Boyer Lake: A sparkling success story
Lakes are the lifeblood of Becker County, and when a lake becomes impaired it can have significant impacts on the local economy. A study conducted within the Pelican River Watershed area in Becker County found that a mere 1-foot decline in water clarity translated to an approximate $11,500 average loss of value per parcel of lakeshore property. Read the story here.
Minnesota CREP officially underway
After more than two years of planning and laying the foundation for Minnesota CREP, the program officially launched and began taking its first applications this spring. The program is a partnership between the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the United States Department of Agriculture – Farm Service Agency (FSA). MN CREP uses a science-based approach to target environmentally sensitive land across 54 counties in southern and western Minnesota. Read the story here.
Otter Tail River bank stabilization preserves farmland, pleases paddlers
The Otter Tail River devoured topsoil by the ton. As it wound toward the Red River of the North and Lake Winnipeg, the Otter Tail bit into 80 acres of Wilkin County clay – good cropland, in Karlo Etten’s family for 100-plus years. The bank dropped 15 feet at its steepest point along a curve that defined the field’s edge. Read the story here.
Featured Plant: Lance Selfheal
Lance Selfheal is a native Minnesota plant that, when not mowed, will flower and provide nectar to butterflies and bumblebees. As the name suggests it’s known for its medicinal use for a variety of ailments. Although it is a member of the mint family, it does not share the same fragrant leaves. With unique, attractive flowers and a later summer blooming period, Lance Selfheal is a great addition to pollinator lawns and gardens. Read more here.
Read past stories
Announcements
August 30, 2017
BWSR Expands Resources Available for Landowners Pursuing Alternative Practices to Buffers
St. Paul, Minn. – At the August 24 board meeting the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved two additional resources for landowners pursuing alternative practices to buffers. Each resource is designed to expand the options for water quality solutions in common situations where practices other than buffers may make sense. Read the press release here.
August 28, 2017
FY 2018 Drainage Records Modernization Match Grant Program RFP Goes Live!
St. Paul, Minn. – The Legislature has appropriated $500,000 for Drainage Records Modernization (DRM) Match Grants in FY2018 from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The purpose of the DRM Match Grants is to assist counties and watershed districts that administer public drainage systems in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103E to preserve and upgrade their records in an electronic GIS database. This purpose includes enabling enhanced drainage system management by using a recently developed GIS database template. M.S. Chapter 103E county or watershed district drainage authorities are encouraged to apply for this grant. There is no minimum grant request amount for the DRM Match Grant Program but the maximum amount that can be requested is $75,000. The drainage authority must provide a local match of at least 1:1. The application period begins on August 28, 2017 and ends at 4:30 PM* on October 2, 2017 - to access the RFP click here.
August 28, 2017
Application Period Open for BWSR Cooperative Weed Management Area Grant Program
St. Paul, Minn. – The application period for the BWSR Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Grant Program is now open, click here. Cooperative Weed Management Areas are partnerships of federal, state and local government agencies along with tribes, individual landowners and various other interested groups that manage noxious weeds or invasive plants in a defined area. This state Cost-share program was developed in 2008 to promote the collaborative and efficient control of invasive species and protection of conservation lands and natural areas across geographic boundaries. $200,000 is available for FY2018 and FY2019 (combined) for newly developing and existing CWMAs or CISMAs(Cooperative Weed Management Areas) in Minnesota through this Request for Proposal. Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are the only eligible applicants, though other organizations may work in partnership with SWCDs to help develop and run a CWMA. The Application deadline is October 2nd at 4:30 PM.
July 11, 2017
Local Governments Join Forces to Plan for Water Management
St. Paul, Minn. – Continuing statewide work to shift local water planning to a more holistic, coordinated approach, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved six new planning grants for the One Watershed, One Plan program. The June 28 board action allocates up to $1,500,000 in Clean Water Fund grants to fund six planning projects to address water quality and other water issues on a watershed basis. Read the press release here. One Watershed, One Plan map of participating watersheds.
July 10, 2017
Landowners have new options and a new website to help with Buffer law
St. Paul, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources announced two additional resources for landowners working to come into compliance with the state’s buffer law. The law, which was passed with bipartisan support in 2015 and signed into law by Governor Dayton, requires the implementation of a buffer strip on public waters by November 1, 2017 and a buffer on public drainage ditches by November 1, 2018. Read the press release here.
July 5, 2017
FY18 Clean Water Fund Competitive Grant RFP Now Available
St. Paul, Minn. – The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is pleased to announce that local governments can apply for funds to protect and improve water quality in their communities. The application period for the FY18 Clean Water Fund (CWF) Competitive Grants is open now through August 9, 2017. These funds are available as a result of the Clean Water, Land & Legacy amendment passed by Minnesota voters in 2008.
The complete Request for Proposals can be found at http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/grants/apply/index.html. A series of instructional videos regarding the FY2018 RFP have also been posted to this website.
May 8, 2017
BWSR Announces Expanded Buffer Law Alternative Practice Options
St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) released an additional common alternative practice today that expands options for water quality solutions that provide comparable benefits to a buffer strip. The updated Common Alternative Practices guidance now includes practices for public ditches located in Glacial Lake Plain areas. Read the press release here.
May 4, 2017
MN CREP sign-up kicks off May 15, 2017
St. Paul, Minn. – Landowners have a new option to protect their environmentally sensitive cropland with the introduction of the Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (MN CREP). The kick-off for the MN CREP continuous sign-up begins May 15, 2017. Read the press release here.
April 10, 2017
BWSR Seeking to Obtain Wetland Credits for the Local Road Wetland Replacement Program
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has available funds to purchase wetland replacement credits from established wetland banks to offset wetland impacts resulting from qualifying public road improvement/rehabilitation projects in Minnesota. The type and amount of wetland bank credits BWSR is seeking to obtain in each bank service area (BSA) is summarized in the RFP.
April 6, 2017
More Buffer Law Options Available for Minnesota Landowners
St. Paul, Minn. – Implementation of Minnesota’s buffer law is underway, and landowners around the state have already made good progress ahead of the first compliance date. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) released another set of tools today to help soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) and landowners identify alternative options. The Common Alternative Practices guidance provides water quality solutions for common situations where practices other than buffers may make sense. Read the news release here. The guidance can be downloaded here.
March 16, 2017
Minnesota is Well On its Way to Full Compliance with Statewide, Bipartisan Water Quality Effort
St. Paul, MN – At a press conference this morning, Governor Dayton announced that nearly 74 percent of Minnesota’s counties are already 60–100 percent compliant with the state’s bipartisan water quality buffer initiative according to analysis from the Board of Water and Soil Resources. BWSR’s preliminary analysis comes as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the state’s water quality buffer protection map is now complete. Governor Dayton was joined by BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke, DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, and MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Dakota County Farmer Dave Legvold, and Cottonwood SWCD's Beck Alexander. Read the press release.
March 10, 2017
Notification of Wetland Bank Service Areas Opening
Effective March 11, 2017, the Board of Water and Soil Resources will provide wetland replacement statewide for eligible county, city, and township road projects under the Local Roads Wetland Replacement Program. The four wetland bank service areas that were previously closed or proposed to be closed are now open. Read the announcement here.
February 7, 2017
BWSR Seeks Comments on Soil Loss Rulemaking
Following changes to State law in 2015, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is beginning the process to update the rules governing soil erosion. The agency is seeking public comments that will be considered as rule amendments are developed. Read the Request for Comments notice here.
January 19, 2017
Governor Dayton Signs CREP agreement
Almost 180 conservation leaders, media, elected officials and farmers joined Governor Dayton in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, January 17 as he signed a new Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture. A great day for conservation, you can read the Governor’s press release here. To learn more about CREP, click here.
Announcements Archive
To view previous announcements, visit the archive
Legacy Amendment
Information For Citizens: How These Dollars Are Being Spent and How You Can Participate
BWSR receives appropriations from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment to pay for on-the-ground conservation projects that provide multiple benefits for water quality and wildlife habitat.
Buffer Program
Enacted 2015 legislation requires a new approach to buffers for designated waters in Minnesota. For more information on the Buffer Initiative, please visit http://bwsr.state.mn.us/buffers/.
To view the State buffer page, click: https://mn.gov/portal/natural-resources/buffer-law/.
Minnesota CREP
In January 2017 Governor Mark Dayton signed a $500 million Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture. This federal, state, and local partnership will work with farmers and other landowners across 54 counties in southern and western Minnesota who choose to voluntarily implement conservation practices on up to 60,000 acres of land to restore and protect water quality and enhance habitat.
Click here to learn more about the program.
One Watershed, One Plan
One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) is an important planning initiative, conceived by local governments, passed by the legislature, and being developed by BWSR.
Click here to learn more about the program and opportunities.
Nonpoint Priority Funding Plan
The Nonpoint Priority Funding Plan (NPFP) is a criteria-based, systematic process to prioritize Clean Water Fund (CWF) nonpoint implementation investments.
Click here to learn more about the program and opportunities.
BWSR Media Center
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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.
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.
Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP)
Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP) -- Through the PRAP, BWSR staff evaluate water management entities, and, where necessary, provide assistance.
Training
The Technical Training page contains information on the Technical Training and Certification Strategy, program information, implementation details and programmatic updates.
The BWSR Training page has dates and locations of training sessions conducted by BWSR staff as well as other training-related information.
Maps
The BWSR Maps and Apps Portal contains maps and interactive web map applications that BWSR staff and partner agencies use to administer conservation programs.