Clean Water Legacy Funding
On November 4th 2008, Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the state constitution.
The Amendment increases the sales and use tax rate by three-eighths of one percent, starting July 1, 2009 and continuing through 2034.
Amendment dollars are dedicated to four funds:
- Outdoor Heritage Fund
- Parks and Trails Fund
- Cultural Heritage Fund
- Clean Water Fund
Local Soil and Water Conservation District offices may apply for money from the Clean Water Fund to fund local projects.
The Clean Water Fund was created to:
- Protect, Enhance, and Restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater
- Protect drinking water sources
The Clean Water Funds are distributed through the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). BWSR grants provide the funding to local units of government to deliver soil and water conservation services to their communities. Grant funds support and increase local capacity to implement programs and, provide cost-share with landowners who install conservation practices on their land to benefit state water and soil resources.
The Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) maintains the website Minnesota's Legacy, Watch the Progress, to help Minnesotans monitor how Amendment dollars are spent.
Legislative Coordination Commission (LCC) Home page: http://www.lcc.leg.mn/
Clean Water Funding in Stearns County
Where does the cleanwater funding go in Stearns County? The 2 pdf documents below list the funding recieved and where the funds have gone to date. Stearns County SWCD applied and recieved funding in 2010. So far these funds have been critical in completing 19 shoreland stabilization and bio-retention projects. 3 Animal Waste Storage projects have also recieved Clean Water Funding.
If you have an issue that is currently impacting the surface or groundwater in your area or have ideas for projects that would help protect, enhance, or restore our lakes, rivers, streams or groundwater please contact your local SWCD office.
For more information on the Clean Water Funding please contact:
