Rebuilt Cascade Creek mimics nature
In Rochester, a $1.5 million stream reconstruction on 40 acres of a former golf course provides a water-quality and flood-control fix 20 years in the making. Habitat benefits, too, in this Olmsted SWCD project on Cascade Creek. Partners include Olmsted County, Rochester, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Read more.
'A passionate advocate for conservation'
Fillmore Soil & Water District Administrator Donna Rasmussen earned BWSR's 2018 Outstanding SWCD Employee award. Rasmussen has spent her career advancing water quality initiatives in southeastern Minnesota by managing staff, securing and implementing grants and overseeing pilot programs. Read more.
'A lot can get done by one person'
Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District Administrator Dan Livdahl earned BWSR's 2018 Outstanding Watershed District Employee award. As the sole employee for the watershed district, Livdahl’s primary duties involve groundwater and surface water protection efforts. Read more.
Making sense of financial statements
BWSR staff led trainings at the annual BWSR Academy to help local government staff prepare annual financial statements. A key to office efficiency, financial statements help soil and water conservation district managers and board supervisors determine the state of their district’s financial position. The statements also help staff plan for the future and mitigate fraud. Read more.
EPA to revise Section 404 Assumption rules
The feasibility of 404 assumption in Minnesota appears to be improving significantly as a result of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers memo from July 2018 and an Environmental Protection Agency rulemaking process now underway. Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. Read more.
Plant of the Month: White turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
White turtlehead, an effective rain garden addition as well as a late-season nectar source, gets its common name from the flower parts that form a hood resembling a turtle’s shell. A native herb, this perennial can be found growing in wetlands and shorelines. Read more.
Read past stories
Announcements
December 27, 2018
BWSR Awards $13.7 million in Clean Water Fund Grants
St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved $13.7 million in Clean Water Fund grants on December 19 to improve water quality in streams, lakes, and groundwater across the state. Read the press release here.
December 12, 2018
Recognizing excellence in conservation
BWSR is pleased to announce the 2016 outstanding conservation award winners.
2018 Outstanding Watershed District Employee of the Year
Dan Livdahl, Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District
2018 Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee of the Year
Donna Rasmussen, Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District
November 1, 2018
Wetland Banking Listening Sessions
The Board of Water and Soil Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District are planning listening sessions in January 2019 to solicit feedback on ways to improve wetland banking in Minnesota. Topics to be covered at the sessions include: wetland banking forms, agency guidance, communication, agency review comments, and credit releases. Individuals interested in participating are asked to register in advance. Please read informational public notice for more information.
August 27, 2018
Local Governments Collaborate on Water Planning
St. Paul, Minn. — Continuing statewide work to shift local water planning to a more coordinated approach, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved nine new planning grants for the One Watershed, One Plan program. The August 23rd board action allocates up to $2,200,000 in Clean Water Fund grants to fund nine planning projects to address water issues on a watershed basis. Read the press release here.
August 23, 2018
BWSR Board visits Rock and Nobles counties on annual tour
St. Paul, Minn. — Exploring the unique opportunities and challenges facing southwest Minnesota, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) gathered local, state, and federal conservation staff for its annual Board Tour on August 22 in Rock and Nobles counties. The tour offers board members and staff a valuable opportunity to experience local conservation delivery in action by visiting a variety of projects that aim to improve water quality in the region. Read the press release 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/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.