News Releases

2013

• May 16, 2013 Four members appointed to the Board of Water and Soil Resources
  St. Paul, Minn. Four people were appointed or re-appointed to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) by Gov. Mark Dayton on May 15, 2013. Read the news release.
  
• April 29, 2013 Three reasons to have your soil tested this spring
  Did you know that one pound of phosphorus from excessive fertilization can produce anywhere from 300 to 500 pounds of algae if that phosphorus reaches a lake or river?
  Read the news release.
• April 24, 2013 BWSR celebrates 58th Soil and Water Stewardship Week
  During the week of April 28 – May 3, 2013, BWSR is honoring the state's natural resources and the local governments that manage them during the national 58th annual Soil and Water Stewardship Week.
  Read the news release.
• March 25, 2013 BWSR issues another $3.2 million in flood relief grants to City of Duluth and South St. Louis SWCD
  St. Paul, Minn. Less than one month after issuing $2 million in grants to northeast Minnesota for natural resource projects, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) announced today it will issue an additional $1.7 million to the City of Duluth and $1.5 million to the South St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).
  Read the news release
• March 13, 2013 From novice to professional: Conservation Corps apprenticeship leads to career opportunities
  St. Paul, Minn. - If you are like Neva Widner and are considering a career in a conservation field, the 2013 Minnesota Conservation Apprentice Academy may be the place for you.
  Read the news release
• March 12, 2013 BWSR seeks applications for wetland bank program
  St. Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is seeking applicants for wetland restoration projects.
  Read the news release
• March 4, 2013 BWSR seeks comments on amending metro water rules
  St. Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is seeking comments on possible amendments to the 20-year old Minnesota Rule, Chapter 8410, which governs local water management in the seven-county metropolitan area.
  Read the news release
• February 26, 2013 BWSR issues more than $3.5 million in flood relief grants
  St. Paul, Minn. - The second phase of flood relief is on the way to counties and landowners affected by last June's severe storms.
  Read the news release

2012

• November 21, 2012 Soil Health and Water Quality - Making the Connection
  St. Paul, Minn. - Minnesotans rely on soil to sustain life. Soil is critical for the production of food, fuel and fiber. Yet, we don't think that much about that resource directly under our feet.
  Read the news release
• November 16, 2012 BWSR Requests Comments on Wetland Report
  St. Paul, Minn. - In response to Governor Mark Dayton's Executive Order 12-04 (Order), the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has prepared the draft report, Supporting and Strengthening Implementation of the State's Wetland Policy. BWSR is soliciting comments on the draft report from all interested stakeholders through noon, Monday November 26, 2012.
  Read the news release
• October 12, 2012 New Prairie Plan takes aim at rebuilding grasslands, wetlands
  St. Paul, Minn. - When Minnesota pheasant hunters go afield starting Saturday, they will head to prairie country, where tall native grasses provide food and shelter for this fast-flying and fine-tasting bird.
  
  Unfortunately, Minnesota's prairie country isn't what it once was. Long ago, Minnesota had about 18 million acres of native prairie. Today, that number is closer to 235,000 acres. Much wild was lost as society found ways to tame the land in the name of a noble pursuit – growing food for America and the global community beyond our borders.
  Read the news release.
• September 25, 2012  BWSR to facilitate stakeholder process to evaluate Wetland Conservation Act
  St. Paul, Minn. - In response to Governor Mark Dayton's Executive Order 12-04 (Order), the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is facilitating a stakeholder process to evaluate the Wetland Conservation Act.
  
  The Order directs BWSR to work in cooperation with the Pollution Control Agency, Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, Agriculture and invited stakeholders regarding how to maintain no net loss of wetlands as a state goal under the Wetland Conservation Act and to further advance the long-term protection and enhancement of Minnesota's wetland resources. Read the news release
• September 12, 2012  Maplewood Mall to unveil environmentally-friendly clean water features
  St. Paul, Minn. - Shopping at Maplewood Mall is suddenly looking a lot greener.
  
  Through the efforts of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (District), Ramsey County, the city of Maplewood and the owners of Maplewood Mall, 375 trees and 55 rainwater gardens have been installed over the past three years to control stormwater runoff.
  
  Cliff Aichinger, District Administrator, said the District learned runoff from roads and parking lots is one of the major contributors to polluting nearby Kohlman Lake, which is listed as one of the state's impaired waters. Read the news release
• August 27, 2012  BWSR to issue $12.5 million in grants, cost share to counties affected by June floods
  St. Paul, Minn. - Following passage of the flood relief bill as enacted by the Legislature and the Governor last Friday, the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will begin issuing up to $12.5 million in grants and cost share funding to affected local governments to assist communities and landowners repair flood damage lands, streams and related infrastructure.
  
  "We want to get this money out to the affected areas as soon as possible," John Jaschke, BWSR Executive Director said. "There is a lot of work that must get started soon to repair the damages inflicted by the June flood events." Read the news release
• August 17, 2012  BWSR Board heads to southwestern Minnesota for annual tour
  Marshall, Minn.- Flood control, road retention projects and wetland restoration sites are just a few of the stops along the way for a public tour in southwestern Minnesota next week.
  Members of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Board will embark on its annual tour next week in Lyon and Lincoln counties, which will highlight the installation of conservation practices through dynamic partnerships between private landowners and federal, state and local governments.  Read More
• August 1, 2012:  Legacy dollars putting conservation on the ground
  Have you been out fishing or hiking this summer and noticed that shorelines around your favorite lake have more plants? Or, as you are biking or driving around town, have you seen new rain gardens being installed? Environmental improvement projects are underway all across Minnesota, thanks to the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.
  • Metro Version
  • Northwestern Minnesota
  • Southeastern Minnesota
  • Southwestern Minnesota
• August 1, 2012: BWSR authorizes emergency haying and grazing of RIM acres for Minnesota counties
  St. Paul, Minn. - The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) announced today it will authorize emergency haying and grazing of Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) acres for seventy counties* affected by drought conditions.
• July 16, 2012:  Buffers for wildlife and water Legacy media event
  David and Jeanette Stottrup have 162 acres in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts that will expire over the next five years. Join us to learn why the Stottrups are enrolling 43 acres of that land in the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Riparian Buffer Easement program, and how the program will protect nearby water quality and enhance wildlife habitat.

2011

• December 14, 2011: BWSR Board Approves Grants for Fiscal Year 2012 --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.
• August 4, 2011: Competitive state grants available for water quality projects. $16.6 million in competitive grants is available for projects that will protect and restore Minnesota’s streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater. Funding for the competitive grants is provided by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. In addition to the grants, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has $4.5 million available through its AgBMP Loan program, and interested landowners should apply for a loan during this same application period by contacting their SWCD.
• March 22, 2011: Updated photos of 2010 flooding in Southern Minnesota, including updated photos of conservation practices.
• Jan. 11, 2011: $26 million available for conservation easements on frequently flooded lands in southern Minnesota through the RIM-WRP partnership
• Jan. 3, 2011: Lake Protection Challenge Grant -- This grant opportunity is focused on assessing existing lake water quality and watershed data for lakes not identified on the draft 2010 MPCA Impaired Waters (303(d)) List for parameters other than mercury. The Announcement, Request for Proposals, and Application are on the Clean Water Legacy Act page.

2010

• Dec. 15, 2010: $10 million in Legacy Amendment grants approved -- BWSR has approved $10 million in state dollars for conservation projects that will protect and restore streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater. Funding for the grants was from the Minnesota Clean Water Fund (one of four funds available through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment). Read the news release
  • List of Clean Water Fund Competitive Grants Awarded
  • Conservation Drainage Grant projects funded
  • Subsurface Sewage Treatment System projects funded
  • SSTS Imminent Health Threat Abatement Continuous Signup Awards
• Dec. 13, 2010
  • 2010 Outstanding Watershed District Employee -- Justin Hanson, Turtle Creek Watershed District Administrator, received the award. This is the first year such an award has been given, and employees in 46 watershed districts statewide were eligible.
  • 2010 County Conservation Award -- Stearns County received the award for its creation of a Natural Resources Conservation Overlay District.
  • 2010 Outstanding SWCD Employee -- Kathy Smith, Martin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Administrator received the award.
• Oct. 19, 2010: $13 million available for flood recovery -- BWSR received $13 million through the flood disaster relief law signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty following the Oct. 18 Special Legislative Session. The money will pay for conservation projects on marginal, flood-prone lands that will prevent future flood-related damage to property in the 21 disaster-declared counties. BWSR flood recovery news release
• August 4, 2010: $12 million available through Clean Water Fund Competitive Grant -- Application materials are available on the BWSR Grants Page for the Fiscal Year 2011 Clean Water Fund Competitive Grants. Eligible local government units may apply for these grants from now until the Sept. 15, 2010 application deadline. The Clean Water Fund is one of four funds established by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, approved by voters in 2008. Read the news release announcing the available grants
• July 15, 2010: RIM-WRP will restore 7,504 acres of wetlands and grasslands -- BWSR and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that 7,504 acres of wetlands and grasslands will be restored through RIM-WRP. A total of $8.37 million in state funds -- including $6.895 million from the Outdoor Heritage Fund -- made it possible to leverage $13.75 million in federal dollars. BWSR and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administer the RIM-WRP program, a local-state-federal partnership that combines the state's Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve conservation easement program with the USDA Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Soil and Water Conservation Districts implement the program at the local level.
• July 1, 2010: Grants for feedlot and septic system improvement projects -- More than $4 million in state grants is available to local government units for projects to protect and restore water quality by improving feedlots near impaired waters and replacing subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS) that are identified as an imminent health threat. Application forms and instructions are available on the BWSR Grants page.
• April 1, 2010: RIM-WRP Signup Announced -- Landowners looking for competitive payment rates to restore wetlands are encouraged to sign up for the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) - Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) program through May 14, 2010.
• March 1, 2010: On Jan. 28, 2010, BWSR approved about $14 million ($12 million from the Clean Water Fund and $2 million from the General Fund) in competitive state grants for projects that will protect and restore Minnesota’s streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater. The BWSR Fiscal Year 2010 Clean Water Fund Report and information about a series of listening sessions that were held around the state 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. The BWSR Clean Water Fund page has information about the dollars that BWSR has received through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

• Jan. 28, 2010: BWSR FY 2010 Competitive Grants News Release: news release - BWSR 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. Most of the funded projects also leverage local and federal dollars.
  • List of FY 2010 competitive grant recipients, amounts and brief summary (includes projects funded through Clean Water Fund and General Fund dollars)
  • List of Native Buffer Grant and Cooperative Weed Management Area grant recipients
  • List of Conservation Drainage grant recipients

2009

• Dec. 23, 2009: State-Federal Coordination of Wetland Protection Efforts
• December 7, 2009: Reinvest In Minnesota - Wetlands Reserve Program (RIM-WRP) MOU Signed
• October 1, 2009: Outreach meetings for Clean Water Fund Grants
• August 14, 2009: Conservation project tour will highlight SE MN flood recovery status
• May 29, 2009: RIM-WRP Partnership receives Minnesota Environmental Initiative Partnership of the Year Award

News release archive

For older news releases, please contact the BWSR webmaster