DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Submit Clean Water Fund Competitive Grant Application For Well Seal Grants
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize submission of a $100,000 Clean Water Fund (CWF) Competitive Grant application to the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) to continue to support the Dakota County Well Seal Grant Program.
SUMMARY
The State CWF was established with the purpose of protecting, enhancing, and restoring water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, in addition to protecting groundwater and drinking water sources from degradation. The CWF Competitive Grant is a biennial application process. The County Board of Commissioners approved using CWF dollars to support the Well Seal Grant Program during the last application round by Resolution No. 24-369 (July 30, 2024).
Staff proposes to apply for the 2027 CWF Competitive Grant to continue to support the Dakota County Well Seal Grant Program. Grant funds will be used for staff time in project development, program management, and administration costs. The grant will also provide up to 50 percent cost-share funding to reimburse property owners for sealing unused wells. Requesting continued CWF support for well sealing activities is important. The Well Seal Grant Program provides over $80,000 annually in cost-share to property owners.
Unsealed water supply wells not in use pose a threat to health, safety, and the environment by providing a potential conduit for contamination from the surface down to drinking water aquifers. MN Statute 103I requires well owners to seal unused wells. A well must be sealed by a licensed well contractor. The costs associated with well sealing can be a financial burden for the well owner, so well sealing grants provide an incentive for well owners to bring their properties into compliance with the law.
Dakota County is eligible to receive this grant because of the adopted 2020-2030 Dakota County Groundwater Plan. This effort is in support of the Dakota County Groundwater Plan strategy 1C2 to “prevent groundwater contamination by getting unused, unsealed wells sealed.” The required non-state, 10 percent grant match will be achieved through landowner 50 percent cost-share match; therefore, additional funding from Dakota County is not anticipated. The application deadline is March 25, 2026. Grant awards are expected in July 2026. Grant projects must be completed by December 31, 2029.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the County Board authorize staff to submit a $100,000 CWF grant application to BWSR to support the Well Seal Grant Program.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
If awarded, staff will submit a separate board action requesting authorization to execute the award and amend the 2026 Environmental Resources Operating Budget. The ten percent CWF grant match will be covered by the landowner’s 50 percent well seal cost-share match.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the State Clean Water Fund (CWF) through the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources was established for the purpose of protecting, enhancing, and restoring water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, in addition to protecting groundwater and drinking water sources from degradation; and
WHEREAS, staff proposes to apply for the 2027 CWF Competitive Grant to continue to support the Dakota County Well Seal Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, grant funds will be used for staff time in project development, program management, and administration costs and provide 50 percent cost-share funding to reimburse property owners for sealing unused wells; and
WHEREAS, unsealed water supply wells not in use pose a threat to health, safety, and the environment by providing a potential conduit for contamination from the surface down to drinking water aquifers; and
WHEREAS, this grant request supports the Dakota County Groundwater Plan strategy 1C2 to “prevent groundwater contamination by getting unused, unsealed wells sealed”; and
WHEREAS, the required ten percent non-state grant match will be offset by the landowner’s 50 percent cost-share match; and
WHEREAS, the grant application deadline is March 25, 2026, and the grant expiration date is December 31, 2029.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes staff to submit a Clean Water Fund grant application to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to support the Well Seal Grant Program for an amount up to $100,000.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-369; 7/30/24
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Nikki Stewart
Author: Valerie Neppl