Knowledge and information are essential in planning and implementing policies to reduce non-point source pollution in the Minnesota River basin. In the previous sections of this report, we have provided information that can be used to assist planners identify and target resources and programs based upon specific characteristics for various agroecoregions and watersheds within the basin. This information shows the general location for steep lands with high erosion potentials, flat lands with low erosion potential, lands with poor drainage, lands with low crop productivity, lands with various levels of precipitation or growing degree days, lands adjacent to lakes, streams, or ditches, and steep lands next to rivers. Prior to this report, planners had difficulty understanding the diversity in landscapes, soils, climate, cropping systems, hydrologic features, or water quality impacts throughout the basin.
Once planners have targeted vulnerable lands for reductions in non-point source pollution, they must develop a list of action priorities which provide the most effective control for the smallest economic impact on stakeholders. To do this effectively, they must understand the sources of pollution, the pathways of movement, the factors affecting delivery to the Minnesota River, the relative cost and effectiveness of various management strategies, and the potential socio-economic impacts of these strategies on stakeholders. There are many regions in the basin where a strong research knowledge base exists to delineate sources of pollution and effective practices to reduce pollution. Years of field based agricultural research have been conducted at Morris, Lamberton, and Waseca, which are located on lands whose characeristics represent roughly 50% of croplands in the basin. Planning and implementation activities for reductions in non-point source pollution for these regions can be effectively based upon management recommendations developed at the three University of Minnesota Research and Extension locations.
Because little to no agronomic or non-point source pollution research has been conducted on lands that represent about 50% of the Minnesota River basin, there is considerable uncertainty among producers concerning the relative magnitude of pollution loadings from various potential sources for sediment, phosphorus, and bacteria. Furthermore, producers are concerned that removing cropland from production to control non-point source pollution on these lands will result in economic losses unless financial incentives are provided. Finally, there may be an element of risk and economic loss for producers in adopting new management practices to reduce non-point source pollution. Research can provide new knowledge to assist in reducing these barriers to further implementation of policies for clean up the Minnesota River basin.
The University of Minnesota is the premier research institution for Minnesota, with tremendous expertise and strength in soil and water resources, agricultural engineering, agronomy, applied economics, natural resource conservation, geohydrology, animal science, and applied economics. State and local agencies responsible for the development of plans and policies affecting the Minnesota River basin are encouraged to involve and support the University of Minnesota as an active participant in the process of addressing agricultural productivity and management of non-point source pollution.
Many of the proposed solutions for clean up of the Minnesota River basin have a strong foundation in research knowledge and the recommendations that are based upon research. There are, however, knowledge gaps that affect attitudes of stakeholders towards the basin policies, and their likelihood of actively participating in the implementation process.
Research needs and knowledge gaps pertaining to the Minnesota River basin were solicited from several sources. These include state and federal agencies, producer and crop consultant groups, citizens groups, and University researchers. The major research needs and knowledge gaps can be grouped into five categories: (1) Interdisciplinary, integrated systems research, (2) Research on sources and pathways of pollution transport, (3), Research on effectiveness and economic risk for various management practices, (4) Knowledge generated by modeling, and (5) Knowledge generated by monitoring.
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