Watonwan River Watershed offers funding to landowners When it comes to correcting, im proving or reworking natural resource concerns, the dollars to do those proj- ects are not always readily available. But new State grant funds through the Watonwan River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan may make those projects more viable, ir the Jand falls within the Watonwan River Watershed. Over $350,000 in grant funds are available through the Watonwan River Watershed Implementation Grant, with the grant period running through Dec. 31, 2023. "This enables us to cover priority is- sues as they pertain to the landscape," says Jacob Gross, watershed techni- cian, who works for the Cottonwood Soil and Water Conservation District. "These grants are the first step in funding projects on private lands and supporting our long journey toward improving our local water quality" Gross explains that the Watonwan River Watershed encompasses 875 square miles in six counties- Brown, Blue all cost to their farming operation." There is a 50% cost share, up to $1.00 per well, on well sealings, while urban practices provide an 8% cost share with up to 85,000 per project. Those urban practices could include rain gardens, vegetation swales and other stormwater storage and treat- ment projects. "These are great ways to treat our stormwater," Gross says, referring to runoff from driveways and roads that may have recelved salt in the winter and lawns where chemical and fertil- izer was applied. "When water goes into the storm drains, it flows into the nearest river, lake, or stream. We want to remove those contaminants before the to 85% cost share and not to exceed S50,000 per contract, solely using grant Comprehensive Watershed Manage ment Plan, which was finalized in 2021. It was one of the first plans in the $10,000 per contract. However, correct- state to be complet ed and took several years to gather and write. There are many partners in the plan, including state and federal agencies, as well as funds. Shoreland protection provides 85% of the cost of the project with up to ing the erosion issues through this portion of the grant can only be done on high priority lakes outlined in the watershed plan. Additionally, landowners who have been selected for funding through the federal NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) on the same project can receive up to 95% cost share by incorporating both state and federal funding. "We're going to follow NRCS prac- tice standards." Gross notes. "These standards will help ensure the infra structure wil s landscape for years to come." Another perk through this grant includes design work and estimates from local technical service area engineers and SWCD staff, at no cost to the landowner. "SWCDS will be the main line of communication between the engineers and landowner to ensure all aspects of the project are included," Gross explains. Cover crops are a three year con- tract at a fixed rate, the cost per acre depends on if single or multiple spe cies mixes are used. A total of $10,320 is available. "These funds are benefiting local landowners," Gross maintains. "The big hesitation landowners have when approaching these projects is the over Jacob Gross local input. "This is locally driven, concerning the issues on the landscape-com- ments from the public and everybody in this watershed were taken into account and put into this plan," Gross emphasizes. So, what kinds of projects are eligible and how much does the grant money cover This initial $350,000 implementation grant will focus on funding erosion control structures, cover erop imple mentation, shoreland stabilization, urban rainwater treatment projects and well sealing. These conservation practices aim to reduce sedimentation and excess nutrient input to surface waters and prevent contaminants from entering our groundwaters. For example, structural and engi neering projects could include grass waterways, terraces, grade stabiliza tions, water and sediment control ba sins and side inlets. There is $250,00 available for those projects, with up runoff A total of $20,000 is available for well sealings and $10,000 for urban water storage and treatment projects. Projects in each funding category are prioritized. "We have a ranking sheet that we folow with each application and an ap- plication must reach a minimum score to be eligible." Gross adds. "Because have limited funds, this method allows us to fairly prioritize projects in the watershed." Consequently, not all projects are approved. if anyone has questions about the grant or applying for grant funds, they are encouraged to contact the SWCD in their county or Gross at the Cot- tonwood SWCD in Windom, at 507-832- 887. enters the system. stay funetional on the Earth, Martin and almost all of Watonwan. "What this plan is trying to ac- complish is to help fund and provide outreach to folks on best management practices in urban and agricultural settings," Gross continues. "All proj- ects completed through this funding will help improve the quality of our surface and groundwater." Money has been made available to those in the watershed as the result of completion of the Watonwan River 1. Cottonwood, Jackson. Watonwan River Watershed Implementation Grant THIS GRANT IS OUR FIRST STEP IN FUNDING PROJECTS ON PRIVATE LANDS AND Brown SWCD 300 2nd Ave. SW SUPPORTING OUR LONG JOURNEY TOWARD IMPROVING OUR LOCAL WATER QUALITY. Sleepy Eye Grant Funding includes all project engineering designs and cost estimates PROJECTS COVERED BY THE GRANT- 507-794-2553 Structural and Engineering Projects Cover Crops Shoreland Protection Blue Earth SWCD Brown 1160 S Victory Dr. 13 Mankato Well Sealing Urban 507-345-4744 Practices Cottonwood SWCD 210 10th Street Windom 507-832-8287 Blue Earth Cottonwood Jackson SWCD Watonwan 603 South Hwy. 86 Lakefield 507-662-6682 Martin SWCD 923 N State St. #110 Fairmont 507-235-6680 Jackson Martin Watonwan SWCD 108 8th St. S Land located in the boundary of the map provided is eligible to submit an application St. James Grant Period- March 24, 2021 to December 31, 2023 507-375-1225 Watonwan River Watershed offers funding to landowners When it comes to correcting, im proving or reworking natural resource concerns, the dollars to do those proj- ects are not always readily available. But new State grant funds through the Watonwan River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan may make those projects more viable, ir the Jand falls within the Watonwan River Watershed. Over $350,000 in grant funds are available through the Watonwan River Watershed Implementation Grant, with the grant period running through Dec. 31, 2023. "This enables us to cover priority is- sues as they pertain to the landscape," says Jacob Gross, watershed techni- cian, who works for the Cottonwood Soil and Water Conservation District. "These grants are the first step in funding projects on private lands and supporting our long journey toward improving our local water quality" Gross explains that the Watonwan River Watershed encompasses 875 square miles in six counties- Brown, Blue all cost to their farming operation." There is a 50% cost share, up to $1.00 per well, on well sealings, while urban practices provide an 8% cost share with up to 85,000 per project. Those urban practices could include rain gardens, vegetation swales and other stormwater storage and treat- ment projects. "These are great ways to treat our stormwater," Gross says, referring to runoff from driveways and roads that may have recelved salt in the winter and lawns where chemical and fertil- izer was applied. "When water goes into the storm drains, it flows into the nearest river, lake, or stream. We want to remove those contaminants before the to 85% cost share and not to exceed S50,000 per contract, solely using grant Comprehensive Watershed Manage ment Plan, which was finalized in 2021. It was one of the first plans in the $10,000 per contract. However, correct- state to be complet ed and took several years to gather and write. There are many partners in the plan, including state and federal agencies, as well as funds. Shoreland protection provides 85% of the cost of the project with up to ing the erosion issues through this portion of the grant can only be done on high priority lakes outlined in the watershed plan. Additionally, landowners who have been selected for funding through the federal NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) on the same project can receive up to 95% cost share by incorporating both state and federal funding. "We're going to follow NRCS prac- tice standards." Gross notes. "These standards will help ensure the infra structure wil s landscape for years to come." Another perk through this grant includes design work and estimates from local technical service area engineers and SWCD staff, at no cost to the landowner. "SWCDS will be the main line of communication between the engineers and landowner to ensure all aspects of the project are included," Gross explains. Cover crops are a three year con- tract at a fixed rate, the cost per acre depends on if single or multiple spe cies mixes are used. A total of $10,320 is available. "These funds are benefiting local landowners," Gross maintains. "The big hesitation landowners have when approaching these projects is the over Jacob Gross local input. "This is locally driven, concerning the issues on the landscape-com- ments from the public and everybody in this watershed were taken into account and put into this plan," Gross emphasizes. So, what kinds of projects are eligible and how much does the grant money cover This initial $350,000 implementation grant will focus on funding erosion control structures, cover erop imple mentation, shoreland stabilization, urban rainwater treatment projects and well sealing. These conservation practices aim to reduce sedimentation and excess nutrient input to surface waters and prevent contaminants from entering our groundwaters. For example, structural and engi neering projects could include grass waterways, terraces, grade stabiliza tions, water and sediment control ba sins and side inlets. There is $250,00 available for those projects, with up runoff A total of $20,000 is available for well sealings and $10,000 for urban water storage and treatment projects. Projects in each funding category are prioritized. "We have a ranking sheet that we folow with each application and an ap- plication must reach a minimum score to be eligible." Gross adds. "Because have limited funds, this method allows us to fairly prioritize projects in the watershed." Consequently, not all projects are approved. if anyone has questions about the grant or applying for grant funds, they are encouraged to contact the SWCD in their county or Gross at the Cot- tonwood SWCD in Windom, at 507-832- 887. enters the system. stay funetional on the Earth, Martin and almost all of Watonwan. "What this plan is trying to ac- complish is to help fund and provide outreach to folks on best management practices in urban and agricultural settings," Gross continues. "All proj- ects completed through this funding will help improve the quality of our surface and groundwater." Money has been made available to those in the watershed as the result of completion of the Watonwan River 1. Cottonwood, Jackson. Watonwan River Watershed Implementation Grant THIS GRANT IS OUR FIRST STEP IN FUNDING PROJECTS ON PRIVATE LANDS AND Brown SWCD 300 2nd Ave. SW SUPPORTING OUR LONG JOURNEY TOWARD IMPROVING OUR LOCAL WATER QUALITY. Sleepy Eye Grant Funding includes all project engineering designs and cost estimates PROJECTS COVERED BY THE GRANT- 507-794-2553 Structural and Engineering Projects Cover Crops Shoreland Protection Blue Earth SWCD Brown 1160 S Victory Dr. 13 Mankato Well Sealing Urban 507-345-4744 Practices Cottonwood SWCD 210 10th Street Windom 507-832-8287 Blue Earth Cottonwood Jackson SWCD Watonwan 603 South Hwy. 86 Lakefield 507-662-6682 Martin SWCD 923 N State St. #110 Fairmont 507-235-6680 Jackson Martin Watonwan SWCD 108 8th St. S Land located in the boundary of the map provided is eligible to submit an application St. James Grant Period- March 24, 2021 to December 31, 2023 507-375-1225