COVID-19 Response | MN Board of Water, Soil Resources

On March 25, 2020, Governor Walz announced a Stay-at-Home Emergency Executive Order 20-20 effective March 27, 2020. On April 18, the stay-at-home order expired and was replaced with a stay safe order. Learn more about Minnesota's COVID-19 response and preparation by visiting the Minnesota COVID-19 Response Website

BWSR Operations

BWSR offices will be closed during this time but BWSR staff are teleworking full time and are available by phone or email.

COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

All employers in the State of Minnesota who resume business operations are required to develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.

BWSR COVID-19 Preparedness Plan (pdf)

Upcoming Meetings, Events and Programs

BWSR is working to determine which planned meetings and events will be postponed or cancelled, and which can be converted to an online format. We will share and post information as decisions are made.

For updates on Technical Training sessions, please check this page: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/training-updates

Grants

BWSR staff continue to review RFP responses as well as process grant agreements and payment requests. We are working with the State Office of Grants Management to find out more about how grants could be impacted by COVID 19 and will provide guidance on grants, reporting, and appropriation deadlines as soon as we have more information.

Easements

Easements, work orders and payment processing are continuing during the COVID-19 emergency. CREP applications for the current batching period are being accepted through March 30, 2020 with another batching period upcoming running from April 13 to May 11. Applications for the Wellhead Protection Partners Grant Program are being accepted through March 31, 2020. For questions regarding the Wellhead Protection Partners Grants Program or other easement matters please contact Sharon Doucette at sharon.doucette@state.mn.us or 651-539-2567.

Wetland Conservation Act

BWSR wetland staff will continue to provide assistance with Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) program implementation to the extent possible given that we are restricted from traveling and must work remotely. At this time, the decision timelines associated with Minnesota Statutes 15.99 still apply to all WCA applications.

Information for our LGU Partners

A memo to our LGU partners from BWSR's Executive Director, John Jaschke providing more specifics about how BWSR is managing our work.

Letter to LGU's 3-27-20 (pdf)