Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, was recognized earlier this week for his work with conservation districts, and work also continued later in the week on water projects proposed for Austin and Mower County.

The award

The Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts named Sparks its Legislator of the Year for his work to promote natural resource conservation through the legislative process.

“I was very honored,” Sparks said.

The districts praised Sparks for recognizing the key role that Soil and Water Conservation Districts can play on private lands.

“The MASWCD is one of Minnesota’s leaders in conservation efforts and in educating the public and legislators on how to protect and enhance Minnesota’s natural environment. I want to thank them for this honor, and I look forward to working with them in the upcoming session and beyond to continue to set responsible and informed policy,” Sparks said in a press release.

Sparks said he’s worked to help secure long-term, stable revenue sources for the districts, which he said will be important as the districts work to implement Gov. Mark Dayton’s buffer standards.

Work continues

But work continued earlier this week to plan to two proposed dam projects in Austin which are both seeking bonding dollars.

While Senate and House bonding committees previously stopped in Austin to talk about the projects, Sparks and city leaders met earlier this week with Regional Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Director Dennis Frederickson to discuss other potential state funds the city could seek for the projects to restore two Austin dams, along with an effort to complete 25 water quality projects.

“I think that there will be a real push for that in the 2016 session,” Sparks said.

The city of Austin is seeking $600,000 for the Fourth Avenue Northeast Dam area for flood control retaining walls, restoring the old mill site, for stream bank restorations and to study dam conditions. And it’s seeking $3 million in state bonding dollars for the Ramsey Dam area and Ramsey Mill Pond near The Old Mill Restaurant to acquire more land, build two miles of trail, restore a railroad bridge, improve the dam and build public amenities to improve the area.

Cedar River Watershed District leaders are also seeking $4.2 million for the Accelerated Results Plan, which will complete 25 water retention and water quality projects in the district. The CRWD already has half the money for the $8.4 million project. The district is providing $1.2 million, the Hormel Foundation is providing $3 million, and the district is looking for the state to match those funds.

Looking ahead to the 2016 bonding bill, Sparks said he thinks the local projects are positioned well as the vie for state funds.

The 2016 session looks to be a busy one, especially after last week’s announcement that the state should have a $1.2 billion surplus for 2016-17. Sparks expects there to be discussions on a tax bill for tax relief to citizens, along with the bonding projects and capital investments.

While Sparks said he’d be open to using surplus money as a one-time way to complete some roads and bridge projects, he said there’s still the need for long-term sources of funds.