DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Submit Clean Water Fund Grant Application For Spring Lake Park Reserve Ravine Stabilization Project
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize submission of a Clean Water Fund grant application to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) for stabilization of an actively eroding ravine within Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR).
SUMMARY
Spring Lake is a portion of Pool 2 of the Mississippi River located three miles upstream of U.S. Lock and Dam No. 2 in Hastings. A ravine within SLPR is actively eroding, which has resulted in damage to the natural resource features within SLPR and the Mississippi River.
The Clean Water Fund is a state grant program administered by BWSR and is made available to local government units annually via a competitive grant application process. Staff developed preliminary project plans and estimated the water quality benefits of the proposed projects and cost estimates for a potential Clean Water Fund grant application to BWSR. The proposed improvements to alleviate ravine erosion include tree removals, garbage removal, earthwork, riprap, storm sewer, and vegetation restoration.
Staff has drafted a Clean Water Fund application to BWSR in the amount of $650,000.00 to implement the ravine stabilization improvements. The Clean Water Fund’s grant program requires a minimum 10 percent cash match of the grant amount, which is $65,000, if the entire grant request is awarded. However, the County will provide a 17 percent match or $110,000 to cover preliminary and final design, garbage clean-up, and project management. It is anticipated that the grants awards will be announced during the summer of 2026, but acceptance will only occur at the time the match amount is approved in the 2027 budget process.
The proposed project is estimated to reduce total phosphorus by 211 pounds and total suspended solids by 248 tons of sediment to the Mississippi River annually. Grantees are required to implement their projects within a three-year window.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board authorize staff to submit a grant application to BWSR for the SLPR Ravine Stabilization Improvements.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The grant application includes $110,000 in proposed grant matching funds, which will be requested as part of the 2027 Environmental Resources Capital Improvement Program, within the water quality and quantity projects line item, derived from the Environmental Legacy Fund. If Dakota County is awarded the grant, staff will request that the County Board include this grant in or amend the 2027 Environmental Resources Capital Improvement Program by the amount of the award to reflect the revenues and expenses associated with the grant.
Grant match
|
Funding Source |
Total Proposed Budget |
Available Budget |
|
Proposed 2027 Environmental Resources Capital Improvement Program |
$1,450,000 |
$1,450,000 |
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☒ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Spring Lake is a portion of Pool 2 of the Mississippi River located three miles upstream of U.S. Lock and Dam No. 2 at Hastings; and
WHEREAS, a within Dakota County’s Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR) is actively eroding, which has resulted in sedimentation damages to the natural resource features within SLPR and the Mississippi River; and
WHEREAS, the Clean Water Fund is a state grant program administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and is made available to local government units annually via a competitive grant application process; and
WHEREAS, staff developed preliminary project plans and estimated water quality benefits of the proposed projects, and cost estimates for a potential Clean Water Fund grant application to BWSR; and
WHEREAS, the proposed improvements to alleviate erosion include tree removals, garbage removal, earthwork, riprap, storm sewer, and vegetation restoration; and
WHEREAS, staff has drafted a Clean Water Fund application to BWSR in the amount of $650,000 for the purpose of implementing the SLPR ravine stabilization improvements; and
WHEREAS, the grant program requires a match by Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, the grant application includes $110,000 in proposed grant matching funds; and
WHEREAS, $110,000, in match, will be requested in the proposed 2027 Environmental Resources Capital Improvement Program within the water quality and quantity projects line item to cover preliminary and final design, garbage clean-up, and project management; and
WHEREAS, the match source will be derived from the Environmental Legacy Fund; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project is estimated to reduce total phosphorus by 211 pounds and total suspended solids by 248 tons of sediment to the Mississippi River, annually.
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 Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources for the SLPR Ravine Stabilization Project in the amount of $650,000.00.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-393; 08/18/20
21-146; 03/23/21
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 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: Niki Geisler
Author: Tom Lewanski