Featured Projects
Each month BWSR highlights a project that demonstrates the outcomes achieved through Minnesota's local-state-federal conservation delivery system.
February 2010: Grants to Aitkin and Cass counties for easement costs
Land on Little Bass Lake in Aitkin County that is protected by a permanent conservation easement.
Nearly 900 acres of land adjacent to lakes and streams are protected from future development in Aitkin and Cass counties, thanks partly to state grants that helped landowners pay for costs associated with enrolling shoreland property into conservation easements.
In order to enroll land in a conservation easement, the landowner would have to pay about $10,000 for appraisals, surveys, legal fees and other expenses before completing the transaction. Local government officials in Aitkin, Cass and Crow Wing counties proposed a solution – offer landowners a $10,000-$15,000 payment to offset their costs. The three counties jointly applied for and received a Local Water Management Challenge Grant in 2005 and in 2007.
These competitive state grants are administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and they target state funds to high-priority projects that are identified in local water management plans.
A total of $156,000 in payments to landowners resulted in shoreland property easements of land valued at about $3.2 million. Sites included about 4,500 feet along a tributary that feeds Lake Mille Lacs, and 3.8 miles of lakeshore property in Aitkin and Cass counties.
News
Jan. 28, 2010
State dollars for water quality projects approved by BWSR
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has approved more than $14 million in state grants for projects that will protect and restore Minnesota’s streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater. Funding the competitive grants includes $2 million from the state's general fund and $12 million from the Minnesota Clean Water Fund -- one of four funds established through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (approved by voters in 2008). Most of the funded projects also leverage local and federal dollars.
List of Clean Water Fund grant recipients, amounts and brief summary 
List of Native Buffer Grant and Cooperative Weed Management Area grant recipients
List of Conservation Drainage grant recipients
Jan. 28, 2010
BWSR Snapshots
The January 2010 issue of the BWSR newsletter contains the following articles: Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission To Conduct First Metro-Area, watershed-wide TMDL; Mower County Two-Stage Ditch Demonstration; and Monitoring Wetland Hydrology. See the Publications page for past issues.
Jan. 4, 2010
Clean Water Fund Listening Sessions
A series of listening sessions around the state have been scheduled to gather ideas and insights to inform the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework, a 25-year plan on how and when to make investments that will ensure the purity and abundance of Minnesota’s water for generations to come. Citizens, local officials and water resources professionals are invited to attend the listening session in their area to provide input on this plan.
Date added: Feb. 25 (7 to 9 p.m. for citizens and local offficials) in St. Paul / Capitol Region Watershed District
About BWSR
BWSR Mission: Improve and protect Minnesota's water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners
BWSR is the state soil and water conservation agency, and it administers programs that prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; and protect wetlands. The 20-member board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens.
See About BWSR for more information.
- BWSR Meetings and Events
- Click on the calendar for BWSR Board and Committee Meetings, grant program dates, and other BWSR and partner events.
Partners
BWSR works in partnership with local government units, state and federal government agencies and other organizations.
Local Government Units and Partner Agencies -- Overview of BWSR's conservation partners, includes directories, maps, guidance documents and publications.
Training -- Dates and locations of training sessions conducted by BWSR staff, sorted by topic.
Performance data for local government units -- Through the Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP), BWSR staff evaluate water management entities, and, where necessary, provide assistance.
Maps
The BWSR Map Portal contains maps that BWSR staff and partner agencies use to administer conservation programs.
