Enviormental Science – Â鶹ĘÓƵ Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:37:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-favicon_logo-32x32.jpg Enviormental Science – Â鶹ĘÓƵ 32 32 Mississippi River Corridor Habitat Assessment /projects/mississippi-river-corridor-habitat-assessment-2/ /projects/mississippi-river-corridor-habitat-assessment-2/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:37:42 +0000 https://portal.epicn.org/case-stories/mississippi-river-corridor-habitat-assessment/ Read More... from Mississippi River Corridor Habitat Assessment

]]> The Mississippi River corridor is an ecosystem of connected natural and urban habitats, which provides benefits to both wildlife and humans. The “Above the Falls” stretch of the Mississippi River shoreline has historically been industrial, but the Mississippi River Management Organization (MWMO), the Mississippi Riverfront Partnership (MRP), and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) would like to restore this area to provide habitat connectivity along the river corridor. Property ownership complicates this goal; property along this stretch of the river has multiple owners and uses (e.g., residential, industrial, parks, vacant Brownfields). “Postage-stamp” parks have been created along this stretch, as the MPRB and partners purchase land along the river in a piecemeal fashion, when available.

To achieve restoration goals in this context, the corridor as a whole needs to be assessed for wildlife function. For example: What wildlife species are currently present? What is a meaningful corridor (size/length) to maximize wildlife habitat and to provide habitat conveyance? Finally, the complexity of property ownership and public access needs to be considered. How can the corridor be restored considering the current context of multiple property owners along the river? How can restoration goals be achieved while still providing an accessible riverfront for the public?

]]> The Metropolitan Council operates several wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Twin Cities area. Most of the WWTPs are located adjacent to river corridors, and in some cases form portions of sensitive wildlife habitat and native vegetation areas. Landscape design at the WWTPs has traditionally consisted of traditional mowed turf, which requires constant mowing, occasional herbicide application and irrigation, and provides little benefit to wildlife or water quality. The Council is committed to developing strategies, guidance, and implementation plans to transition the landscaping to more natural systems, incorporating native tree species, pocket prairies, raingardens, swales, and other features at its seven WWTPs, one water reclamation plant, and other miscellaneous lift (pump) station properties.

The Empire WWTP has implemented several sustainable landscaping practices, including permeable pavement, raingardens, a green roof and more. However, they have a large area of mowed turf that they would like to convert to a sustainable landscape that provides ecosystem benefits. Students will conduct a social/economic/ecological analysis to examine the costs and benefits of converting this turf area to native vegetation. They will develop a report to guide stakeholders and decision makers through this analysis and to make a case for the implementation their findings.

Students will also analyze water quality, flow, and trout populations in the Vermillion River stretch along the Empire WWTP, prior- and post-effluent diversion from the Vermillion River to the Mississippi River. Students will develop a scientifically-backed proposal with tiered recommendations for MCES to identify and respond to temperature stressors in our reach of the Vermillion River.

PROJECT REPORTS:

Targeted Conversion of Turfgrass to Native Prairie in Grassed Swales, A. Gilmore and B. Mueller

The Business Case for Turfgrass Conversion at the Empire WWTP, JP Fischer and E. Zanoth

Exploration of Thermal Regime on Salmo trutta Populations

]]> Students will examine the effects of various land use scenarios on stormwater runoff and pollinator habitat connectivity. Specifically, students will examine possible effects of the conversion of vacant lots in North Minneapolis to alternative uses (e.g., urban agriculture, pollinator habitat, raingardens, or a combination of uses) on stormwater runoff rates. Students will also examine optimal and minimum spatial distances between pollinator gardens. Finally, students will explore co-benefit scenarios for combinations of different land use practices. Students’ analysis will be used to inform the targeted selection of locations for these alternative land uses and to provide justification for the conversion of vacant lots to alternative uses within MWMO’s management boundaries.

]]> Project Overview
The City of Elk River is home to an impaired lake and two impaired rivers. The City has been focusing on stormwater runoff reduction to these waters as well as pre-treatment techniques to improve water quality. However, the City has not implemented an alternative treatment system on city property, such as a green roof. Elk River’s Wastewater Treatment plant (WWTP) is currently undergoing a remodel and expansion. This would be a good site for a green roof installation demonstration project to promote infiltration projects on public land and to educate residents on the importance of stormwater runoff reductions. A team of Environmental Problem Solving students will conduct a feasibility and analysis study of different ecological designs for a green roof installation.

Project Overview Poster
From the SCP Blog: Sustainability, Creativity, and Green Roof Installations
Final report: Recommendations for Green Roof Design for the Elk River Wastewater Treatment Plant
City Outcomes
The green roof project design was funded for implementation in 2017.
Further study by the City of Elk River revealed that the waste water treatment plant roof was not designed to be sturdy enough to hold the green roof infrastructure.
City of Elk River staff are looking into alternative options for a green roof and it is still a goal for the city to have one in the future

Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.

Sustainable Communities Partnership Contact Info

University Faculty Contact
Chip Small
Environmental Science

gaston.small@stthomas.edu
6519625166

Local Government / Community Contact
Kristin Mroz

Enviornmental Technician

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