Contact: Mary Juhl; (612)-358-5733
St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) today approved approximately $76.5 million dollars in Watershed-Based Implementation Funding (WBIF) grants to 54 partnerships in greater Minnesota and 27 partnerships in the metro. BWSR awards WBIF grants to partnerships with an approved comprehensive watershed management plan developed under BWSR’s One Watershed, One Plan Program (1W1P) or under the metro surface water and groundwater frameworks.
These grants signify a shift away from the traditional competitive grant process to a new approach that empowers planning partnerships to pursue projects based on a watershed’s highest priorities. The grants can be used until December 31, 2027.
“Addressing resource concerns on a watershed level makes local conservation efforts more streamlined and effective,” BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said. “These grants allow local governments to work together to target the most pressing needs in their communities.”
To learn more about how local governments have used previous WBIF grants to support watershed priorities, see the following BWSR stories:
WBIF is supported solely by the 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.
December 3, 2018
St. Paul, Minn.—Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Executive Director John Jaschke presented the 2018 Outstanding Watershed District Employee award on Friday, Nov. 30 to Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District Administrator Dan Livdahl. The recognition ceremony took place during the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts’ (MAWD) annual conference in Alexandria.
“Local partners are the driving force behind successful water quality improvement projects,” Jaschke said. “Dan Livdahl’s commitment to preserving our water resources is commendable, and we appreciate all he does to further conservation efforts in Southwest Minnesota.”
Livdahl is the sole employee of the watershed district, where his primary duties involve groundwater and surface water protection efforts. His achievements are proof that a small office can accomplish big goals: In 2016, he helped secure a $428,000 Clean Water Legacy Projects and Practices grant to construct in-stream phosphorus treatment filtration structures on a retired golf course owned by the city of Worthington. Livdahl also coordinates with collaborating agencies, monitors flood prevention structures, and conducts public outreach efforts to increase support for water quality improvement initiatives throughout the southwest region.
In addition to his work for the watershed district, Livdahl is the lead member and coordinator of the Missouri River Watershed One Watershed, One Plan planning effort. He also serves as chair of the Prairie Ecology Bus Center Board of Directors, a non-profit that provides a mobile nature center and ecology lab to residents of southwest Minnesota.
Each year, BWSR celebrates the excellent work accomplished by local government staff to advance conservation efforts across the state. An award for Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee will be presented Dec. 10 at the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ annual conference in Minneapolis.
