Contact: Celi Haga
651-215-9008 (Office)
St. Paul, Minn. – Continuing efforts to help counties recover from damages left in the wake of the heavy rains of 2014, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) announced an additional $2 million in grants in the third phase of flood relief funding. Fifteen counties will use the funds to implement conservation practices to address erosion and water quality problems associated with imminent threats to private or public improvements or to repair, rehabilitate, or replace existing conservation practices on private lands.
“Our local government partners have done great work to determine the best practices to address water quality, health, and safety issues,” explained John Jaschke, BWSR Executive Director. “If there are wells at risk of contamination or roads in danger of washing out, these funds will enable counties to take action."
The 15 local governments are the soil and water conservation districts in the following counties: Blue Earth, Chippewa, Freeborn, Jackson, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Pipestone, Ramsey, Redwood, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Steele, and Wright.
Previous 2014 flood relief funding included $3 million in May 2016 targeted at implementation of conservation practices where human safety and health is a concern and to address erosion and water quality problems associated with imminent threats to private or public improvements. $7.8 million was awarded in the two previous phases, bringing the total for all three phases to almost $12.9 million.
For more information on BWSR’s Disaster Relief Assistance Program and a list of counties that received BWSR flood recovery grants in this phase, please visit: www.bwsr.state.mn.us.