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D-4. Ramsey Conservation District (RCD) Discussion <br />Mr. Tom Petersen, District Administrator and Mr. Ryan Johnson, NATURE <br />Specialist presented an overview of the function of RCD with a request for <br />GLWMO financial support in 2008. <br />RCD was started in 2002. The purpose is to help homeowners conserve soil and <br />water resources in compliance with the watershed plan. The RCD is operated by <br />five elected officials and funded by BWSR, Ramsey County, grants and service <br />agreements with other units of government. <br />Listed below are forms of technical assistance that would be available to <br />GLWMO: <br />• Environmental impacts assessment/review for land development <br />• Wetland reviews. and Water Conservation Act compliance <br />• Environmental compliance inspections on construction sites <br />• Cost-share for conservation practices <br />• Natural resource database and GIS application <br />• Shoreline stability and riparian buffer inventory and assessment <br />• Storm water management system/water quality retrofit assessments <br />• Hydrogeologic data and groundwater quality protection planning <br />• NATURE Program <br />• Water Management Organization administration and operational services <br />• MS4 Permit reporting and management <br />The NATURE Program provides countywide technical services through acost- <br />share program. The services include teaching the use of native plants and <br />"bioengineering" techniques to stabilize eroding landscapes, infiltrate storm <br />water, enhancement of wildlife habitats and tree planting. <br />Public interest is growing, and a training session is proposed next year to assess <br />the shoreline of Snail Lake. RCD is requesting acost-share donation of from <br />GLWMO in the amount of $6,500 as a technical services grant and $10,000 for <br />the cost-share program that would be administered by RCD. <br />State statute allows the county to provide funding for soil and local water districts. <br />Ramsey County's contribution averages approximately $130,000 per year and <br />some funding is received from BOWSR. The rest of the funding is self-generated <br />or obtained through grants. <br />Mr. Aichinger stated that RCD provides a valuable service to homeowners and <br />private individuals. Acost-share program would mean that Ryan Johnson would <br />be available for any projects that staff does not have time to handle. Since <br />GLWMO does not have astaff, acost-share program administered by RCD would <br />provide needed resources for homeowners. It would also fill reporting gaps on the <br />