Spring 2024 Newsletter

Spring 2024 Newsletter

In this issue, we are highlighting stream and stormwater projects as well as timely technology and grant information, and introducing you to key water focused ISG team members.


POSITIVE IMPRINT: ISG CASE STUDIES

Crossroads Park Stream Restoration + Stormwater Quality Project | West Des Moines, IA

The City of West Des Moines partnered with ISG to improve stormwater management, roadways, and parking lots at Crossroads Park. ISG helped secure a Water Quality Initiative (WQI) grant for environmental enhancements, including a multi-stage channel with floodplain benches, grade control, and native vegetation to repair an eroded waterway.

To address erosion, selective clearing and channel remeandering employed natural stream channel design techniques. The streambank was armored at the grade control structures and new culvert, with care taken to prevent sediment from flowing downstream to a privately-owned retention basin. The reconstructed parking lot enhanced traffic flow and increased the number of parking stalls. A three-tiered stormwater infiltration biocell improved water quality.

Securing the WQI grant required stringent water quality compliance. ISG designed stormwater runoff systems to direct water into infiltration areas, and balanced flow between the parking lot median basin and the biocell. Additional measures were implemented, such as tree preservation, grading eyelets, and armoring around trees.

The project limits were extended to address erosion issues within the I-235/I-80 right-of-way. ISG collaborated with the Iowa Department of Transportation to obtain approvals and reimbursement for the City. Overall, the project enhanced environmental quality, stormwater management, and park functionality, surpassing the City's initial goals.

Read More Here >

Bassett Creek Streambank Stabilization | Golden Valley, MN

A stretch of Bassett Creek, which flows through Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley, Minnesota, had significant bank erosion. ISG was enlisted to repair the banks, establish vegetation, and prevent erosion. Select the link above to learn more about our tailored streambank restoration plan and clear management recommendations for the City.

Read More Here >


LEVERAGING APPLIED TECHNOLOGY

WisDOT Project Uses Time-Saving Orthomosaic Survey Technology | La Crosse, WI

ISG captures survey-grade orthomosaic (ortho) images via drone for precise measurements. These high-resolution images enhance documentation and ensure accuracy, particularly in flat terrains.

Select the link below for the interactive drone ortho imagery slider overlaid with traditional GPS linework.

View the Slider Here >

Water Quality Monitoring | Lake Washington, MN

Environmental Practice Group Leader, Paul Marston, describes the multi-year water monitoring process at Lake Washington to understand the cause of significant algal blooms and other water quality issues, and identify the best treatment options to improve the health of the lake.


IN THE KNOW: FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

ISG's funding experts excel in securing local, state, and federal grants for water quality projects, guiding clients toward optimal opportunities. With a focus on legislative awareness, we maximize funding and leverage every available dollar for impactful projects. Check here for granting criteria, success stories, and guidance on navigating funding for your water quality initiatives.?

Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council

Outdoor Heritage Funds (OHF)

  • Applications are due May 24, 2024; requires selected applicants to participate in a public hearing process
  • No match requirement, however, providing match is looked at favorably
  • $500,000 minimum request
  • Funds large scale habitat-focused projects

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program

  • Traditional program applications due every September; expedited conservation projects have continuous application rounds throughout the year
  • 10% match
  • Applications range from $5,000 to $500,000 with the expedited program award capped at $50,000
  • Total project costs may not exceed $1,000,000
  • Funds projects with habitat focus and can be used for habitat enhancement, restoration, or protection

Grant Success

ISG assisted two clients apply for Climate Resiliency Grants and both were approved!

  • The City of Eagle Lake, Minnesota received a $48,000 grant to assess its stormwater system for climate vulnerabilities, update their XPSWMM model to ICM, and create a plan for developing a compost facility.
  • The City of Madelia/Watonwan County Climate Resiliency received a $84,000 grant to leverage a planned roadway construction to create solutions that address flooding, reduce stormwater rate and flow into the Watonwan River, and plan for the impacts of climate change.


LET'S CONNECT: UPCOMING CONFERENCES

April 29–May 2, 2024 | Environmental Markets Conference

May 5–8, 2024 | National Association of Environmental Professionals Annual Conference (NAEP) | Water Business Unit Leader, Julie Blackburn, CFM will present, "Drainage Rights in the Crosshair of Environmental Review”

May 14–16, 2024 | National Adaptation Forum

May 19–22, 2024 | World Environmental and Water Resources Congress (EWRI)

May 22–24, 2024 | Network for Engineering with Nature (N-EWN)


Registration is still open for the second annual Future of Southern Minnesota Lakes Conference. This event brings together local voices and technical experts who are actively involved in discovering and implementing practical solutions to enhance the health of Minnesota lakes.

Register + Learn More Here >


ISG HAPPENINGS

Integrating Water Quality into Recreational Design

Amanda Prosser, PLA believes in design's power to enhance daily life, defining her nearly 20-year career as a Landscape Architect and leader of ISG's Sports and Recreation Business Unit. An outdoor enthusiast, with a deep reverence for nature, she blends architectural and engineering design with the natural world, crafting inspiring landscapes that embrace water quality and environmental resilience. ?

?Amanda's specialties extend to the planning and design of recreational areas that incorporate lakes, rivers, and streams, such as??Levee Park + Main Street Revitalization in Winona, Minnesota and East Medicine Lake Park?in Plymouth, Minnesota.?Her interdisciplinary approach ensures water quality in recreational design, emphasizing resilience, while balancing the wants and needs of recreational users with environmental stewardship.?

?Beyond work, Amanda's passion for global travel, hiking Minnesota's North Shore, fishing in North Dakota, and innovative backyard landscaping fuel her creativity. These diverse experiences enrich her perspective, ensuring clients benefit from her fresh, thoughtful approach.?

?Explore ISG's impact on parks, trails, and urban recreational design!

Read More Here >


CONTACT US

Julie Blackburn, CFM

Water Business Unit Leader

507.387.6651

[email protected]

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