Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources

The Buffalo-Red River Watershed District partnered with the Wilkin and West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCDs) to develop a method for determining the most effective locations for Best Management Practices (BMP) to be implemented in the upper watershed of the South Branch of the Buffalo River. Two primary waterways in the project area, Deerhorn Creek and the Buffalo River - South Branch, are impaired for turbidity. Additionally, sediment build-up in the channels has resulted in reduced flow capacity which leads to over-bank flooding. This project identifies areas of high sediment contribution. SWCD staff will target their marketing efforts of BMPs to these areas to reduce sediment loads and runoff.

Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques applied across the 154 square miles watershed rank the sediment contributions from ‘catchment areas’ based on Stream Power Index (SPI) and the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. The GIS results were then provided to the SWCDs to aid in marketing BMPs installation within the project area.

News

May 15, 2012

FY 2014-2015 Biennial Budget Request Open Through June 29, 2012

The Biennial Budget Request (BBR) is intended to obtain information on water management projects and activities from local governments that are to be implemented under a program and operations or competitive grant through BWSR. Projects and activities included in a BBR are:

•Priorities of the local government that are directly connected to the local water management plan;
•Targeted to address a water management priority; and
•Can be realistically implemented within a three year grant agreement period

Visit the Biennial Budget Request page for more information.

May 10, 2012

Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules without a Public Hearing

The Conservation Cost-Share and RIM Reserve Rule Amendments (MN Rules Chapter 8400) are moving forward and the Notice of Intent to Adopt Without a Public Hearing was published in the State Register on Monday, May 7, 2012. The comment period will be open for 30 days, until Wednesday, June 6, 2012.

The proposed rule, draft statement of need and reasonableness (SONAR), and draft Conservation Cost Share Policy are posted on the Cost Share web site.

Comments made during the 30 day comment period can result in changes to the rule and SWCDs and other interested persons are encouraged to provide comments. In addition, a public hearing will be held if 25 or more persons request one before the end of the comment period.

If the Rule amendments are adopted as proposed, the intention is for the Board to adopt the final rule on June 27, 2012. Following the completion of additional rulemaking steps, the rule would be effective in August 2012. Finally, if this schedule is met, the FY2013 Conservation Cost-Share Grants will comply with the revised rule and new Board adopted policy.

April 18, 2012

Biennial Budget Request Online Training Scheduled

Please join us for training on the new Biennial Budget Request process that BWSR will utilize to gather information on the future needs for local projects, activities, and programs to deliver conservation and improve water quality in Minnesota. Registration Form

April 13, 2012

NEW PRAP Assistance Grants Now Accepting Proposals

The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) recently authorized a new need-based grant program for local government water management entities that desire to improve their performance or operational effectiveness. Titled, PRAP Assistance Grants, the program is tied to BWSR’s five-year-old Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP). Local governments that are the subject of a PRAP Level II performance review usually receive recommendations as part of the review process. In those cases where a recommendation calls for the LGU to engage an out-of-agency specialist or consultant to assist with some aspect of organizational improvement, the LGU may apply for a PRAP Assistance Grant to help with the cost of such resource people. In addition, grants may also be used for help with specialized staff development, conflict resolution, or reorganization. LGUs need not have been the subject of a PRAP review to take advantage of this grant program.

March 30, 2012

The Biennial Budget Request and Your Local Water Management Plan

Local governments will be submitting information to BWSR on the priority projects they want to implement during the State FY2014-15 Biennium. These projects must be water based management priorities contained in local water management plans. This second initiative update provides important information on the connections between local water management plans and the information that should be submitted in a Biennial Budget Request.

March 14, 2012

BWSR Clean Water Fund Legislative Report

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources has prepared a report that outlines the comprehensive strategy used to implement the Fiscal Year 2012 appropriation from the Clean Water Fund. This report meets the requirements of the Laws of Minnesota 2011, 1st Special Session, Chapter 6, Article 2, Section 7.

February 10, 2012

Biennial Budget Request Overview

The Biennial Budget Request is a process to elevate and simplify State funding of local water management priorities. Through this process the connections between local water management plans, state budgeting, and BWSR water management grants will be enhanced. The first in a series of initiative updates has been posted on the grants page. Additional information will be posted at this location in the coming months.

January 19, 2012

Clean Water Fund FY2012 Awardees

The recording and PowerPoint slides from the January 2012 online work plan sessions are now available. Click HERE and go to Self-Directed Learning section.

January 17, 2012

Governor Dayton, USDA Secretary Vilsack and EPA Administrator Jackson team up on groundbreaking water quality certification program 

December 14, 2011

BWSR Board Approves Grants for Fiscal Year 2012

Today, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) announced over $16 million dollars in grants to 130 local governments for projects across Minnesota to achieve cleaner water. The Clean Water Legacy funds are targeting polluted and at-risk waters throughout the state. Read the Press Release and then visit our Clean Water Fund page to see recipients and learn more about the funds.

December 12, 2011

Request for Proposals - Web Based Grants Management System

The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) requests proposals from qualified vendors to design, build, and install a web-based grant management and project tracking system (System) which includes GIS mapping components. The response deadline has passed.

November 28, 2011

New Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) Signups

BWSR is pleased to annouce two new RIM signups, made possible through appropriations from the Clean Water Fund and Outdoor Heritage Fund:

• CWF Wellhead Protection Easements in areas where the vulnerability of the drinking water supply management area is designated as high or very high by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Participating landowners receive a payment to permanently retire land in agricultural production, and to establish buffers of native vegetation.

• CWF/OHF Riparian Buffer Conservation Easements to keep water on the land in order to decrease sediment, pollutant and nutrient transport, reduce hydrologic impacts to surface waters and increase infiltration for groundwater recharge. Additionally, through an appropriation from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, buffers may be extended for wildlife habitat purposes.

July 21, 2011

BWSR Update

Read the latest BWSR Update for a summary of the BWSR budget, including appropriations from the General Fund, Clean Water Fund, Outdoor Heritage Fund, Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, and bonding. The update also contains summaries of policy changes for aquatic invasive species control, Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) administration, and other policy changes that relate to BWSR and partner organizations.