BWSR is piloting a redesigned RIM easement acquisition process that follows current real estate transaction standards and improves efficiency for SWCD and BWSR staff. This "RIM Refresh" pilot process will be used for all RIM Drinking Water and RIM Wetlands & Peatlands applications funded in 2026. BWSR will refine the process and eventually adopt it for all RIM programs, likely in 2027.
RIM Refresh Highlights:
- Title review completed earlier to identify red flags and roadblocks up front
- Easement boundary surveyed and the signposts installed by surveyor
- Easement closing and payment process streamlined and standardized
RIM Refresh Easement Acquisition Flowchart
RIM Refresh Step-by-Step SWCD Guide
NOTE: The RIM Refresh process is different than the process in the RIM Handbook. Please refer to this page only when seeking guidance or forms for an easement following the RIM Refresh pilot process.
Contact Lucy.Dahl@state.mn.us with questions on the RIM Refresh pilot process.
- Application Requirements
The standard process for preparing and submitting an application package has not changed. See the RIM Application Guidance document for forms and instructions, and see the individual program pages for additional requirements for each program:
If submitting a RIM Wetlands application, the landowner must also sign a RIM Refresh Landowner Acknowledgement form to ensure they understand that the easement will be surveyed and to acknowledge that if the survey costs exceed $5,000, the remaining amount will be deducted from their easement payment (with no out of pocket landowner costs). This form is not required for RIM Drinking Water Applications.
NOTE: Application packages can now be submitted electronically through a secure BWSR SharePoint site which requires a special link from BWSR. If you do not already have an account with BWSR Easements, email bwsr.rim@state.mn and they will set you up.
Application packages cannot be emailed because they contain personally identifiable information.
- Title Insurance Requirements
BWSR requires a full historical review of the easement property to confirm there are no existing title issues which would conflict with the terms of the conservation easement.
Under the RIM Refresh process, BWSR staff now coordinate directly with the SWCD’s chosen title insurance company to initiate the required search, right after reviewing the application package for completeness. SWCD staff will be copied on all correspondence with the title company and will still be asked to act as an intermediary between BWSR and the landowner when needed.
See Sample Title Insurance Request Form for details on the services required by the title insurance company.
Summary of “RIM Refresh” changes being incorporated into the title review process:
- Timing: Title search to be completed earlier in the process to identify issues up front and allow time for landowners to work on clearing issues in the background as acquisition proceeds
- Communication: BWSR staff to coordinate directly with title company to increase efficiency and decrease the communication burden on SWCD staff
- Search Area: Initial title search will be for the general parcel containing the easement and the surveyed legal description will be provided after the survey is complete
- Liens/Mortgages: Title company may coordinate directly with lien holders assist with lien subordination, release, or satisfaction. Landowner may choose to satisfy liens at closing by having the lien balance deducted from the easement payment.
- Easement Signature: SWCD staff will obtain landowner signatures and mail to BWSR for countersignature. BWSR will sign and mail final documents directly to the title company in combination with a wire for the easement payment.
- Easement Payment: The easement payment will be dispersed by the title company following receipt of the executed document(s) and wired payment from BWSR
- Easement Boundary Survey Requirements
A legal boundary survey of the easement area is required for all applications following the RIM Refresh pilot process.
Survey Cost Estimate Request: Upon review and approval of the title commitment, BWSR staff will prepare a Survey Cost Estimate Request form with site specific details and provide to the SWCD with instructions to obtain cost estimates for the required survey work (three cost estimates suggested). The SWCD must also provide the surveyor with a copy of BWSR’s RIM Easement Survey Requirements - Pilot Process document so the surveyor has all relevant information needed to prepare an accurate cost estimate.
Survey Expenses: The SWCD will be responsible for hiring the surveyor and paying the survey invoice. BWSR will reimburse the SWCD for the total cost after all survey work is completed.
- RIM Wetland Program Applications: There will be no out-of-pocket survey expenses for the landowner, however, any survey costs exceeding $5,000 will be deducted from the RIM easement payment.
- RIM Drinking Water Program Applications: The entire survey cost will be covered by BWSR and will not affect the landowner’s easement payment. This is possible due to the funding available for this specific program.
Survey Field Work: The survey field work must not commence until after the RIM Agreement has been signed by the landowner. Following RIM Agreement signature, BWSR will give the SWCD notice to proceed with signing the survey contract and initiating field work.
The surveyor shall install temporary stakes for SWCD and landowner review. If there are boundary encroachments identified during the field survey (fence lines, cropping, etc.), the surveyor must consult BWSR to determine required next steps, as detailed in the RIM Easement Survey Requirements - Pilot Process document.
Landowner Approval of Surveyed Boundary: After the surveyed easement boundary has been staked, the SWCD must review it with the landowner in the field. The landowner will then be asked to acknowledge and approve the final easement boundary and payment based on the surveyed easement size and final survey cost (acknowledgement form to be prepared by BWSR).
BWSR Review/Approval of Certificate of Survey: A draft Certificate of Survey and GIS shapefile of surveyed boundary must be provided to BWSR for review. After approved, BWSR will request the final versions.
Easement Boundary Monuments and Post/Sign Placement: The surveyor shall set permanent monuments and signposts according to the specification provided in theRIM Easement Survey Requirements - Pilot Process document.
The SWCD shall install the signs on the previously placed posts after the easement has been recorded. Signs should be installed before or during the first site inspection.
- Conservation Plan Development
No changes from existing Conservation Plan Workbook. See RIM Handbook “Conservation Plan Development” section and contact Sara.Reagan@state.mn.us with question on how to prepare a RIM conservation plan and map.
- Easement Closing/Payment
Easement Signature: After the title has been cleared and approved by the State Attorney General’s office, BWSR will email the RIM Easement document and other required materials to the SWCD with instructions to obtain signatures and return the hard copies to BWSR for countersignature.
BWSR will then sign and mail all required closing documents directly to the title company along with a wired payment for the easement amount.
Easement Payment/Closing: The title company shall disperse the easement payment upon receiving the fully executed document and performing a pre-close search to confirm no changes since last title commitment or pro forma policy was drafted.
Easement Recording/Title Insurance Policy: The title company shall record the easement and any other required documents and prepare a title insurance policy in accordance with BWSR’s requirements. Copies of the recorded easement and title insurance policy shall be emailed to BWSR as soon as available, and the wet ink original recorded Easement document(s) must be mailed to BWSR.
- SWCD Reimbursement
BWSR’s preference is for the SWCD to submit a single reimbursement request after all survey and title invoices have been paid. However, the cost of the survey may be reimbursed earlier, separate from the title costs, if needed.
The SWCD must fill complete a RIM Cost Reimbursement Request and submit it to bwsr.rim@state.mn.us along with attached supporting documentation of the invoiced amounts, payment amounts, and payment dates.