In an effort to control erosion and stabilize two areas of shoreline along the Rat Root River, a project that partners three local organizations kicked off this week.
The Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club, a local angler group, working cooperatively with the Koochiching County Soil and Water Conservation District, were awarded funding from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for a larger Rat Root River walleye project, which is intended to restore the traditional walleye spawning run through a variety of efforts. In this case, funding will go toward controlling shoreline erosion of two sites on the Rat Root River.
The two groups, along with the Koochiching County Land Commissioner Dennis Hummitzsch, have worked to develop a project that will correct erosion on the county’s Rat Root River picnic and fish camp sites as well as install docks and steps at the sites to make them more user friendly.
“It has turned out to be a nice partnership,” Hummitzsch told county commissioners Tuesday.
The project stems from a 2010 grant that focused on log jam removal on the river. Pam Tomevi, district coordinator of the Soil and Water Conservation District, said she was approached by former Sen. Bob Lessard about “going for something a bit larger.”
Work continued and a grant totaling $215,000 was awarded to the group, of which $100,000 was earmarked for the erosion correction.
“That money has been set aside specifically for erosion on those two county sites,” Tomevi said, adding the bid for the project came in at $105,000 and the remaining balance was covered by the county.
Tomevi said it was Hummitzch who suggested having natural vegetation on the sites.
“As luck would have it, a similar project was done up on Crane Lake,” she said.
The project will include bioengineering materials that provide enhanced site stabilization to help control erosion and stabilize streambanks, lake shores and steep slopes.
“We were able to benefit by looking at those designs,” Tomevi said of the Crane Lake project. “This has never been tried up on our part ...but this is a great opportunity to try.”
Tom Worth, RLSFC, said the club will place docks at the two sites to “make it more handy for people to access.”
Hummitzach said the grant is on a reimbursement basis so his department is assisting KSWCD with payment of the project costs. In addition, the local match for the grant is being done through cash and in-kind contributions from the county Land and Forestry Department, KCSWD and the club.
In addition, Tomevi said the local Department of Natural Resources has been very supportive and involved in the project.
“Bob (Lessard) has been doing a lot of bragging about this entire project,” Tomevi told commissioners. “It is looking good so far.”
