County Board actions: Grants fund soil and water conservation projects

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

HC_alltemplatesbanner_2013

Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969

=============

County board actions

Votes Tuesday build plans for the possibility of a nuclear emergency at Monticello plant, support water conservation and quality projects, repair damages from excessive rain last year and reallocate federal block grant funds in Brooklyn Park.

=============
test header

Grant will fund soil and water conservation projects

The board approved agreements with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to provide non-competitive, formula-based grants to the county totaling $234,431 to deliver soil and water conservation services.  One $83,827 block grant will be used to support local government water planning, enforce the Wetland Conservation Act, inspect septic systems and administer volunteer water monitoring programs.  A program and operation grant of $40,604 will be used to provide technical assistance and cost-sharing funds to landowners to implement conservation practices. The state board made new funding available this year that includes a $100,000 organizational capacity grant to increase conservative services provided throughout the county, and a $10,000 buffer implementation grant to carry out duties to implement the state’s new law that requires vegetation buffers along rivers, streams, and ditches.

Learn more about soil and water conservation grants.

test footer

State cost-sharing will enable repair of soil damage from 2014 rains

The board accepted $308,000 in Disaster Recovery Assistance Program funds to repair damages from excessive rainfall in June 2014. The Minnesota Legislature authorized the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) and appropriated cost-share funding during the 2015 first special session. The board also approved cost-share policy that prioritizes use of current and future program funds. The funding will be used by:

  • The City of Bloomington, $70,000, to restore and stabilize multiple stream banks in the Lower Valley area along Nine Mile Creek.
  • The City of Champlin, $188,000, to stabilize the shoreline and restore the slope along the Mississippi River at multiple locations.
  • Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, $50,000, to repair erosion and restore the slope at multiple locations.

Learn more about disaster recovery plans.

=============

Plan builds foundation for emergency nuclear response

The county board approved receipt of a $240,000 allocation from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The funding enables Hennepin County to maintain a pre-designated county emergency facility in Rogers, which is outside the plume exposure pathway in the case of a radiological release at the Monticello nuclear plant. This reception center, located at Rogers High School, is a place for residents of Sherburne and Wright counties to come for evaluation in the event of an emergency at the nuclear plant. Two $60,000 allocations to be received in state fiscal year 2015 and 2016 are used primarily for costs associated with training and exercising volunteer staff. County staff time and associated costs are also related planning activities, some equipment and for attendance at meetings and conferences.

Learn more about the Radiological Emergency Preparedness program

 

Reallocated block grant funds to fund Zanewood Recreation Center project

At the request of the City of Brooklyn Park, the board agreed to reallocate $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds within Brooklyn Park, from the Village Creek Streetscape Improvement project to a new project, at Zanewood Recreation Center. The reallocation of funds will facilitate improvements to the recreation center serving low-income neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the facility. 

Learn more about the reallocation request

=============

– 30 –

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.