For release: Feb. 26, 2013 Contact: Jennifer Maleitzke, 651-215-9008 (office); 651-315-5082 (cell)
BWSR issues more than $3.5 million in flood relief grants
St. Paul, Minn.—The second phase of flood relief is on the way to counties and landowners affected by last June’s severe storms.
Today, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) issued more than $3.58 million to seven soil and water conservation districts, including: South St. Louis ($1,938,403), Pine ($240,000), Lake ($367,233), Aitkin ($246,755), Goodhue ($381,956), Dakota ($125,000) and Rice ($277,951).
“Last fall, we directed more than $1 million to address emergency situations,” John Jaschke, BWSR Executive Director said. “Now, after assessing need, determining eligible projects, and working with partners on funding sources, this round of grants will tackle ‘ready-to-go’ projects to help landowners fix their properties."
The funds will be used for erosion, sediment and water quality control projects such as stream channel restorations and stabilization of landslide areas that threaten public or private property. Some specific projects include:
These grants will provide funding to complete 166 projects, all managed by local governments. Recommendations for this funding was provided by the MN Recovers Task Force, a team of federal, state and local agencies working together to prioritize and coordinate disaster recovery efforts by its member agencies.
Following passage of the flood relief bill during a special legislative session last August, BWSR was appropriated $12.5 million in grants and cost share funding. The agency will be issuing more grants in the near future as it prioritizes requests and completes preliminary project designs submitted by local governments.
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