The water resources of Dickinson County, Iowa and Jackson County, Minnesota provide an important source of recreation, drinking water and aesthetic enjoyment for residents and visitors. Good water quality is vital to the region’s economy and enhances the quality of life for those who live and visit the area. The primary threats to the region’s water quality are from agricultural nutrients, soil erosion, human and livestock waste, storm water contaminants, urban development and loss of natural wetlands. Other threats include potential spills of hazardous materials and invasion of aquatic nuisance species.

Founded in the late 1980’s, the mission of the Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance is to protect and improve the water resources affecting Dickinson County, Iowa

This strategic plan will serve to guide the coordinated efforts of the Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance and its partners from October 1, 2001 to June 30, 2004. It will also help serve as a guide and evaluation tool for the Dickinson County Water Quality Commission and other current and potential partners. The Alliance and its partners will develop and implement comprehensive programs for: Emergency Response, Assessment and Evaluation, Water and Land Protection, Education, and Coordination.

1. Protect water resources from spills and aquatic nuisance species with adequate

1. Implement a comprehensive action plan to protect water resources in the event of contaminant spill(s)

1. Identify sources of potential contamination
2. Develop strategy for emergency response
3. Acquire and maintain necessary equipment and training

1. Increase efforts to protect the aquatic resources from infestation by aquatic

1. Educate public to dangers posed by aquatic nuisance species
2. Support adoption of a boat ramp policy which fosters education of the public
3. Conduct volunteer boat ramp monitoring events throughout the boating season

1. Support program that enhances the enforcement of existing laws for Aquatic Nuisance Species
2. Support existing Eurasian Watermilfoil law and promote provisions for better enforcement
3. Promote enactment of laws which address all potential aquatic nuisance species

1. Identify extent of need
2. Develop secure funding source

2. Complete assessments and evaluation plans for watersheds affecting Dickinson Co.

1. Identify all sub-watershed boundaries and land uses

1. Evaluate available data and identify additional needs to determine sources and types of contaminants and nutrients

1. Identify what data exists and who has
2. Identify trends
3. Identify data needs and strategy for obtaining
4. Use Monitoring Data to Plan for Upland Planning

1. Work to complete source water assessments to protect existing and proposed water supplies in Iowa Great Lakes and Silver Lake

1. Establish & maintain logical watershed monitoring on all lakes

Lead organization: Iowa Lakeside Lab

2. Encourage citizen participation in and awareness of water monitoring through the IOWATER program

Lead organization: Dickinson County Conservation Board

3. Expand all water monitoring efforts in to Minnesota portions of Dickinson County watersheds.

Lead organization: Iowa Lakeside Lab, Dickinson County Conservation Board

4. Develop a county-wide inventory of sensitive natural areas which affect water quality

1. Insure no net loss of existing wetlands

1. Continue extended partnering for future watershed protection projects and grant funding
2. Provide technical assistance for wetland restoration, lakes watershed protection and wildlife habitat through the Private Lands Program
3. Watershed private lands specialist for the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed

1. Reduce soil erosion by an average of 10% on all cropland within the Dickinson County watersheds

1. Increase acres of conservation tillage in watersheds by 10%
2. Reduce nutrient and pesticide inputs on 600 acres
3. Create local incentive programs, such as Water Quality Incentive Program or local Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

1. Assist in the design of drainage district systems to maximize water quality benefits

Lead organization: SWCD

2. Assist IGL Sanitary Sewer District in connecting residences to the system

Lead organization: Lakes Associations, IGL Sanitary Sewer District

3. Encourage all jurisdictions to adopt the county shoreline ordinance

Lead organization: CWA Coordinator, Protective Associations

4. Reduce use of excessive or unnecessary lawn fertilization

1. Implement a voluntary control program
2. Enact legislation to allow for local control of fertilizer on shoreline properties

1. Control waste disposla

1. Investigate the creation of a county-wide compost site
2. Investigate the creation of a hazardous waste collection site
3. Investigate landfill impacts

1. Assist Minnesota partners in finding funds to work on upland erosion-control practices for areas that affect the watersheds of Dickinson County

3. Educate and communicate with area residents, businesses, visitors, elected officials

1. Complete a communication plan for each of the following objectives.

Lead organization: Friends of Iowa Lakeside Lab & Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

2. Educate area residents and businesses about "lake friendly living"

1. Develop comprehensive outline of topics & communications strategy
2. Undertake consistent and extensive outreach through public media and CWA news

1. Educate visitors to the value of the land and water resources and make them aware of environmental risks of recreational activities

1. Develop comprehensive outline of topics & communications strategy
2. Boat use pollution & aquatic nuisance species, discharges into lake, etc.

1. Educate Clean Water Alliance members on land, water and watershed issues, including water quality monitoring techniques and data, lake-friendly living, construction erosion control, etc.

Lead organization: Clean Water Alliance

2. Keep local, state and federal policy makers informed of activities of CWA through regular briefings, legislative presentation and public forms

3. Coordinate activities of agencies and partners

1. Coordinate activities of the Clean Water Alliance

1. Employ a CWA Coordinator
2. Assist CWA members in program and project development
3. Coordinate watersheds efforts with Minnesota partners
4. Produce and distribute annual report of activities
5. Expand membership of CWA
6. Encourage volunteer assistance

1. Develop and coordinate action plans for each of the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan

Lead organization: CWA Coordinator

2. Evaluate effectiveness of Three Year Long Range Plan implementation

Lead organization: CWA Coordinator

3. Develop project and program funding alternatives

For more information about this plan or to learn how you can help, contact:

Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance Coordinator

%Dickinson County Soil & Water Conservation District

2412 17^th Street

Spirit Lake, IA 51360-1047

Phone: 712.336.3782, ext 3

Email: steven.Anderson@ia.usda.gov

This strategic plan was produced and distributed in part with funds from the Ralph Green Innovations Fund for the Iowa Great Lakes, a special fund of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

12 Sept 02