Enhanced SWCD Construction Inspection
Lake Superior Watershed, MN

Grantee: Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources
Basin Program Funds: $9,258
Non-federal Funds: $15,000
Project Duration: 08/1996 - 07/1997
Status: complete

Problem Statement
This project trained SWCD staff how to inspect construction projects in progress.

Background
Minnesota is currently placing a high priority on the technical training of local government staff, especially Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) technicians. There are seven SWCDs functioning in the Minnesota Lake Superior Watershed. Also, the Lake Superior Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (LSA) and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) currently have a backlog of approximately 50 projects on the north shore of Lake Superior.

This project completed two high priority erosion control projects on the shore using SWCD technicians during portions of the construction inspection. By doing this, the project provided job training to SWCD personnel and other local government technical staff, while at the same time completing the two stabilization projects.

Activities
Two high priority rip-rap revetement projects (Moland and Sanden) were built using this grant, totaling approximately 269 feet of Lake Superior shoreline. The project topographies were surveyed with SWCD technicians on site as the first part of their preconstruction inspection training. In addition, final design plans and specifications, contract bid packages, permit applications and construction observations were also completed providing additional SWCD training. From the start, district technicians were involved in the project work, to increase understanding of construction inspection guidelines.

Results
The Construction Inspection Guidelines for Rip-rap Revetments training manuals were also developed and distributed to appropriate SWCD technicians and SRF state engineers. A training session was also held as part of a Natural Resources Conservation Service TR-2 workshop on Lakeshore Protection Training and had over 41 attendees.

The completed projects will save an estimated 181 tons of soil per year. An additional 68 tons per year will be saved from the Fuller project which served as the project for state match and additional training. This brings the total to approximately 249 tons of soil per year. All three projects will improve fish habitat and overall lake quality by reducing direct sedimentation into Lake Superior.

Contact: Gene R. Clark, (218) 723-4752