmosphere.
"Small tributary streams in our watersheds, the ones most likely to be
plowed under or buried in
culverts or destroyed by human activity, have a very important role to play
in removing nitrogen from water," Peterson said.

"If we restored and took care of all the small streams on the landscape, our
water quality coming down rivers would be greatly improved," he said. The
scientists studied streams in Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan,
New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico and
Tennessee. They dripped trace amounts of ammonium - a form of nitrogen -
into the streams and measured how much of it was absorbed by plants and
animals and how much stayed in the water and was washed downstream. The
researchers sampled water, algae and other plant life, bacteria, fungi and
insects for six weeks at each site. -- Eric Beech, REUTERS NEWS SERVICE

ANTIBIOTICS WASHING INTO STREAMS: Antibiotics fed to livestock and applied
to crop fields in manure are washing into streams, where scientists fear
they are contributing to a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according
to a March 29 article in The Des Moines Register. Health experts fear that
people will get sick when they drink untreated water or go fishing, canoeing
or swimming. "We view this as an emerging issue primarily because we don't
know much about
it," said Richard Kelley, a longtime water-quality researcher at the
University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory's office in Des Moines. "It has the
potential to be a serious problem." An estimated 40 percent of the 50
million pounds of antibiotics produced in the United States each year are
used on livestock. Many are common human medicines such as tetracycline,
penicillin and erythromycin.
Farmers feed the medicines to livestock to keep the animals healthy and
because studies have shown the animals grow faster if they eat antibiotics.

Dr. David Wallinga of the private Minneapolis-based Institute for
Agriculture
and Trade Policy has researched the issue. He said that even those who don't
immediately get sick could have problems later because bacteria can trade
genetic qualities that lead to resistance to certain drugs. That means
bacteria that don't currently cause human health problems eventually could.

The Union of Concerned Scientists, in a report called "Hogging It," reported
that more than half of the drugs fed to apparently healthy livestock are the
same types used on humans.

L.D. McMullen, general manager of Des Moines Water Works, said chlorine
treatment kills many harmful bacteria in tap water. He said residents face a
risk if a treatment plant would fail, even for a short time. McMullen, who
has led national committees that recommend water-quality standards, said
that only 5 percent to 10 percent of all microbes have been identified. He
worries about what could be breeding in an antibiotic-laced environment.
"Maybe we are generating superbugs in streams that are going to be very
difficult to treat," he said. -- Perry Beeman, Des Moines Register


STAKEHOLDER NETWORK UPDATE: New additions to the Upper Mississippi Basin
Stakeholder Network (umbsn) website, www.umbsn.org. include:

1. The UMBSN will be featuring the political cartoons of Ding Darling.
These conservation and political treasures are being acquired from the
Ding Darling Foundation (http://www.dingdarling.org/). They will begin
appearing on the site as soon as we receive the CD.

2. A new direct link to the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy's
Food and Agriculture Document Library. It includes many interesting and
relevant publications on Farm Policy, Farm Crisis, and Agriculture
Legislation.

3. Read or listen to the House Agriculture Committee's current and
recent testimony reviewing farm commodity programs via our new direct
link.

4. Look at what the National Association of Conservation Districts
(NACD) think about farm policy needs in their working paper, "Vision for
Conservation In the 2002 Farm Bill".

5. I also recommend the summary section of the Economic Research
Service's paper, "Agri-Environmental Policy at the Crossroads:
Guideposts on a Changing Landscape".

6. Finally, for insight on how the Upper Mississippi River has changed
both socially and environmentally, check out our paper, "Ecological,
Economic, and Institutional History of the Upper Mississippi River", by
Dr. Calvin Fremling and Barry Drazkowski, St. Mary's University of
Minnesota.


TED TURNER FOUNDATION OFFERS ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT PROGRAM: The Turner
Foundation, Inc. is soliciting new grant proposals for the
protection of rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, oceans, and other water
systems from contamination, degradation, and other abuses. Priorities
include strengthening the advocacy, outreach, and technical capabilities of
organizations addressing the protection of water systems; stopping further
degradation of water-dependent habitats from new dams, diversions, and other
large infrastructure projects; reducing wasteful water use by conservation;
promoting
allocation of water specifically for environmental purposes, including
habitat restoration and fish and wildlife protection; supporting efforts to
improve public policies affecting water protection, including initiatives to
secure pollution prevention and habitat protection; reducing pesticide use;
and strengthening the
advocacy, outreach, and technical capabilities addressing the
disproportionate use and location of toxic material in poor and rural areas.

Although the geographic focus of this program is the states of New Mexico,
Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida,
consideration will be given to some national and international programs as
well.

Contact Peter Bahouth, Executive Director, Turner Foundation, Inc. One
CNN Center, Suite 1090 - South Tower, Attn: Program Department, Atlanta,
Georgia 30303, Phone: +1 (404) 681-9900, Contact Email
turnerfi@mindspring.com . Visit their website at
http://www.turnerfoundation.org/turner/water.html

LIFE AT THE WATER'S EDGE: Living in Harmony With Your Backyard Stream
This guide is a collection of important facts, ideas and great tips to
protect, enhance and restore the stream in your backyard. Although aimed
at homeowners who live near a stream, this free and colorful guide
describes a few simple actions anyone can follow to increase their "stream
of
conscience-ness". It is a new publication providing inexpensive techniques
for property owners to maintain and improve streams in their backyard. In a
brief
dozen pages, the publication explains the importance of stream stewardship
and
offers six simple solutions to help maintain stream health. The publication
was developed by the Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan (RAP), the
Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District and the Summit Soil and
Water Conservation District with funding from the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--Great Lakes
Office. Please call 216-241-2414 ext. 610 to reserve a copy. It is also
available by contacting the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District at
216-524-6580, or the Summit Soil and Water Conservation District at
330-929-2871. For more information visit:
http://community.cleveland.com/cc/cuyahogariver?display=news

SOIL QUALITY INSTITUTE:
The web address for this information is
http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/kit2.html

SOIL QUALITY TEST KIT GUIDE: Thanks to Terry Lee, Olmsted County, for
discovering information on The Soil Quality Test Kit Guide. The 82-page
booklet containing procedures for 12 on-farm tests, an interpretive section
for each test, data recording sheets and a section on how to build the kit.
The Soil Quality Institute does not build or sell soil quality test kits. A
soil quality test kit can be purchased from Gempler's
<http://www.gemplers.com> or from Murray FFA
<http://www.geocities.com/murray_ffa/>. (SQI is not affiliated with either
organization.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click here for an Overview <overview.html> of the kit
and guide. This 3-page document is suitable for distribution as a fact
sheet.
DISCLAIMER: Trade Names are used solely to provide specific information.
Mention of a tradename does NOT constitute a guaranty of the products by the
US Department of Agriculture nor does it imply endorsement by the Department
or the Natural Resources Conservation Service over comparable products that
are not named.
The Soil Quality Test Kit Guide:
Cover <Attach/kitcover.pdf> Includes the Table of Contents,
acknowledgements, and preface
Text <Attach/kitguide.pdf> Includes:
Section I - Test Procedures contains step-by-step instructions for running
each of the tests included in the Soil Quality Test Kit. It is fully
illustrated with pictures to show the procedures and equipment needed to
complete each step. Appendix D includes instructions for building a test
kit.
Section II - Background and Interpretive Guide describes the background of
the tests and provides guidance on interpreting the results of the tests
Individual chapters of Section I (1 to 6 pages each):
1.Measuring Soil Quality <Attach/chpt1.pdf> - sampling and site
characterization
2. Soil Respiration Test <Attach/chpt2.pdf> - indicates the soil's
biological activity
3.Infiltration Test <Attach/chpt3.pdf> - measures the soil's ability to take
in water through the soil surface
4. Bulk Density Test <Attach/chpt4.pdf> - measures the soil's compaction or
pore space
5. Electrical Conductivity (EC) Test <Attach/chpt5.pdf> - measures the salt
concentration in the soil
6. pH Test <Attach/chpt6.pdf> - measures the soil's acidity /alkalinity
7. Soil Nitrate Test <Attach/chpt7.pdf> - measure the soil's Nitrate levels
8. Aggregate Stability Test <Attach/chpt8.pdf> - measures the amount of
water stable aggregates
9. Slake Test <Attach/chpt9.pdf> - estimates the stability of soil fragments
in water
10. Earthworm Test <Attach/chpt10.pdf> - measures the amount of earthworms
in the soil
11. Soil Observations and Estimations <Attach/chpt11.pdf> - how to observe
soil structure, root patterns,
and estimate topsoil depth, penetration resistance and soil texture in the
soil profile
12. Water Quality Tests <Attach/chpt12.pdf> - Salinity of Water and
Nitrate/Nitrite levels in water
Appendix:

Appendix A,B, and C <Attach/apndxabc.pdf>
A. References
B. Soil Respiration (alternative method)
C. EC and pH Meter Maintenance and Calibration
Appendix D. <Attach/apndxd.pdf> Building a Soil Quality Test Kit
Data Sheets. <Attach/datashts.pdf>Worksheet and Soil Data Work Sheets
Section II <Attach/section2.pdf>




Address Change: The Cannon River Watershed Partnership has moved to a new
location in Northfield. The new address is 1325 Armstrong Road, Suite 118,
Northfield, MN 55057. Phone 507/645-7094. E-mail staff@crwp.net The
Partnership's new website, still under construction, can be found at
http://www.crwp.net

COMING EVENTS:

BALMM Monthly Meeting: April 18, 9:30 - noon, River Bend Nature Center,
Faribault. Agenda includes a presentation on the Prairie Creek Waterwshed
Project, an introduction to the Cannon River Joint Powers Board, a
discussion of a basin approach to fecal coliform bacteria TMDLs; an update
on the BALMM strategies for landscape buffers and conservation tillage; and
further work on developing a BALMM Farm Bill Strategy.

Environmental Education Workshop: 9:30 to 3:00, Eagle Bluff Learning Center,
Lanesboro. Are you confused by acronyms like IEP, and EEAB? Do you wonder
if your program is effective? Are you working with a variety of age levels,
including adults in different settings? Nonformal educators often find
themselves with more questions than answers when preparing educational
programs. This
workshop will provide you with the basics to understand EE in Minnesota.
Topics include environmental education verses environmental information,
EE vocabulary and acronyms, principles of teaching and laws of learning,
multiple intelligences and learning styles, adult learning, and
evaluation. Come and find out what is happening in the state as well as
taking home a folder of resources for the future.

"Tools for Educating about the Environment" is provided free as a capacity-
building workshop sponsored by Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance
and Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center. RSVP is essential as there
is limited space available. For more information or to RSVP, please
contact Su Beran, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance at
507-692-2020 or email at su.beran@moea.state.mn.us.

Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Conference, May 3-5, 2001, Craguns Resort,
Brainerd, Minnesota. Sponsored by the Minnesota Lakes Association
And Rivers Council of Minnesota. Called "Building Bridges to Manage
Minnesota's Surface Waters", the conference will provide practical tools
for citizens, lakes and river groups, watershed and lake improvement
districts, local government decision makers and resource management
professionals and educators. The program features 2 special workshops and 24
breakout sessions on shoreland management, nutrients, exotic species,
aquatic plants, impacts of
development, land conservation, septic systems, mercury, state and federal
legislative initiatives, working with local government, building healthy
organizations and much more. Over 100 exhibitors, poster sessions on
citizen-based lake and rivers projects, and prize drawings will be part of
the conference. Co-Sponsors include the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Board of Water &
Soil Resources, and the Water Resources Center, U. of Minnesota.
For more information or a brochure, call (320) 259-6800 or
(218) or (800)-515-5253; or download agenda and registration materials at
www.mnlakesassn.org.

Fillmore Mississippi Heritage Conference 2001, May 9- 11, Touchstone Energy
Place at RiverCentre, St. Paul, Minnesota. This annual conference is
dedicated to the revitalization of the Upper Mississippi River and its
communities. The 2001 conference focuses on the intricate interdependence of
local redevelopment efforts and regional initiatives. The relationship
between these different, yet
similar, agendas has served as a catalyst for new opportunity and
greater benefits - to both local communities and the region. Bring your
river project and learn how it fits into a greater effort and how
leveraging that relationship can generate positive returns for decades
to come. For more information, contact Jennifer Hawskins at 612-625-2636 or
e-mail hawki004@umn.edu

ABOUT BALMM: A locally led alliance of land and water resource agencies has
formed in order to coordinate efforts to protect and improve water quality
in the Lower Mississippi River Basin. The Basin Alliance for the Lower
Mississippi in Minnesota (BALMM) covers both the Lower Mississippi and Cedar
River Basins, and includes a wide range of local, state and federal resource
agencies. Those involved in forming the alliance include Soil and Water
Conservation District managers, county water planners and regional staff of
the Board of Soil and Water Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Department of Natural Resources,
Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission, the Southeastern Minnesota
Water Resources Board, the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, and others.
BALMM meetings are open to all interested individuals and organizations. See
"Coming Events" for details.

Send comments and items for future editions to:
balmm currents editor: Norman Senjem, MPCA
Phone: 507/280-3592
Fax: 507/280-5513
norman.senjem@pca.state.mn.us