BWSR has received funding through the Clean Water Fund (from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment) to establish and restore permanent conservation easements on riparian buffers 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.
Click here to go back to the Easements page.
Landowner Application Process (2012+ CWF / OHF Riparian Buffers)
Online Training
The web training walks you through program information as well as instructions on how to use the forms needed to complete your landowner applications. Those that submitted an RFP are required to listen to the training.
- Web Training was on Thursday, August 16th.
- Download Recorded Session
(Requires Java) - Agenda
- If you have problems connecting, please contact Jenny Gieseke at (507) 381-3131.
Landowner Signup Documentation
This guidance documentation outlines the enrollment criteria and conditions that will govern the sign‐up for this RIM Reserve conservation easement program on eligible riparian buffer lands. This guidance should be considered additive to existing RIM policy and procedure.
- Map of RFPs received
- Fact Sheet
- SWCD Program Guidance
- SWCD Guidance for RIM Bonding Projects-expiring CRP
- SWCD Guidance for Drainage System Manipulation on RIM Easements
Landowner Application Materials
- CWF Application: Required Components
- Wildlife Scoresheet
- Sample Application Package
- SWCD Checklist
- Eligibility and Suitability for CP21 Filter Strip
- NRCS Standard 393
RFP Process (2012+ CWF / OHF Riparian Buffers)
Training:
The web training walks you through program information as well as instructions on how to use the tools and forms needed to complete your application.
- Web Training was June 28th, 2012 @ 10:00 AM.
-
Download Recorded Session (Requires Java)
-
Detailed Instructions
SWCD Program Guidance:
This guidance document outlines the enrollment criteria and conditions that will govern the sign‐up for this RIM Reserve conservation easement program on eligible riparian buffer lands. This guidance should be considered additive to existing RIM policy and procedure.
Riparian Buffer Ecological Ranking Tool (RBERT): 
Use this dataset to help locate high-priority project areas (catchments) in your county. This tool was created using customized versions of BWSR's Ecological Ranking Tool datasets, making it possible to identify and target areas on the landscape that are at risk for soil erosion or contributing sediment to surface waters.
- Download Shapefile
(34.1 MB) - For assistance, contact BWSR's GIS Specialist Aaron Spence at (651) 296-0660.
The RFP Application
Note that tabs i. Applicant Information, 1. Proposal Area, 2. Water Plan & Quality Priority, 3.Readiness to Proceed are required. The 4. Wildlife Buffer Expansion tab is required onlyif you intend to apply for LSOHC funds (only available for project areas within the LSOHC Prairie Region).
Submit your RFP Application to BWSR:
Once you have completed your RFP application, click the button below to upload it to BWSR. You will then receive a confirmation which can be printed for your records.
Need Help?
- You may view the web training at the top of this page, which walks you through program information as well as instructions on how to use the tools and forms needed to complete your application.
- For questions about the application process or Clean Water Fund policy, contact Tabor Hoek: 507-537-7260.
- For questions about the Ecological Ranking Tool (ERT), contact Aaron Spence: 651-296-0660.
- For questions about web submittal, contact Paul Senne: 651-296-1278.
