DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Minnesota Board Of Water And Soil Resources Natural Resources Block Grant Program Agreement
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Environmental Resources Department Director to execute a Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources for the state fiscal year 2026 and 2027 Natural Resources Block Grant Program.
SUMMARY
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources’ (BWSR) Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) is a composite of allocations available to counties to implement programs that protect and improve water resources.
Within the NRBG are four core programs funded through the state’s general fund: Local Water Management (LWM), Wetland Conservation Act (WCA), Shoreland, and Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS). The LWM, WCA, and Shoreland programs are funded through an annual appropriation to BWSR. The SSTS program is funded through an interagency agreement between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and BWSR and may include multiple allocations in a given state fiscal year. The Grant Agreement requires the County to transfer WCA funding directly to the Soil and Water Conservation District. The LWM and Shoreland funding are used for staffing, and the SSTS funding is used for staffing and to provide cost-share grants to low-income homeowners for repairing or replacing failing septic systems.
The following is a summary of the program allocations in the Grant Agreement:
|
Allocation |
Amount |
|
FY 2026 LWM |
$8,094 |
|
FY 2026 WCA |
$52,804 |
|
FY 2026 Shoreland |
$2,615 |
|
FY 2026 SSTS |
$65,117 |
|
FY 2027 LWM |
$8,094 |
|
FY 2027 WCA |
$52,804 |
|
FY 2027 Shoreland |
$2,615 |
|
Total |
$192,143 |
The Grant Agreement effective date begins once BWSR executes the agreement after obtaining County approval and signature. The Grant Agreement expires on December 31, 2028, or when all agreement obligations have been fulfilled, whichever comes first.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommend the Board authorize the Environmental Resources Department Director to execute the Grant Agreement with the BWSR.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The Grant Agreement allocations are included in the 2026 Adopted Budget and will be included in the 2027 County Manager’s Recommended Budget. If the County decides to decline future funding, staff will work with BWSR to terminate the agreement.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources’ (BWSR) Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) is a composite of allocations available to counties to implement programs that protect and improve water resources; and
WHEREAS, within the NRBG are four core programs funded through the state’s general fund: Local Water Management (LWM), Wetland Conservation Act (WCA), Shoreland, and Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS); and
WHEREAS, the LWM, WCA, and Shoreland programs are funded through an annual appropriation to BWSR; and
WHEREAS, the SSTS program is funded through an interagency agreement between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and BWSR and may include multiple allocations in a given state fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the Grant Agreement requires the County to transfer WCA funding directly to the Soil and Water Conservation District; and
WHEREAS, the LWM and Shoreland funding is used for staffing, and the SSTS funding is used for staffing and to provide cost-share grants to low-income homeowners for repairing or replacing failing septic systems; and
WHEREAS, the following is a summary of the program allocations in the Grant Agreement:
Allocation Amount
FY 2026 LWM $8,094
FY 2026 WCA $52,804
FY 2026 Shoreland $2,615
FY 2026 SSTS $65,117
FY 2027 LWM $8,094
FY 2027 WCA $52,804
FY 2027 Shoreland $2,615
Total $192,143
; and
WHEREAS, the Grant Agreement effective date begins once BWSR executes the agreement after obtaining County approval and signature; and
WHEREAS, the Grant Agreement expires on December 31, 2028, or when all agreement obligations have been fulfilled, whichever comes first.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Environmental Resources Department Director to execute the Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources for the state fiscal year 2026 and 2027 Natural Resources Block Grant Program.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Grant Agreement
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: Brad Becker