State Programs
Buffer Law Implementation Grant
This grant provides funding and assistance for buffer law implementation. It allows SWCDs to offer landowners technical assistance and outreach services. Grant dollars may also be used for any necessary equipment purchases, drainage system mapping and map reviewing as needed, and other buffer law implementation activities. Funding for this grant is provided through the Clean Water Fund.
Conservation Contracts
The Conservation Contract Program provides cost share funding to Soil & Water Conservation Districts for practices, projects, or systems for erosion or sedimentation control, improvements to water quality or water quantity, habitat enhancement, plant biodiversity, energy conservation, or climate adaptation, resiliency, or mitigation. Through the Conservation Contracts Program, land occupiers can request financial and technical assistance from their local SWCD office for the implementation of conservation practices. There are a wide number of best management practices available.
CWL - Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment Cost-Share
The Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment Cost-Share funding has been made available for select projects that will accelerate the protection or restoration of water quality. SWCDs and other local units of government (LGUs) submit application requests for specific projects. Click here for more information: Legislative Coordinating Commission
Clean Water Fund Stories http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/cleanwaterfund/stories
Drinking Water Protection Expanding Southeast MN Nitrate Reduction and Water Protection Program (DWP)
Funding for this program is available on a first-come first-served basis with the purpose for nitrate-reducing BMPs.
Projects will be related to:
MRTN N Rate Incentives – Producers will be adopting nitrogen rates using University of Minnesota acceptable nitrogen rates.
Nitrogen Stabilizer Incentive – Producers will incorporate using nitrogen stabilizers on fall-applied manure when soil temperatures is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and using nitrogen stabilizers and/or inhibitors on spring – and in-season- applied commercial fertilizers.
Split Nitrogen Rate Incentive – Producers will be trying side-dress nitrogen application using University of Minnesota acceptable nitrogen rates.
Well Sealing – Well owners interested in sealing a well can qualify for 75% cost share or $3,500, whichever is less. Well owners meeting financial hardship criteria (less than 300% of the federal poverty level), through the Alternative Nitrate Mitigation Program, may be eligible for 100% of project costs.
This grant is made possible by the State of Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).
Intensive Watershed Monitoring
The primary objective of this project is to obtain spatial and long-term pollutant load information from Minnesota’s rivers and streams, in particular, the Root River watershed in SE MN. To accomplish this, the area SWCDs are assisting the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) with water quality monitoring. Approximately 23 grab samples will be collected at each of the five sub-watershed sites per year, and approximately 5 grab samples will be collected at the Root River outlet site between ice-out and October 31st, annually for the Watershed Pollutant Load Monitoring Network (WPLMN). The samples will be collected along with field measurements and observations using procedures described in the WPLMN Standard Operating Procedures and Guidance (SOPG). For IWM (Intensive Watershed Monitoring), 11 grab samples will be collected in 2026 and 8 grab samples will be collected in 2027 following IWM Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Quality Assurance and Quality Control samples will be collected following these guidelines each year.
MDA Spring Grove Township Walkover Program - (Includes the following townships: Spring Grove, Black Hammer, Caledonia, Mayville and Wilmington)
Root River SWCD provides technical assistance for project design, follow up and scheduling for project implementation, as well as construction oversight and/or evaluation of finished projects. Projects developed through this initiative will be derived from an individual farm walkover process performed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Structural, ecological, and nutrient management practices will be prioritized on individual farms and developed through coordination with farmer clients. Projects will have the potential to reduce soil erosion, enhance soil health, and/or reduce nitrate leaching into groundwater. Targeted townships in Houston County are focus areas based on the result of the final round of township private well testing in Houston County.
Root River SWCD provides support work to perform outreach, field walkovers, project design, administrative duties, and related activities.
MDA (MN Department of Agriculture) Private Well Mitigation – RO Systems
This grant provides funds for nitrate and pesticide treatment in private drinking water wells with concentrations at or above the Health Risk Limit (10mg/L or above nitrate – N concentrations and/or elevated pesticide concentrations).
The grant provides mitigation through professional installation of reverse osmosis treatment systems, adhering to the specifications of the grant’s Scope of Work and including one year of system maintenance.
MDH Well Inventory
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is collaborating with local partners, such as Soil and Water Conservation Districts, to conduct well inventories to identify private wells that are not in the Minnesota Well Index (MWI). The vision of MDH is for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy. Health equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to attain their health potential.
RCPP - Regional Conservation Partnership Program
The Lower Mississippi River Feedlot Management in Minnesota project is leveraging State funding from BWSR to provide match for a United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project. BWSR provides technical and financial assistance to plan and design projects to mitigate feedlot run-off from smaller open lot feedlots in southeastern Minnesota.
RIM – Reinvest in Minnesota
The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Program, one of the first such programs of its kind in the country, began in 1986 and is administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Landowners are compensated for retiring environmentally sensitive lands into easements that protect and improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat on privately owned lands. Managed through a conservation plan, practices are established by planting native vegetation and restoring wetlands. Other benefits include flood control and groundwater recharge.
Root River One Watershed, One Plan Program
Root River, Olmsted, Fillmore, Winona, Mower and Steele counties’ and SWCDs along with the Crooked Creek watershed district have joined together to work cooperatively as one watershed rather than individual counties and SWCDs to protect water quality as the Root River Watershed as a whole. Project specific funding has been awarded to the Root River One Watershed, One Plan group.
Safe Drinking Water for Private Well Users Assistance Program
Private well owners in Houston, Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Wabasha and Winona counties are eligible for financial assistance to address drinking water quality concerns in their private wells. Phase II of the Safe Drinking Water for Private Well Users’ Assistance Program offers free certified testing results for arsenic, bacteria, lead, manganese and nitrate testing. It also provides funding to eligible landowners or renters to repair an existing well, drill a new well or install a water treatment system by a licensed well driller and/or licensed plumber. The SWCDs in these counties were provided funding through the MN Department of Health’s Clean Water Funds to facilitate the program.
Well owners that meet the financial hardship criteria, and the well eligibility requirements will be prioritized for funding. The private water supply must be used as a source of potable drinking water for the residence to qualify for financial assistance. Funding is available on a first come, first served basis.
SWCD Aid
Root River Soil and Water Conservation Aid Resolution
Soil Health Delivery
The purpose of this formula grant is to support local efforts to raise awareness about soil health practices via outreach and education. The grant is flexible and allows for other activities such as increased staffing and practice implementation.
Funding may be used broadly for financial assistance and technical support activities needed to promote and facilitate the enhanced adoption of soil health practices and systems to achieve water quality, drinking water, climate, or associated benefits consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.06.
Root River SWCD will be using these grant dollars to provide a flat rate payment to Houston County landowners/operators to implement cover crops following the NRCS FOTG standards. Rates will follow the Root River One Watershed, One Plan and the WinLaC One Watershed, One Plan.
Southeast MN Volunteer Nitrate Monitoring Network
This program is a continued partnership with the SE MN Water Resources Board. Funding assistance has been awarded by the state of Minnesota through a Minnesota Department of Agriculture grant. The program is a study of long-term trend monitoring for nitrates in drinking water from private wells. Volunteer participants from various nodes throughout the county provide samples of their well water for nitrate testing. These samples are submitted to a certified lab. Through testing, the nitrate level is determined. The Root River SWCD acts as the county well network coordinator. An up-to-date database is maintained with well locations of the volunteer participants along with their contact information. The SWCD works with a certified lab by providing them the volunteer participants’ information and serves as a local contact for the volunteer participants. They also distribute newsletters to well owner participants semi-annually and provide written reports of activity to the SE Minnesota Water Resource Board.
Win/LaC (Winona/La Crescent) One Watershed, One Plan
Root River SWCD (Pine Creek subwatershed), Houston County, Fillmore SWCD, Olmsted SWCD & county, Wabasha SWCD & county and City of Winona, Winona County & SWCD along with TSA7 (Technical Service Area 7) have joined together to work cooperatively as one watershed rather than individual entities to protect water quality as the Win/LaC Watershed as a whole. Project specific funding has been awarded to the Win/LaC One Watershed, One Plan group.