In a couple weeks, we’ll celebrate the 7th annual Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo. It’ll be one of our best, with an unrivaled congregation of fly fishing and fly tying experts, conservationists and good members of Trout Unlimited and the Midwest fly fishing community.

Our field trip to the Vermillion River is a real chance to learn about an on-going endeavor to protect the Vermilion River south of the metro area and its trout population. It is an tribute to the Minnesota DNR and to Twin Cities Trout Unlimited that a level of optimism has been achieved. The Vermillion, as most TUers know, is at risk today, but in a far better place than it was just a few years ago. Come with us on Saturday morning March 27 to witness for yourself the good work being done to restore this wonderful trout stream, and to learn more about trout stream ecology and why so many of our trout waters are at risk as a result of creeping industrial development, home building and “bad” agricultural practices. The Vermillion tour is being conducted by Brian Nerbonne of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Twin Cities Trout Unlimited and the Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota, with the assistance of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This is a rare and fascinating opportunity to learn about one trout stream’s survival in an urban setting and the people who are protecting it. You’ll need to register by emailing mwfly@mwfly.com, or calling the Great Waters office at 962.920.9028. There is no charge for the tour, or transportation, but you’ll need to purchase an Expo pass for that day (or a weekend pass) before you leave on the bus at 7:30 a.m. Please be warned that the bus will leave at 7:30 a.m. sharp!

(Learn more about the Vermillion River Project at http://www.mntu.org/vermillion.html) 

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The University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center (WRC) and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are actively  eeking input on a plan to protect and preserve Minnesota’s lakes, streams, rivers and groundwater for the 21st century and beyond.

WRC and BWSR staff will conduct a series of listening sessions around the state to gather ideas and insights to inform the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework, a 25-year plan on how and when to make investments that will ensure the purity and abundance of Minnesota’s water for generations to come.  Citizens, local officials and water resources professionals are invited to attend the listening session in their area to provide input on this plan. 

In 2008, Minnesota voters approved a Constitutional Amendment to protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. The amendment created a three-eighths of a percent sales tax to fund, among other things, the protection and preservation of Minnesota’s freshwater. The amendment has the potential to raise more than $275 million a year, of which roughly one third will go toward protecting  and preserving Minnesota’s surface and ground water. The WRC has been charged by the Legislature to develop this framework to serve as a roadmap – with clear signposts on how and when to spend the money and on what initiatives – based on scientific research, expert opinion, and input from citizens.
 
Visit the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework project website at
wrc.umn.edu to learn more about the project.  You are also encouraged to visit the website to be one of 10,000 people to complete the “Minnesotans and Their Water” online survey.  Two separate but similar sessions are planned for each location. 

The agenda and locations for the listening sessions are noted below.

12:30-3:30pm  Regional water resource professionals
- Overview of Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
- One year status report and check-in on Clean Water Fund implementation
- Overview of Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework Project
- Quantitative Input Session
- Qualitative Input Session

4-6pm  Citizens and local officials
- Overview of Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
- Overview of Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework Project
- Quantitative Input Session
- Qualitative Input Session

LOCATIONS
St. Cloud (Jan 19) – Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, Hwy 23 & 15
Chanhassen (Jan 21) – Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Snyder Auditorium
Crookston (Feb 3) – UMC, Youngquist Auditorium
Brainerd (Feb 4) – Northland Arboretum
Duluth (Feb 10) – MPCA Building, 525 Lake Ave S, 4th Floor
Rochester (Feb 11) – Holiday Inn, South 1630 S Broadway
Marshall (Feb 16) – Best Western, 1500 E College Drive
West Saint Paul (Feb 18) – Thompson Park, Dakota Lodge

Toxic-Producing Mining is part of Minnesota Environmental Partnership’s 2010 Collaborative Priorities.

“Precious Waters” screenings

Jan. 11: Roseville, REI store, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13: Maple Grove, REI store, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21: Bloomington, REI store, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21: Woodbury, King of Kings Lutheran Church, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 26: West St. Paul, Dodge Nature Center, 7 p.m.
Jan. 28: St. Cloud, Paramount Theater, 7:30 p.m.

All screening details

This film addresses the threats of toxic pollution in northeastern Minnesota from new mining proposals. Staff from Friends of the Boundary Water Wilderness will be present at the showings to answer questions.

ST. PAUL — Three trout stream habitat restoration projects in Minnesota funded by the state’s Outdoor Heritage Fund have been completed by Minnesota Trout Unlimited (TU) chapters.

The restoration projects were completed on the Kabekona Creek in Hubbard County, Vermillion River in Dakota County, and Crow Spring and the Middle Branch of the Whitewater River in Olmsted County.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to utilize Minnesota’s dedicated funding for projects that will not only directly benefit Minnesota trout anglers but also every Minnesotan who values clean water and the economic benefits of cold-water angling throughout the state. We are honored to have this opportunity to improve Minnesota’s natural resources,” said John Lenczewski, chairman of TU’s Minnesota Council.

Last spring, at the recommendation of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, the Minnesota Legislature appropriated over $2 million from the state’s Outdoor Heritage Fund to Minnesota Trout Unlimited chapters to carry out 12 separate on-the-ground habitat projects in 10 Minnesota counties. The $2.05 million grant became available in July. By the time fieldwork ceased in mid-October, in order to protect fall trout spawning activity, three projects were completed.

The Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited worked to restore Kabekona Creek near Laporte, one of the state’s premier brook trout fisheries. This collaborative effort included the local landowner, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Division, and members of the Headwaters Chapter, who volunteered over 180 hours to plan, prepare and carry out the project. Additional savings were gained from donated material and equipment.

The Twin Cities Chapter of TU recently restored a 0.75-mile stretch of the Vermillion River near Farmington in Dakota Count, on a 46-acre site that was purchased by the DNR in 2008.  Twin Cities TU volunteers also restored 2,200 feet of Hay Creek near Red Wing, using non-state funds as part of their “match” for 2010 fieldwork being funded from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Volunteers from TU’s Hiawatha Chapter, in cooperation with the DNR’s Lanesboro regional fisheries office and local contractors, repaired and improved a 3.1-mile stretch of the Middle Branch of the Whitewater and Crow Spring in Olmsted County.

“We had a great summer; we were able to complete three projects on a very tight timeline. This wouldn’t have been possible without all the volunteers who came out to work, and the support we received from the DNR, local businesses and communities,” says Lenczewski, “People are excited about these projects and are glad to see their tax dollars directly improving their communities.”

In spring 2010, TU’s seven Minnesota chapters will continue working with the DNR and other conservation groups to complete the following projects: Hay Creek in Goodhue County; Lawndale Creek in Wilkin County; Little Rock Creek in Benton County; Mill Creek in Fillmore County; Pickwick Creek in Winona County; Trout Run Creek in Fillmore County; Straight River in Becker and Hubbard counties; Sucker River in St. Louis County; and a second project on the Vermillion River in Dakota County.

By June, 2011, Minnesota TU and its partners plan on having restored more than 14 miles of trout stream habitat.

For more information about Minnesota Trout Unlimited and these projects, go to the website, www.mntu.org.

Due to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, Minnesota Trout Unlimited has the opportunity to restore and enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in 11 watersheds across the state of Minnesota.  The projects will improve habitat for both game and non-game fish and wildlife species uniquely associated with coldwater trout streams and provide expanded recreational opportunities for Minnesota anglers.   Learn more about the 11 projects on our webpage dedicated to Lessard Projects

Arlington, Va.–Trout Unlimited (TU) chapters in Minnesota will receive $2,050,000 from Minnesota’s newly created Outdoor Heritage Fund for 12 specific on-the-ground projects in 10 Minnesota counties.

The grant, which becomes available July 1, will be used to restore over 14 miles of coldwater habitat throughout the state. The state’s seven TU chapters will complete the work over the next two years.

“We are honored to be given this opportunity to restore coldwater habitat for the citizens of Minnesota”, said John Lenczewski, TU’s Minnesota Council Chair.

The funding comes from a state Outdoor Heritage Fund which was created as a result of a constitutional amendment passed by state voters in 2008. For the next 25 years, 33 percent of a new state sales tax will be dedicated to the restoration, protection and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game and wildlife.

The following projects will be funded by the grant: Hay Creek, in Goodhue County; Kabekona Creek in Hubbard County; Lawndale Creek in Wilkin County; Little Rock Creek in Benton County; Whitewater River in Olmsted County; Mill Creek in Fillmore County; Pickwick Creek in Winona County; Trout Run Creek in Fillmore County; Straight River in Becker and Hubbard counties; Sucker River in St. Louis County and two projects on the Vermillion River in Dakota County.

“Habitat restoration improves wild trout fisheries and increases Minnesota anglers’ enjoyment of our coldwater ecosystems,” Lenczewski continued. “This tangibly reconnects people to the land and motivates them to support watershed improvements.”

Trout Unlimited is the nation’s largest coldwater conservation organization, with 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.