Contact: Celi Haga
651-315-5082
St. Paul, Minn.— Cleaner, clearer water. Healthier lakes, rivers, and streams. Today, Minnesota took another step forward toward its water quality goals thanks to funding support provided by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved more than $13 million in 2017 Clean Water Fund grants at its December meeting for local government projects benefiting Minnesota’s streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater.
“Around Minnesota, local government staff and private landowners are working in partnership with the state to make a difference for our water quality,” BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said. “Whether it’s restoring wetlands, reducing nutrient runoff, or modernizing septic systems to protect drinking water, these projects are prioritized and targeted to maximize the impact of the Clean Water Fund on our state’s natural resources.”
The Clean Water Legacy funds are used to both protect at-risk waters and target polluted waters throughout the state. Irrigation management, bank stabilization, stream restorations, and well sealing are just some of this year’s projects. BWSR’s Clean Water Fund grants include project funding, grants to accelerate implementation of clean water work, support of community partners programming, and drainage management.
BWSR funded 78 applications totaling $13.4 million dollars this round, but interest in this program continues to outpace available funding. 171 applications were received, totaling $34.4 million in requests.
Some examples of funded projects:
To see detailed project information and maps showing how the Legacy funds are affecting the land and waters important to you, visit www.bwsr.state.mn.us.
Governor Mark Dayton has declared a Year of Water Action in the state of Minnesota. Governor Dayton has called on Minnesotans to examine their individual responsibility in keeping Minnesota’s water drinkable, swimmable, and fishable for generations to come. Find out more at online at mn.gov/governor or on social media using #WaterActionMN.
Contact: Celi Haga
651-215-9008
St. Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is charged with overseeing program implementation of the buffer law. The agency is currently seeking public comment on key components of its Buffer program.
The Requests for Comment and supporting documents are available on the BWSR Buffer Program website: http://bwsr.state.mn.us/buffers/. BWSR is looking for feedback on the following policies and model rules.
Comments from stakeholders are a key part of the process, and will be considered during policy development. Anticipated action on these policies is expected at the January 2017 BWSR Board meeting.
Information and comments on the policies and model rules will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on January 9, 2017. Comments may be submitted via email to buffers.bwsr@state.mn.us or via U.S. mail to David Weirens, Asst. Director for Programs and Policy, BWSR, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Contact: Celi Haga
651-315-5082
St. Paul, Minn., - The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is pleased to announce that Melissa Barrick, District Manager for the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been honored as the 2016 Outstanding District Employee of the Year.
Melissa has worked for the Crow Wing SWCD since 2008, when she joined the district as its water planner. In 2011 she became the district manager. During her time at the district, Melissa has become a leader in the Crow Wing and Pine River Watersheds, excelling in community engagement and collaborative efforts to enhance and restore the area’s vital water resources.
One of Melissa’s most recent accomplishments is securing $1.2 million in Clean Water Funds for the Serpent Lake Targeted Watershed Project. This complex, multi-faced project is a high priority in the local water plan and Melissa has brought together numerous city officials, citizens, contractors, lake association members, and other local public and private partners to build support for the work. As part of this project, Melissa worked to steer the cities of Crosby and Deerwood and the Irondale Township to adopt stormwater ordinances for future development and redevelopment based on Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS).
Other accomplishments this year included the construction of a stormwater pond, infiltration basin, and an alum treatment to remove high concentrations of phosphorous from Cranberry Lake. Melissa also garnered grant funding for a project on Big Trout Lake, the only lake in Crow Wing County that supports lake trout.
Melissa’s management style, skills, and communication were critical to the successful implementation of these projects. She works to continually improve Crow Wing SWCD’s capacity for environmental conservation, and has built a team of resource professionals committed to making a difference for the community. She has demonstrated vision and is proactive in searching out ways to make the organization more efficient and effective.
“Melissa is a proactive leader who knows how to engage her community in support of the conservation mission,” BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said. “Her ability to think outside the box and create these partnerships has resulted in a diversified program that meet the needs of Crow Wing County and the surrounding region.”
The Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee of the Year is awarded at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ convention, held annually in December.
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BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke with Crow Wing SWCD’s Melissa Barrick, the 2016 District Employee of the Year. |