Grant Profile: Local Water Management (NRBG)

Grant Description

The Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) is a composite of base grants available to local government units that help them implement programs designed to protect and improve water resources. The Local Water Management Program is a voluntary program that requires counties to use local task forces to develop and implement water plans based on their priorities. 

A county may be eligible for a grant amount that is based in part on the Comprehensive Local Water Plan County Levy as determined by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. For grants issued FY19 and prior, a local levy or cash equivalent match is required, and the levy amount must be calculated using county funds only. There is no match requirement for grants issued FY20 and beyond.

Policy allows recipients of the Natural Resources Block Grant to “flex” spending of the grant allocation and match across the Local Water Management, Wetland Conservation Act, and Shoreland grants.
 

Reporting Overview

Grant recipients are required to report on grant outcomes, activities, and accomplishments in eLINK according to the requirements outlined in the grant agreement and policies within BWSR’s Grants Administration Manual.   The Local Water Management grant does not require a workplan. Expenses should be reported in eLINK, and a description of how the funds were used should be entered in the Actual Results field, e.g. “Funds used to administer local water management program.  The full amount of this grant is typically paid to the grantee upon execution of the NRBG grant agreement or, in the case of the second year of a biennial grant agreement, will be paid after July 1 of the second fiscal year.