Board of Water and Soil Resources to issue $12.5 million in grants to counties affected by June floods

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Following passage of the flood relief bill as enacted by the Legislature and the Governor last Friday, the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will begin issuing up to $12.5 million in grants and cost share funding to affected local governments to assist communities and landowners repair flood damage lands, streams and related infrastructure.

“We want to get this money out to the affected areas as soon as possible,” said John Jaschke, BWSR executive director. “There is a lot of work that must get started soon to repair the damages inflicted by the June flood events.”

Some $11 million was appropriated for erosion, sediment and water quality control projects, and $1.5 million was appropriated for the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program, for purchase of perpetual conservation easements for lands that were damaged beyond repair in the storm event. Examples of projects that will take place include stream channel restoration and stabilization of landslide areas that threaten public or private property.

The BWSR Board established the following criteria that will apply to the funds:

These funds shall be used to match or leverage federal funds where feasible, or used when federal funds are not available.

State disaster assistance funds provided are intended to serve only as an advance of funds to enable the recipient to begin disaster recovery efforts. Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and landowners are expected to apply for all available non-state assistance and reimburse the state funds when federal or other funds become available.

Additionally, the legislation authorizes BWSR to develop alternative standards and procedures for wetlands affected by the storm event. BWSR will work in conjunction with local governments to address emergency situations or disaster recovery efforts relating to wetlands in the affected counties to allow work to begin quickly while assuring wetland protection will meet the state’s no-net-loss requirements.

Landowners with damage to land should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District for more details.

Tags: carlton county, flood 2012, minnesota