DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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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 applicat...
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