DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Submit Grant Applications To Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources And Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 3M PFAS Settlement Priority 2 Grant Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Physical Development Division Director, or their designee, to submit two grant applications to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) 3M PFAS Settlement Priority 2 Grant Program for Spring Lake Park Reserve Land Protection, Restoration, and River Access and Mississippi River Water Access Improvements in South Saint Paul.
SUMMARY
In February 2018, the State of Minnesota and the 3M Company (3M) announced an agreement to settle the State’s natural resources damage lawsuit for environmental harm and losses due to PFAS contamination in the East Metropolitan Area. The settlement agreement’s second priority is to fund projects that restore and enhance aquatic resources, wildlife, habitat, fishing, resource improvement, and outdoor recreational opportunities in the East Metropolitan Area and in downstream areas of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers. Up to $20 million is available in this grant opportunity.
Applicants can apply for no less than $20,000 per project. No match is required. There are three primary approximate allocations for projects within this funding opportunity:
• Wildlife and habitat restoration ($13 million)
• Recreational fishing-related projects ($1 million)
• Outdoor recreation ($6 million)
The first phase of the process was to submit a Letter of Intent that described the activities and outcomes for the projects. Projects that met the passing threshold for the Letters of Intent were invited to submit full grant applications.
Per direction during the March 18, 2025, Physical Development Committee of the Whole, Dakota County submitted Letters of Intent, which were reviewed and invited to submit full grant applications.
1. Spring Lake Park Reserve Land Protection, Restoration, and River Access: $3.3M
2. Mississippi River Water Access Improvements in partnership with the City of South St. Paul: $270,000
If either grant is awarded staff will return to the Board to seek authorization to accept the award and execute grant agreements and related contracts.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that Dakota County submit two grant applications to the DNR and MPCA 3M PFAS Settlement Priority 2 Grant Program: one for Spring Lake Park Reserve Land Protection, Restoration, and River Access for $3.3M and one for Mississippi River Water Access Improvements in South Saint Paul for $270,000.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the funding for the 3M PFAS Settlement Priority 2 Grant Program stems from the 2018 settlement with the 3M Company, which provided compensation to the State of Minnesota for harm done to natural resources and lost natural resource services from the release of PFAS into the environment; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is eligible to apply for these grant funds for projects that align with the settlement goals and take place within the Priority 2 Project Area; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County submitted Letters of Intent for two projects within the Priority 2 Project Area; and
WHEREAS, the two projects are located along the Mississippi River Greenway at Spring Lake Park Reserve and at Kaposia Landing in South Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have reviewed the Letters of Intent and have invited Dakota County to submit both applications by the October 8, 2025, deadline.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Division Director, or their designee, to submit two grant applications to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 3M PFAS Settlement Priority 2 Grant Program: one for Spring Lake Park Reserve Land Protection, Restoration, and River Access for $3.3M and one for Mississippi River Water Access Improvements in South Saint Paul for $270,000.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 2025 3M PFAS SETTLEMENT PRIORITY 2 GRANT PROGRAM REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Attachment: Letter of Intent Mississippi River Water Access Improvements in South St. Paul
Attachment: Letter of Intent Spring Lake Park Reserve Land Protection, Restoration, and River Access
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: Niki Geisler
Author: Niki Geisler