Contact: Mary Juhl; mary.juhl@state.mn.us, 612-358-5733
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is now accepting applications for conservation easements, partnership and third-party projects that will pave the way for wetland restoration projects via the agency’s Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program (LGRWRP). Approximately $5 million is available for projects during this application period.
For the conservation easement option, landowners in select Wetland Bank Service Areas (BSAs) who have restorable wetlands on their property can apply to receive a per-acre payment rate to enroll land into permanent conservation easements through the LGRWRP. The LGRWRP program offers easement payment rates that are generally higher than are available through state and federal conservation programs.
A partnership project is where BWSR and a partner, such as a landowner or local government unit, enter a contract to design and construct a wetland mitigation bank together. Third-party projects are agreements in which a bank sponsor establishes a wetland mitigation bank and sells credits to BWSR.
State and federal laws require replacement of wetlands that are filled or drained. Through the LGRWRP, restored wetlands can produce credits that are deposited into a statewide wetland bank. These credits are provided to local road authorities to support repair and rehabilitation projects to meet state and federal wetland mitigation requirements. Program details are handled by BWSR, which provides payment directly to the landowners for the right to restore the wetlands.
“This program is a win-win for wetland protection and essential for getting road improvement projects completed,” BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said. “It takes the burden of wetland mitigation off local road authorities, while also providing flexible options for participating landowners. Landowners, local road authorities, and our water resources all benefit.”
Landowners can work with their local soil and water conservation district staff to prepare applications. The application period opened today and closes Nov. 13. Information about how to apply can be found here.