306-06-08: Final Report: Stream Protection at the Lake Superior Zoo: Internal Audit & Best...

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Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program

Stream Protection at the Lake Superior Zoo:

Internal Audit & Best Management Practices Training Leslie Larsen, Lake Superior Zoological Society

10/29/08

Project No. A93374

Contract No. 306-06-08

This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA’s

Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota’sLake Superior Coastal Program.



Acknowledgements

This project was funded in part by the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA’s

Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in conjunction with Minnesota’sLake Superior Coastal Program. The Lake Superior Zoo staff would also like to

acknowledge the South St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff.

Although they were a paid partner for this project, the staff was very supportive and

patient during the various staff changes at the zoo and was generous with their assistance.

Introduction

As Kingsbury Creek runs through Lake Superior Zoo and flows directly into the St. Louis

River, zoo staff desires to reduce the impact on the creek and the watershed. The zooexhibits animals on both sides of the creek. This creates fecal runoff and erosion in some

areas. The zoo also attracts large numbers of geese which create fecal matter that

eventually ends up in the creek. It was determined that with grant funding, an audit of

our current practices could assist the zoo in practicing best management in terms of

erosion and fecal control.

Work Completed

A complete, four-season Stream Protection Audit was conducted by various SWCD staff.

This audit includes photos of problem areas and suggestions for change in management

practices such as: No-mow zones, rip-rap repair and equipment use. As part of the

equipment suggestions, a power washer and trailer were purchased and a training

guideline is included with the audit.

Results

The audit is a first step in a larger process for the zoo to reduce its impact on KingsburyCreek. The audit is the evaluation component of this process and will provide guidance

for future decisions. Using the audit as a guidance tool, zoo staff can incorporate the

audit suggestions in the master planning process. The master plan will include options

for horticulture and animal exhibit development. As certain animals cause more soil

erosion than others, and particular plants create better filtration than others, these options

will be considered in future planning. The acquired power washer will be used to spray

fecal matter and eroded material into grassy, filtration areas rather than letting it flow

directly into Kingsbury Creek. A new partnership has developed between the zoo andSWCD as SWCD attended a booth at our annual Earth Tracks event. They will continue

to be invited to that field day which educates regional school students about reducing

their impact on the Earth.

For a variety of reasons, there were some set backs in equipment purchase decisions.



changes were approved. Also, rain barrels were purchased, but it became difficult to

install them in the useful and visible areas due to lack of staff time needed to install rain

gutters.

A brief explanation of the past and current zoo staff arrangements may be helpful. As the

progress reports reflect, there have been five zoo directors or interim directors during the

life of this grant period. Each had various levels of time and interest invested in the

process. There has consistently been a lack of staff to help implement the best

management practices (BMPs). For example, even with good intentions, zoo staff was

unable to approve and install rain gutters to be used with the rain barrels.

Another necessary clarification is that the zoo is owned and operated by the City of

Duluth. At the present time, the city is intending to lay off all city staff. This has had a

major impact on the time and resources available to implement the grant deliverables.

In addition, there were no static, visible deliverables where an interpretive sign could be

installed. That was the intention had rain barrels been located in central locations and

near gardens at the zoo. However, this certainly has potential as a future project.

Recognition is visible as there are stickers on both the trailer and power washer

acknowledging the Coastal Program.

Conclusion

Certainly, the staff changes at the zoo during the life of this grant process were

unexpected. It is unavoidable and unfortunate that it has made it difficult to implement

some of the intended outcomes, but again, these opportunities are still in the zoo’s future.

The Zoological Society and the City of Duluth are in the process of arranging a newmanagement agreement. This will simplify decision making and increase possibilities for

growth.

The opportunity to implement some BMPs such as now mow zones, native plantings that

filter sediment and remove fecal matter to grassy areas will provide an interesting

opportunity to monitor the stream quality before and after the implementation. We

continue our partnership with Proctor High School for stream monitoring, but we will not

be able to assess results from our practice changes until they are put fully into use.

Appendices

Please see electric and hard copies of the Stream Protection audit (instruction manual for

power washer and photos included).



PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTSGovernment Coordination and Decision-Making

SWCD attended two Earth Tracks Field Days at the zoo. Each Earth Dayevent attracts approximately 800 school students.

Water Quality

With the implementation of BMPs, Proctor High School students(approximately 25 students) will be involved in monitoring stream quality.

This will occur 1-2 times per school year.

306-06-08: Final Report: Stream Protection at the Lake Superior Zoo: Internal Audit & Best...

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