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Contact: Mary Juhl; (651)-215-9008

ST. PAUL — Local governments can apply for multipurpose drainage management grants following the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Board approving up to $1.8 million for these efforts at its September meeting. Up to $900,000 is available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, plus an additional $900,000 available in FY 2027. 

Eligible applicants include counties, watershed districts, soil and water conservation districts and local government joint powers boards. Applicants must be working under a state-approved and locally-adopted local water management plan, comprehensive watershed management plan or soil and water conservation district comprehensive plan. 

"These grants support management practices that reduce erosion and sedimentation, reduce peak flows and flooding and improve water quality, while also protecting drainage system efficiency and reducing the need for drainage system maintenance," BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said. 

Applications will be accepted starting October 6. Local governments can apply for grants continually while funding remains available. Batching period dates and available funding amounts can be found on the MDM Program page. Local governments can learn more and apply for grants on BWSR’s website. 

"The use of quarterly batching periods the last year was largely successful at allowing a more flexible grant program to align with our partners workflow and timelines. We are excited to continue with that model," Jaschke said. 

Funding is provided by the Minnesota Clean Water Fund. 

About the Minnesota Clean Water Fund: Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008 to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. The Clean Water Fund receives 33 percent of the sales tax revenue generated by the Legacy Amendment. More information about the Clean Water Fund is available here. 

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.