Master Joint Powers Agreements, Cost Reimbursements, and Work Orders

Master Joint Powers Agreements (MJPAs)

BWSR contracts with local government units such as soil and water conservation districts to implement Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) easement programs. To do this, BWSR and each SWCD complete a Master Joint Powers Agreement. An MJPA is an overarching agreement that allows an SWCD to enter into work order contracts for their services and request reimbursement for costs associated with RIM easements. The current MJPAs will be in place until January 2029. 

If there have been changes to who may sign contracts at the SWCD, please help BWSR to reflect this information by notifying BWSR via an email to bwsr.rim@state.mn.us

Cost Reimbursements

To request reimbursement for costs associated with RIM easements, submit a Cost Reimbursement Request to bwsr.rim@state.mn.us  

The following costs are eligible for reimbursement:

• Postage for mailing easement-related documents
• Title insurance costs associated with preparing and examining the title commitment and issuance of final policy and associated premium, and recording fees; these may be reimbursed following BWSR’s receipt and approval of the recorded RIM Conservation Easement and the final title insurance policy
• Posts and associated hardware for posting easement boundaries

The following costs are eligible for reimbursement when necessary and when the LGU has obtained BWSR approval before incurring the cost:

• Boundary surveys
• Archeological surveys
• Tile investigations and/or geotechnical/soils surveys required for restoration planning
• Forest stewardship plan review
• Grazing plan development or review
• Costs incurred by LGU for emergency repairs, management, and practice implementation

Work Orders 

Invoices for services are not required; when the work is complete, BWSR will make the payment.

Stewardship

• $50 per easement located in the district as of June of that year
• One work order per district initiated annually in the fall
• Paid the following winter
• Formerly called Easement Delivery work orders
• Duties
  • Conduct regularly scheduled inspections of completed easements. Report on findings and perform corrective actions and associated enforcement as described in program guidance. Inspections will occur once a year for the first five years after easement recording and then once every three years after the initial inspection cycle.
  • Notify BWSR of RIM easement ownership changes.
  • Posting of and assisting landowner with maintaining easement boundaries. 

Acquisition

• $2,500 per easement acquired
  • $1,000 for completion of Phase 1
  • $1,500 for completion of Phase 2
• Initiated after easement funding notification
• Completed easements: paid following landowner easement payment
• Easements that cancel after Phase 1: paid at a lower amount following cancellation notification
• Duties
  • Phase 1: Funded Application Through Signed Agreement ($1,000)
    • Coordinate with BWSR staff to finalize easement boundary.
    • Order legal boundary survey (if necessary).
    • Obtain landowner signature(s) on the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Agreement for Conservation Easement and forward to the State.
  • Phase 2: Receipt of Title Commitment Through Recording of Easement and Implementation of Conservation Plan ($1,500)
    • Hire title insurance company and order title commitment.
    • Coordinate with landowner to ensure delivery of updated abstracts to the title agent, if necessary.
    • Receive and review title commitment and associated documents.
    • Coordinate with landowner to ensure exceptions appearing on the title commitment are cleared to the satisfaction of the State.
    • Deliver signed original easement to title agent, provide instruction to title agent regarding gap check and recording.
    • Receive and review title policies from title agent; forward to BWSR for review and approval.
    • Pay title agent and submit documentation to the State for reimbursement.
    • Install boundary posts and signs.
    • Preparation & implementation of conservation plans.
    • Field inventory and evaluation.
    • Develop conservation plan with landowner.
    • Develop seeding and maintenance plan as necessary.
    • Obtain landowner signatures on the conservation plan.
    • Complete and submit applicable forms for conservation plan payment.
    • Provide conservation plan implementation assistance to landowner.
    • Field inspections as necessary.

Technical Assistance

• For wetland restoration or other restoration/enhancement technical assistance
• $500 to $4,000 per project, depending on services provided
• Initiated during project planning
• Paid following project completion, most often upon BWSR Engineering's construction certification notification (which will also identify the level of assistance/payment)
• Duties
  • General Duties
    • Review of available maps, photos, and other pertinent resources.
    • Coordinate project review/needs with landowners, cooperators, other agencies, and local government units.
    • Assist cooperator with securing all required project permits, permissions, and authorizations.
    • Assist cooperator with contractor bidding and selection.
  • Optional Technical Assistance
    • Perform/assist with on-site data collection, surveying, geotechnical investigations, assessments of drainage and watershed areas.
    • Project design.
    • Perform or assist with construction staking and layout.
    • Perform or assist with construction oversight and observation.
    • Perform or assist with project close out and preparation of construction as-builts.

Alteration/Amendment

• $2,500 per alteration (including associated amendment) or $1,000 per amendment
• Initiated prior to an SWCD ordering title work
• Paid following alteration/amendment resolution/completion
• Duties
  • Assist BWSR with alterations and/or amendments.