Southeast Minn. watershed gets federal funds for conservation

The Whitewater Watershed in southeast Minnesota will get $300,000 for conservation from the federal government.

The watershed, which covers more than 200,000 acres, has long been troubled with flooding problems and runoff from farms. Since the mid-'90s, state and local agencies have built sediment basins and terraces to deal with those problems.

Bill Hunt, conservationist with the National Resource Conservation Service, says the program has been successful and the federal dollars will capitalize on this success.

"We're going to have over $300,000 that's going to be invested as a result of this federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act," said Hunt. "In addition, we'll have some local funds from the state and local officials."

Hunt says projects will include creating shallow pools for wildlife and more vegetative cover.