River becomes a destination

Birding trail winds

through area

Last in a series

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Recreation in the Minnesota River Valley -- where the eastern woodlands meet the prairie grasslands -- is just beginning to take hold.

Many cities and towns on the river are realizing it as a resource ready to be utilized -- Franklin will host Catfish Derby Days with a fishing contest this summer. Bike trails line the river in Montevideo.

Later this summer, construction of a 10-foot wide trail for bikers and non-motorized enthusiasts is expected to begin in the southeast corner of New Ulm.

New Ulm will host Riverblast -- the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River's festival -- Sept. 13-15 with music, boat rides, races, food, drink and an art contest for starters.

Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway maps are being developed.

"There is a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to the river outlook," said Scott Sparlin of New Ulm and a founder of CCMR. "Many stem river cities are starting to get their hands around the river and identify it as a potential and existing resource ready to be utilized."

The bird migration season is under way. Directions and preliminary maps of the Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail are available.

The state's newest trail, a project of Audubon Minnesota, spans the Minnesota River watershed from its headwaters near the South Dakota border to its confluence with the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities.

The river valley and its watershed have long been a destination for knowledgeable birders. More than 320 species including rare and declining species, have been recorded in the valley.

The river valley was divided into seven regions or loops -- metro, Bend in the river, South Minnesota, Dakota Central, Southwest Plains, West Prairie and Northern Lakes.

The Dakota Central Loop trail spans from Mankato to Granite Falls. Proposed sites are the Judson Bottom Road Auto Tour Route (Blue Earth County Road 71), Swan Lake and Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area, Flandrau State Park, North Minnesota River Road Auto Tour Route (starting at the Harkin Store), Lower Sioux Agency Historic Site, Ramsey Municipal Park, Town & Country County Park (Renville Co. Park No. 2), Renville County Park No. 1, Swede's Forest Scientific & Natural Area (Yellow Medicine County) and the Upper Sioux Agency State Park.

Audobon Minnesota is seeking ideas for and participation in birding trail projects. The public is invited to nominate a site, become a site steward, enjoy The Great Minnesota River Birding Day, which does not have a date yet, and help raise funds.

For more information, call (651) 225-1830 or visit http://www.birdingtrail.org

River surface water and watershed restoration has a long way to go, with many challenging issues remaining, according to Sparlin.

"Our existing state laws do not provide for consideration of downstream recipients of water that is moved off upland areas," Sparlin said. "Sales of raw materials for such projects is at an all-time high."

An example, according to Sparlin, was that additional underground drainage tiles can be installed at will to an upland area without any permits or assessment regarding downstream impacts.

When that is done at multiple locations in a "minor" watershed, the cumulative impacts on a small tributary can be devastating with a domino effect that is passed on to succeeding landowners, causing unnatural flooding of streams and tributaries, Sparlin said.

Other negative impacts of underground drainage tiles are dislodging existing sediment along river banks and streams from prior events plus the interception of potential ground water.

"Without that recharge to our sub surface aquifers, we will be literally stealing drinking water from future generations and exacerbating future droughts," Sparlin said.

He stressed to need to for long-term planning like recapturing portions of lakes and wetlands from the past century and beyond.

"It is time for all those who have built empires on the backs of the average landowner, producer and taxpayers to pony up and accept their share of responsibility for the watershed and rural lifestyle," Sparlin said.