Minnesota Sea Grant
Persistent link for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/11299/183695
With nearly 12,000 lakes and a coast on the world's largest body of fresh water, Minnesota possesses a bounty of aquatic and coastal resources. Through scientific research and public education programs, Minnesota Sea Grant works to enhance Minnesota’s coastal environment and economy.
Minnesota Sea Grant is a systemwide program of the University of Minnesota, with offices on the Duluth and St. Paul campuses.
For additional publicly-accessible materials from Minnesota Sea Grant, including annual reports, program guides, technical reports, conference proceedings, and more, see the Sea Grant Collection in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration repository; filter by Sea Grant Program = MINNU (Minnesota Sea Grant) on the left to see only Minnesota Sea Grant materials.
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Item 2012 Northeast and Central Minnesota Flooding(2015) Curtice, BrianThis three-page pdf is a FEMA proclamation issued on July 6 2012 concerning the June 14-21 2012 floods in the Duluth area. All of Minnesota's coastal counties and communities were included in the declaration, along with the Fond du Lac, Mille Lacs and Grand Portage bands of Ojibwe. The declaration includes public assistance and disaster mitigation in the affected areas totaling $44.7 million. Also noted is emergency legislation totaling $167 million passed by a special session of the Minnesota Legislature and signed by Governor Mark Dayton.Item 2018-2023 Strategic Plan of the University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program(2020-09-30) Minnesota Sea GrantItem 2021 Annual Federal Activity (PIER) Report(2022) Minnesota Sea GrantItem Activities of the Grand Portage Reservation (Minnesota) to Protect and Restore the Aquatic Habitat in Lake Superior(2006) Frazier, Brad; Watkins, Margaret; Nelson, RyanThis is a 30-slide Powerpoint presentation summarizing the Grand Portage natural resources, wetlands, air quality, energy, solid waste and water quality program details; the cooperative agreement between the Grand Portage tribal authority and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the no discharge zone; and nonpoint source pollution efforts. Also briefly summarizes activities of the 1854 Treaty Authority.Item All-Terrain Vehicle Use on the North Shore State Trail: A Feasibility Study(2006-03-01) Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThis study assesses the physical capacity of the North Shore State Trail (NSST) on a 6.4 mile segment to accommodate summer season ATV use. The principal environmental concern noted is potential impact on surface waters and wetlands, especially where the trail crosses protected waters. Of special concern are trout streams and their tributaries and wetlands. Summer season ATV use poses greater risk than all other trail users because of unfrozen conditions and mechanical disturbance to soils. The study finds that the NSST could be capable of supporting summer season ATV use but that modifications would be required throughout the entire length of the trail. Costs of such modifications are estimated at $577,000. The trail in its current condition is not capable of supporting summer season ATV use except where ATV use is already permitted.Item American Indian Gathering and Recreation Uses of National Forests(2004) McAvoy, Leo; Shirilla, Paul; Flood, JosephThis paper identifies and describes the patterns of use of the Chippewa National Forest (Minnesota) by Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe members; and, the use patterns of six national forests in northwest Montana by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The paper also identifies conflicts tribal members encounter while using the forests and makes recommendations regarding the management of national forests in light of tribal members' use of these lands. The implications from both study areas indicate that Forest Service managers should pay more attention to cooperative approaches, and potential co-management of forest resources that are near American Indian reservations. Managers need to be more sensitive to American Indians' uses and values associated with national forests and other protected lands that are close to reservations. They also need to be aware of the history of government and tribal relations, as well as tribal member traditional and historic uses of forests.Item Aquaculture (1993-02)(1993-02) Minnesota Sea GrantItem Assessing the Impacts of Field Days for Youth(2007) Seidel, Wayne; Liukkonen, Barb; Meyer, NathanThis is a 30-slide Powerpoint (pdf format) abbreviated content presentation that assesses the value of and education program with outdoor field days for children. The program is not identified, and a narrative report of this study could not be found. The slides show a variety of activities (forestry station, conservation station, research station, etc.) with small classes rotating between them. There are no accompanying notes, and the PPT slides are in bullet-point format. The authors note that a short survey and focus groups were done with learners and their teachers. The study makes the following conclusions: “Students remembered details and concepts; All participants valued event; Clear evidence of learning and behavior change; Opportunity & willingness to more fully integrate event with classroom work; Regular evaluation will help improve the program” The following implications were listed: Following Best Practices can help improve learning and stewardship; Single-day field day events can have both short- and long-term impacts; Regular evaluation will help improve the program.”Item Bibliography of Water, Land and Socioeconomic Information(1974-05) Green, Janet C; Grant, Christabel D; Neubert, Barbara AThis bibliography represents a first attempt to identify all the sources of information about the Lake Superior basin in Minnesota that would be useful to planners, managers and researchers from a wide spectrum of disciplines.Item Breeding Bird Communities Across an Upland Disturbance Gradient in the Western Lake Superior Region(2007) Miller, Christina; Niemi, Gerald J; Hanowski, JoAnn M; Regal, Ronald RThe coastal region of western Lake Superior to examine relationships to human land use. Eighty-four species were detected and 50 were abundant enough to be included in data analysis. Monotonic quadratic regression models were constructed for these 50 species by using species counts as the dependent variable and the proportion of human conversion of the landscape (residential, agriculture, and commercial/industrial land uses) within each study area as the independent variable. Twenty-seven bird species had significant regressions (P < 0.05), 18 of which generally avoided areas developed by humans and 9 of which were attracted to development. De-trended correspondence analysis using counts of these 27 bird species was used to investigate multivariate, community responses to development. The first DCA axis was interpreted as a gradient from urban avoiding to urban exploiting bird species and was strongly correlated with land cover variables related to human development. Our results advance the idea that breeding bird communities can be used as indicators of ecological condition and can diagnose potential causes for changes in these conditions. Further, our study points out the usefulness of bird monitoring data in regional planning efforts that incorporate goals for maintaining native biological diversity.Item Building Superior Coastal Communities(University of Minnesota. Minnesota Sea Grant, 2006) Schomberg, Jesse; Hagley, Cindy; Desotelle, Diane; O'Halloran, SueChanges to this region and its human population are inevitable. This paper provides a discussion of human-induced stresses and impacts on the Lake Superior basin (runoff, sediment and erosion, nutrient loading, increased water temperatures, bacteria and toxic contaminants). Development pressures (including subdivisions) and economic growth and industrial activities (logging, mining etc.) impact sensitive areas in the Lake Superior basin. Environmental indicators (forest cover, water storage, impervious surfaces) are summarized and explained. The paper describes fundamental management tools (natural resource inventory, comprehensive land use planning, zoning and conservation design). The document provides several examples of innovative coastal projects.Item Campers and Resorters in Northern Minnesota: Some Implications for Voyageurs National Park Management(St. Paul, Minn. : School of Forestry, University of Minnesota, 1975-01-15) Mills, A.S.; Merriam, Lawrence C.; Ramsey, Charles E.Item Case Study: Voyageur Canoe Outfitters(2008) Southern Rural Development CenterThis is a three-page pdf describing a family-owned recreational business in Grand Marais. While water-based resources is not specifically mentioned in the article it is implied through references to the BWCA and being "on the water." The article notes the importance of web-based marketing to business success.Item Chisholm Comprehensive Plan 2012(2012) Arrowhead Regional Development CommissionThis 34-page plan is much more detailed than the comprehensive plan from 2003. There is a major focus on the re-routing of Highway 169, with various options for development and re-development. There is little specific mention of water resources except to note that Longyear Lake will remain Chisholm’s focal point and that trails and other amenities including a boat launch will be added. It notes that The Causeway will become a significant focal point: “This plan envisions the removal of the causeway dividing Longyear Lake. In one form or another the causeway has been a part of Chisholm for a hundred years but it prevents the essential restoration of Longyear Lake into the naturally functioning body of water that can be the community’s keystone attraction. Its removal makes the lake’s revitalization into a regionally significant recreation area possible and provides the opportunity for such vital projects as the Festival Park. The ‘Bridge of Peace’ and associated flags will become part of one of the new lakeshore developments.” A stormwater project will be installed near the fishing pier. Actions related to Longyear Lake restoration include: “1. Develop Case Statement to describe how the combined proposed actions are intended to restore the water body to a naturally functioning system for recreational, aesthetic, civic, economic and environmental benefits. 2. Seek peer review of the Case Statement by MnDNR, environmental groups, recreational groups, and the like for purposes of building support. 3. Develop restoration plan with sequence of activities to implement and research funding sources.”Item Climate Change Impacts on the Water Resources of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the U.S.(2013) Cozzetto, K; Chief, K; Kittmer, K; Brubaker, M; Gough, R; Souza, K; Ettawageshik, F; Wotkyns, S; Opitz-Stapleton, S; Duren, S; Chavan, PThis informative paper links the perspectives and concerns of American Indians with predictions of climate change impacts on natural resources and Native communities. The report cites current and predicted impacts on the Fond du Lac Reservation in northeastern Minnesota, referencing several local sources and tribal authorities. Extracts of key points are reproduced below. "This paper provides an overview of climate change impacts on tribal water resources and the subsequent cascading effects on the livelihoods and cultures of American Indians and Alaska Natives living on tribal lands in the U.S. A hazards and vulnerability framework for understanding these impacts is first presented followed by context on the framework components, including climate, hydrologic, and ecosystem changes (i.e. hazards) and tribe-specific vulnerability factors (socioeconomic, political, infrastructural, environmental, spiritual and cultural), which when combined with hazards lead to impacts. Next regional summaries of impacts around the U.S. are discussed. Although each tribal community experiences unique sets of impacts because of their individual history, culture, and geographic setting, many of the observed impacts are common among different groups and can be categorized as impacts on—1) water supply and management (including water sources and infrastructure), 2) aquatic species important for culture and subsistence, 3) ranching and agriculture particularly from climate extremes (e.g., droughts, floods), 4) tribal sovereignty and rights associated with water resources, fishing, hunting, and gathering, and 5) soil quality (e.g., from coastal and riverine erosion prompting tribal relocation or from drought-related land degradation). The paper finishes by highlighting potentially relevant research questions based on the five impact categories. The Midwest (MW) is the location of the five lakes comprising the Great Lakes that together form Earth’s largest surface freshwater system. Thirty federally recognized tribes live in MW states and depend on this resource. Ceremonies honoring the waters as the life-blood of Mother Earth are held throughout the region. MW Tribes depend on the waters for subsistence and commercial fishing and for water-based plant materials for traditional crafts and artwork. Additionally, most MW tribes now operate gaming facilities and other tourism enterprises that rely heavily upon water for aesthetic and recreational uses. Many MW tribes consider climate change adaptation to be one of the most important long-range environmental issues for tribal nations. Michigan tribes, for instance, have worked with the state to negotiate and sign the May 12, 2004 Intergovernmental Accord between the Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in Michigan and the Governor of the State of Michigan Concerning Protection of Shared Water Resources and the June 11, 2009 Intergovernmental Accord between the Tribal Leaders of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in Michigan and the Governor of Michigan to Address the Crucial Issue of Climate Change. Biannual meetings are held between the state and tribes to discuss shared responsibilities and potential cooperative efforts. Impacts on MW tribes are diverse. Key impacts are related to flora and fauna important for diet, acknowledging clan responsibilities, social and mental health, and the exercise of treaty rights. Traditional healers in the region, for instance, have noted that lack of moisture and unreliable springtime temperatures have caused significant wild and cultivated crop losses. Wild rice (manoomin) is a sacred food of great importance to the Ojibwe of the Great Lakes area and may be detrimentally affected by climate change. In the Ojibwe Migration Story, The Great Mystery foretold the coming of the light-skinned race and instructed the Ojibwe to journey westward until they found ‘the food that grows on water.’ Since the 1900s, the loss of wild rice acreage to mining, dams, and other activities has been substantial. Warmer temperatures could cause further losses by reducing seed dormancy, favoring invasive, out-competing plants, and being conducive to brown spot disease. Water levels also influence rice survival. Extremely low Lake Superior levels in 2007 forced the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa (WI) to cancel its annual wild rice harvest due to dramatic crop reductions. A 2012 flood led to near total wild rice crop failure on the Fond du Lac Reservation. Tribes in the Great Lakes area rely on treaty fishing, hunting, and gathering rights. The exercise of these rights requires considerable attention to environmental issues, including climate changes that affect species and habitats. These rights have been the subject of several court cases, which have resulted in decisions upholding tribal rights. Native American tribes need relevant and culturally appropriate monitoring, assessment, and research on their waters and lands and to develop or be included in the development of contingency, management, and mitigation plans. Tribes also greatly need actual implementation of projects. Although climate change preparedness can take place as a stand-alone effort, climate change considerations can be included as part of planning and implementation that is already occurring. Tribes or intertribal organizations must decide what constitutes relevant work. We propose research questions that might be significant for tribes based on the five impact categories. These include examples of science, policy, and social science questions related both to further identifying impacts and contributing climate and vulnerability factors and to identifying adaptation strategies."Item Community Profile - Iron Range, St. Louis County, Minnesota(2007-10) St. Louis County Planning DepartmentThis “Community Profile: Iron Range” report is a graphical and statistical portrait of St. Louis County Iron Range communities derived from various sources of federal, state, and county data. The report provides a beginning point for community discussion and more comprehensive community assessment. There are currently more than 20 large scale development and expansion projects at various stages of development across the Iron Range. These projects represent the highest concentration of large scale projects since the 1970s, with the potential investment of up to $5 billion. Successful projects will result in construction jobs, permanent jobs and the expansion of ancillary services.” This report contains a demographic snapshot of residents, along with key economic indicators (employment and wages, housing stock, education etc.). There is almost no reference in the document to environmental resources except in the section concerning “Vacant Land”: “The following maps are for illustrative purposes to show vacant land (parcels without structures) available for various types of development across communities on the Iron Range. These areas have potential for development if zoning and other regulations allow it. It should be noted that various parcels could have challenges such as wetlands, bluffs, and floodplains.”Item Cook County and Grand Marais Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Plan(2012) Cook CountyThis planning document is heavily focused on energy requirements and future energy planning. There is little mention of water or other natural resources, although habitat and bird migration is discussed in the context of wind energy. Key points are summarized below. Summary: The energy planning process included a survey with 28 questions to solicit information concerning awareness of energy issues, attitudes toward energy issues, and what respondents had done to address these issues. Respondents overwhelmingly viewed movement toward use of renewable energy as very favorable and indicated a willingness to pay a premium of about 6% for renewable energy. Energy profile information was gathered for both Cook County and Grand Marais showing how, where, and how much energy is currently being used. This information was used to develop and prioritize the Plan's Goals, Strategies and Action Steps, and will be useful for measuring Energy Plan progress, and changes in energy use over time. The first phase of the study has been completed. It addresses the availability of forest biomass for energy production in Cook County; options for biomass combustion technology for small, medium, and large systems; and financial implications of converting to biomass energy in various Cook County settings. In a related effort, a bird migration study was undertaken by the Natural Resources Research Institute to assess the possible detrimental effects of locating wind turbines in the North Shore bird migration corridor. The study suggests that wind turbines located in Cook County, especially within 1 mile of the shore, might result in significant bird mortality. A list of goals, strategies and action steps are presented. No other water-related content was identified in the planning document and appendices.Item Cook County and Grand Marais Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Plan Appendices(2012) Cook CountyThis is a series of annexes to the final report, and containing the following materials: Public Survey Results (Powerpoint presentation); Energy Toolbox Resources; Biomass Phase I Report Executive Summary; and Wind Feasibility Study. As noted in the previous document, there is little mention of water resources.Item Cook County Land Use Guide Plan Update: Sense of Place & Desired Future Condition(2015) Cook CountyThis three-page pdf summarizes the desirable attributes of Cook County, with numerous direct and indirect references to water resources and the coastal areas, for example: “The Physical Setting: A Wild Land Cook County’s blend of diverse natural resources and features, including its climate, attracts people to visit and live in the county and is the foundation for most of its economic activity. The county’s distinctiveness is founded upon its relatively low levels of development and population that are enhanced by a sense of undeveloped wildness and remoteness expressed, in part, by the presence of Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and other large tracts of publicly accessible land. This is furthered by its unique mix of seacoast and forest and lakes and mountains, its large expanses of relatively intact ecosystems, and its relatively unpolluted setting. Although the depth of individuals’ understanding of and reaction to the physical setting may vary, there is a broadly shared acceptance of the inherent value of these features and the need to sustain them into the future.”Item Cook County Local Energy Project - Project Resume(2015)This item contains descriptions of events and projects, with details regarding dates and funding, for aspects of the Cook County Local Energy Project: Project Resume. Dates span 2008-2016.