Agency Pollution Control Agency

Contractor Zumbro

SWIFT Contract Number B26800

Project Name Zumbro Watershed Partnership, Inc

Project Number (if applicable) CR2377

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: The Zumbro River Watershed is a major watershed in the Lower Mississippi River basin in southeastern Minnesota. It includes parts of six counties, covering 910,291 acres. Based on the Minnesota Land Use Cover – 1990 Census of the Land, roughly 69% of the land is cultivated, 13% is hay/pasture/grassland, 11% is forested, 5% urban and 2% other. The far upper regions of the watershed are first order, warm water feeder streams surrounded by a heavy agricultural landscape. Habitat is degraded and sedimentation is high, either from channelization, erosion, or nutrient input from row crops and animal feedlots and /or grazed pasture. In contrast, the lower region of the Zumbro System contains higher habitat quality for a variety of game fish. Major segments of the Zumbro River are federally listed as impaired due to high turbidity and/or fecal coliform levels in violation of state water quality standards. Currently, 26 stretches of the Zumbro River are listed on the EPA 303(d) TMDL List, 13 of which have recently been added in 2006. These listings have lead to the current turbidity/nutrient TMDL study lead by the MPCA, to be concluded in June 2009. The primary impaired uses include aquatic life and consumption. The entire watershed is also included in a regional fecal coliform TMDL study, which is currently scheduled for implementation through 2010.

The purpose of the project is to monitor Nitrate-N in all Class 2A streams of the Zumbro River Watershed to provide data for future impairment studies. In addition, there is not enough E. coli data to accurately plan for remediation efforts in the Zumbro River Watershed, so collection of this parameter is included. Three Class 2B streams on the list will provide a comparison of data that can help us plan for future treatment of these streams as well. The three Class 2B streams are sub-watersheds with special project emphasis.

Project Duration

Start Date Wed, 04/22/2009 - 00:00

Original end date Thu, 06/30/2011 - 00:00

Actual end date Thu, 06/30/2011 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $25250.00

Amendments $0

Contract total $25250.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? 100 E710 WY2

Is this a sole source contract? No

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) {Empty}

Evaluator Name Ron Schwartz

Evaluator Email Address ron.schwartz@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness Good

Evaluate the contractor's quality Good

Evaluate the contractor's cost Good

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance Good - There were no problems or issues with this grantee. Everything went on schedule. The Grantee Bruce Brown kept in great contact throughout the project. What few mistakes that happen through were quickly fixed.

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): {Empty}

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 4 - satisfied