Nutrient Strategy Priority
The Driftless Area Land Conservancy will: 1. Work with municipalities and their consultants in a series of meetings to discuss scale and tactics for reducing phosphorus in the Pecatonica River. 2. In consultation with the Wisconsin DNR, county conservation staff in Iowa and Lafayette Counties, natural Resources Conservation Service, TNC, etc., identify 2 to 3 priority areas within the basin that address significant water impairment problems while offering significant aquatic habitat enhancement and cost-effective opportunities for phosphorus reduction. 3. Craft a Delphi Survey instrument targeting landowners within priority sub-watersheds to better understand farmer perspectives on water quality programs and practices and identify potential champions that we can partner with in the future. DALC will submit the draft survey to Jordan Petchenik, Department of Natural Resources Science Services, for approval prior to using survey. Petchenik can be reached at 608-266-8523. 4. Complete a 3-5 year plan for next steps within targeted sub-watersheds. Deliverables: Hold 3-5 meetings with municipalities. Write a summary document for each individual meeting that describes: who participated, the topics discussed, issues and concerns, possible solutions, conclusions and next steps. Identification of 2-3 targeted sub-watersheds within the Pecatonica basin to explore implementation of practices to reduce phosphorus loading and enhance habitat. Conduct a Delphi Survey within these priority watersheds. Provide a report summarizing the results from the Delphi Survey for each watershed. Share the results of the Delphi study with all participants and partners (e.g., landowners, agency staff, nonprofit partners, and municipalities). Provide a 3-5 year planning document focusing on future implementation efforts and share the document with our partners as a means to encourage future action and coordinate next steps.
Rivers Planning Grant
DALC will undertake a River Planning Project to prepare a restoration, maintenance and monitoring plan for the newly acquired Erickson Wetlands and the associated stretch of the Pecatonica River. Project deliverables are as follows: 1.) Gather and review data and documents that are relative to the project area and develop base maps, 2.) Develop a preliminary restoration, maintenance, and monitoring plan framework, guiding principles, goals, and objectives, 3.) Meet with Village of Argyle and partners to present and discuss the components of the preliminary plan, 4.) Prepare draft restoration, maintenance and monitoring plan, including cost projections, present the draft to partners for review and comment, and update the plan based on comments; 5.) Present the draft plan for comment at a public workshop update the plan based on comments, 6.) Completion of final maintenance and monitoring plan, present the plan to the Village, and have all documents, maps, and photos delivered by the contractor in hardcopy and electronic format.
Water Quality Planning
The Driftless Area Land Conservancy will sponsor a project to build organizational capacity to improve and enhance the water quality and aquatic habitat within the Pecatonica River. Project deliverables are as follows: 1.) Complete an organizational assessment by working with a capacity building consultant to develop effective community engagement and outreach strategies, 2.) Develop strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, 3.) Identify and prioritize critical stream segments and/or sub-watersheds to accomplish targeted water quality goals and/or aquatic habitat restoration, 4.)Reach out to willing landowners in targeted areas to seek their interest in floodplain and/or stream restoration protection effort, 5.)Expand student knowledge of the Pecatonica River ecosystem and engage them in projects that can provide data for agency and nonprofit scientists by giving at least three presentations and encouraging science programs to collect and/or expand their water quality monitoring, 6.) Complete a community outreach strategy and action plan for 2013 by November, 2012, 7.)Increase membership by 25% in the final quarter of 2012, 8.) Participate in at least two community events within the basin by June 30, 2013, 9.)Participate in at least four targeted outreach events within the basin such as formal presentations or field trips prior to June 30, 2013.
Watershed Mapping or Assessment
Southwest Badger Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. will build local understanding of and support for the restoration, protection and management of grassland habitat in the headwaters of the Sugar and Pecatonica Rivers.
Information and Education
The Gratiot Sportsman's Club will: 1) establish the Pecatonica River Enhancement Council as a nonprofit, Chapter 181 corporation with the state of Wisconsin and achieve 501(c ) (3) status with the IRS, 2) recruit a diverse membership for active participation within the Pecatonica River Enhancement Council, 3) promote river awareness and education through newsletters, brochures, open houses, and field days, and 4) develop a long term strategic plan addressing wetland preservation, watershed land use, riparian zone conditions, water quality, recreational use, and public access.
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
Water Quality Planning
Pecatonica River Large River Survey
Nine Key Element Plan
Upper West Branch Pecatonica River PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan - The purpose of a priority watershed plan is to access the specific causes and critical sources of the water quality problems and identify the most practicable means of abating those pollution problems.
Monitor or Assess Watershed Condition
Conduct a comprehensive review of waters in watershed to update the watershed plan, stream narratives (if possible) and to gather background information on Silver Spring as a "pre-Phosphorus index" project look-see.