The Vermillion River Watershed last week was guaranteed strong governmental protection for its fish and wildlife -- and for people who want to use the southern metro river.

Dakota County commissioners approved use of a major state grant to enhance and preserve the 335-square-mile watershed, the largest in the metro area.

The Vermillion River is the nation's only world-class trout stream within a major metro area, according to Trout Unlimited, a nonprofit organization. The river, a tributary of the Mississippi, flows through 20 municipalities and Dakota and Scott counties.

Al Singer, conservation manager for Dakota County, calls it a "prairie river" that slowly winds through rural, suburban and urban areas. He and others want to keep suburban expansion from encroaching too close to the river.

"We're trying to protect water quality, we're trying to protect wildlife habitat, and to provide compatible recreational opportunities," Singer said.

"But also, we're trying to guide and enhance future development."

Most land lining the river is private. This project does not involve converting that private land to public land, he said.

"It's really about protecting the corridor along the Vermillion River from the Dakota/Scott County border to the city of Hastings," Singer said.

Public access now is at Rambling River Park in Farmington, the Vermillion River Aquatic and Wildlife Management Area on County Road 66 in Empire Township, and at a park in Empire Township west of Biscayne Avenue and north of County Road 66. People can also access the river from city parkland in Hastings.

Funding for the project totals $480,000.

Of that, $400,000 is from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, which is responsible for spending lottery proceeds kept in the Environmental Trust Fund. From that, $40,000 will be used to develop the river plan. The rest is for habitat restoration and land protection, including buying conservation easements from willing land owners.

The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization, composed of Dakota and Scott County commissioners, has allocated $40,000 more.

Dakota County is giving another $40,000 from a $125,000 "Active Living Grant" from Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Minnesota. That grant is aimed at creating communities that encourage people to stay physically active.

Singer said he and others hope the Vermillion River Corridor will be a model for protection, management and use of rivers and watersheds.

Joy Powell • 952-882-9017