Waltysmom, I do not live anywhere near MN, however I have taken part in the design of some structues in MI. You guys have a deep frost line up there. No matter where you live however, your contractor should have placed the fill lines and vault below your frostline. No amount of grass or straw will ever raise the frost line. Also, the contractor should have anticipated the fact that water perks much slower in cold climates. With this in mind, he would have provided a considerable length of field lines to allow for the extra storage and slow perk.