balmm currents Basin Alliance for the Lower Mississippi in Minnesota February 28, 2003 BALMM TO 'CONVENE ON COLIFORM' AT CANNON RIVER SUMMIT: In lieu of the regularly scheduled March meeting, BALMM will convene as an educational forum in March, at the Cannon River Summit 8:00 to 3:30 on March 18 in Faribault at the American Legion Hall. The theme of the 2003 summit is "Fecal Coliform Bacteria: Protecting Public Health and the Environment." (see details of agenda in next item). By attending this summit, BALMM members will be treated to a detailed look at the health problems posed by pathogens in surface waters, current degrees of fecal coliform bacteria contamination, the main sources of the problem, and working toward concrete solutions. This discussion will set the stage for the April 16 BALMM meeting, where possible revisions to the Regional Fecal Coliform TMDL Implementation Plan will be discussed. The final implementation plan will set the stage for the development of additional projects for funding through federal programs such as 319 implementation grants and the farm program. Given the current situation regarding state and local funding, continued progress through local partners is likely to depend increasingly on securing federal grants. The registration deadline for the Cannon River Summit 2003 has been extended to Friday, March 7, to accommodate BALMM's request. Please register ASAP by calling: 507/645-7094 Send a purchase order or pay at the door $35 CRWP Member $45 CRWP Nonmember $60 CRWP Membership + Registration Directions to the Cannon River Summit at American Legion Hall, Faribault FROM THE EAST Follow Hwy 60 W cross the Straight River viaduct. Turn right from the bridge and continue north approx. 4 blocks to the Legion Hall, on the right, at 112 NE 5th Street. FROM HWY 35 Take Faribault exit 56 and go east on Hwy 60. Continue on Hwy 60 to 1st Ave N.E. Turn left on 1st Ave N.E. The Legion Hall is 1 block down on the right, at 112 NE 5th Street. FECAL COLIFORM HEADLINES CANNON RIVER SUMMIT: "Fecal Coliform Bacteria: Protecting Public Health and the Environment," is the focus of the Cannon River Summit 2003, scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 8:00 - 3:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, Faribault. The annual event is sponsored by the Cannon River Watershed Partnership. PROGRAM SCHEDULE 8:00 - 9:00 Registration 9:00 - 9:15 Welcome 9:15 - 9:40 Why Do Fecal Coliform Matter?...........Dr. Steven Kirkhorn, M.D., Medical Director of Occupational Health Resources at Immanuel St. Joseph's-Mayo Health System, Mankato Mayo Clinic 9:40 - 10:15 State of the Watershed....................Justin Watkins, Watershed Analyst, CRWP 10:15 - 10:30 BREAK SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION 10:30 - 12:00 Break Out Sessions A. The Human Dimension: Unsewered Communities, Wastewater Bypasses, Failing Septics * Dean Nelson, Owatonna Waste Treatment * Doug Malchow, Southeast Minnesota Wastewater Initiative * Ken Olson, University of Minnesota Extension B. Agricultural Impacts: Are Feedlots the Only Problem? * Dave Wall, Pollution Control Agency * Dan Vermilyea, Steele County Feedlot Officer * Howard Moechnig, Natural Resources Conservation Service 12:00 - 1:00 LUNCH GETTING IT CLEANED UP 1:00 - 1:30 Straight River TMDL/Regional TMDL as Framework for Action * Lee Gankse, Pollution Control Agency, Rochester 1:30 - 2:30 Local Solutions to Fecal Coliform Problems * Bruce Blakesley and Michelle Stindtman, Faribault County Ag Center * Mike Frauenkron, Fillmore County SWCD * Mary Darragh Schmitz, Chisago County Environmental Services 2:30 - 2:45 BREAK 2:45 - 3:30 Next Steps: Practices, Policies and Rules * Gretchen Sabel, Pollution Control Agency * David Morrison, Pollution Control Agency, Rochester For more information, contact the CRWP at 507-645-7094. CREP UPDATE: As a final step before sending the Southeast Minnesota CREP proposal to Washington D.C., the state Farm Service Agency of the USDA wants to see definite signs of support from Minnesota. That support is now taking shape in the form of legislation introduced to fund the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve for $7 million in both the House (HF397) and the Senate (SF392). Supporting HF397 in the House are representatives Davids, Hoppe, Urdahl, Jeff Anderson, Hausman, Cornish, and Kelliher. Supporting SF392 are Senators Dille, Frederickson, Kierlin, Sams and Sparks. Passage of these bills would represent a giant step toward final approval of the Southeast Minnesota CREP application, and a solid start on its implementation. For more information on CREP, contact Bev Nordby at 507-434-2603 or brn@nmaustin.fsc.usda.gov . CONSERVATION TILLAGE TRAINING WORKSHOPS COMING: The University of Minnesota has scheduled four workshops on March 3 and March 4 to introduce a publication designed to help farmers and agricultural advisors gain a better understanding of how tillage practices affect soil erosion, water quality, and profitability. The program will include the publication authors, who will discuss key farm management practices needed to maintain yields and manage production risks associated with reduced tillage and no-till systems. The workshops also will cover tillage implements and systems that are used to reduce soil erosion with little or no impact on yields. Contact Tim Wagar at 507-280-2866, or email at wagar001@umn.edu if you plan to attend. Local government staff are urged to invite area farmers and ag advisors. Publications will be available free of charge at the workshops. March 3 Workshops: * Woody's, Dexter, 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. * Cannon Valley Coop, Kenyon, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. March 4 Workshops: * Tavern on the Green, Plainview, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. * Branding Iron, Preston, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 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