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1602 Hwy 23 North Sandstone, MN 55072 Phone: (320) 216-4240
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Failing Septic? Low on cash?
Pine SWCD is participating in a revolving loan fund with Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Aitkin and Isanti SWCD’s to offer a low interest loan for new septic systems.
Specific Loan Information: - existing septic must be deemed failing by licensed designer/installer/inspector - residential septic systems only (not city/sewered communities) - 3% loan for 10 years
Fill out an application and submit it to Pine SWCD with copies of 2 years' income taxes, and 2 bids from licensed installers. The Pine SWCD will review the application in their regular monthly board meeting. Once the Pine SWCD board approves it, the application and information is forwarded to Kanabec SWCD, who works directly with the lending institution. Homeowners will be contacted directly by the lending institution regarding loan approval.
For more information or an application, contact Jill at 320-216-4241, or jmcarlie@co.pine.mn.us
2 of the Pine SWCD Supervisor positions are up for election in 2010. Go to the District Information page to find out which district positions are up for election this year, and what you need to know to become a SWCD supervisor.
Pine County Platbooks
on Sale The official 2007 Pine County Platbook is on sale now for $10!! While supplies last! at Pine Soil & Water Conservation District Office in Sandstone.
Cash and check are accepted. (We are not able to accept credit/debit cards at this time.) Books can be mailed out, however postage charges will apply. Contact our office for information at (320) 216-4240.
Books are also on sale at the following locations around the county: Moose Lake Coop, Petry's Bait, Pine County Courier, Duxbury Store, and First National Bank of the North. 2010 Area III Envirothon (Southern Region) The 2010 Area III Envirothon (southern region) was held on Monday, May 3rd at Camp Miller in Sturgeon Lake. 15 teams of 5 students each participated. These students came from Cromwell-Wright, Willow River, Isle, and Wrenshall High Schools. The Envirothon is an outdoor educational competition for students in grades 9-12. Winners at this years' event are: 1st Place: Willow River 2nd Place: Cromwell-Wright 3rd Place: Cromwell-Wright 4th Place: Willow River 5th Place: Wrenshall Team Spirit: Willow River
Pine County Local Water Management Plan Draft Available for Viewing
In March 2008, the County Board passed a resolution designating Pine SWCD to begin updating the Pine County Local Water Management Plan.
2 priority concerns were identified: 1. Water Quality 1a. Improving impaired waters 1b. Maintaining unimpaired waters 2. Natural Resources Conservation, Utilization and Education
The Priority Concerns Scoping Document was written and approved. Goals and objectives for the priority concerns were developed. District staff then wrote the draft plan.
The WG approved draft plan with changes on Feb 5, 2010 - unanimously. The Water Plan Task Force approved draft plan with more changes on Feb 18, 2010 - unanimously. The SWCD board approved draft plan on Feb 23, 2010 – unanimously. (the working group consists of 13 people, and the Task Force consists of approx 36 people) These groups all recommend approval of the plan by the county board, which would allow the district to forward the plan to BWSR for agency comment and approval by the state.
On March 16, 2010, a public hearing was held by the Pine County Board of Commissioners. A brief summary of the water plan and the process to create it was given by district staff. Verbal comments from the public were taken. District staff presented the water plan to the North Region Subcommittee of BWSR on June 16th. The committee recommended approval of the plan to the BWSR board at their meeting on June 23rd. Once the BWSR board approves the plan, district staff will present it to the county board of commissioners for final approval and adoption.
Click here to view the draft plan (effective 6/10/10). Please contact our office with any questions at 320-216-4241.
Conservation St Croix A group of 9 Soil & Water Conservation Districts have partnered up to work on a TMDL that encompasses the entire St Croix Watershed Basin. Carlton, Aitkin, Pine, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Chisago, Isanti, Anoka, and Washington district boards have recently signed a Memo of Agreement to work together on the basin-wide TMDL with MPCA. Other agencies involved are: BWSR, MN DNR, WI DNR, and the St Croix River Association. Once the TMDL Implementation Plan is approved, an unprecedented amount of cost-share dollars will be available in the basin for projects to reduce the amount of phosphorus in the Watershed. Projects like lakeshore and streambank stabilization, filter strips, grass waterways, feedlots, and ag waste systems will be implemented through the TMDL. This process has the potential bring in large amounts of money into each county involved in the process - whether it be to local contractors, nurseries, dealerships, etc. During economic times like this, any type of cash infusion to the local economy is welcome!
For more information on the St. Crois Basin, see the following link to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/basins/stcroix/index.html If you would be interested in getting involved in the TMDL process, please contact Sam Martin or Jill Carlier at (320) 216-4240 for more information, or email them at: sbmartin@co.pine.mn.us and jmcarlie@co.pine.mn.us Emerald Ash Borer Found in Minnesota
What is EAB?EAB is an insect that attacks and kills ash trees. The adults are small, iridescent green beetles that live outside of trees during the summer months. The larvae are grub or worm-like and live underneath the bark of ash trees. Trees are killed by the tunneling of the larvae under the tree's bark.
Information taken from MN Dept of Ag and MN DNR websites Contact Us: 1602 Hwy 23 North, Sandstone, MN 55072 Phone: 320-216-4240 Fax: 320-216-4244 Email: Jill Carlier, District Manager: jmcarlie@co.pine.mn.us Tim Olson, Office Assistant: tmolson@co.pine.mn.us Sam Martin, Water Management: sbmartin@co.pine.mn.us Robin Poppe, Wetland Specialist: rlpoppe@co.pine.mn.us Office Hours: M-F 7:30am - 6:00 pm This site was last updated: July 23, 2010 |
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Questions or problems regarding this web site
should be directed to Pine County SWCD. |
The
river crosses three major ecoregions and provides protection for a
rich riparian zone, originating in a region of northern spruce and
pine and flowing southwesterly through hardwood forests and prairie,
eventually joining the Mississippi River. The river supports 95 fish
species, beaver, muskrat, and otters. Eagles, osprey, and ducks nest
along the river. Insects, 41 species of fresh water mussels, and
hundreds of other species of plants and animals make the St. Croix
their home. 