November 17, 2022

St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is now accepting grant applications for the Clean Water Legacy Partners Pilot Program, a new initiative that seeks to protect, enhance and restore water quality throughout the state. Eligible applicants are tribal governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

“These grants offer new opportunities to accomplish important water quality protection or restoration work,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “We look forward to seeing the results from these partnerships through this new pilot program.”

A total of $500,000 from the Clean Water Fund is available to each of the two eligible applicant groups. Grant requests must be between $25,001 and $250,000; a non-state match of at least 10%, provided via cash or in-kind services, is required. The grants can be used for a wide range of conservation activities including urban stormwater practices, agricultural best management practices, shoreline stabilization projects, well sealing and public engagement efforts. Read more about the program in BWSR’s Snapshots newsletter.

The application period opens today and closes Feb. 15, 2023. For more information on how to apply, see the program’s Request for Proposals on BWSR’s website.

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.

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BWSR is the state soil and water conservation agency, and it administers programs that prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; and protect wetlands. The 20-member board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. BWSR's mission is to improve and protect Minnesota's water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners