The Erosion Control and Water Management Program, commonly known as the State Cost-Share Program, was created to provide funds to Soil and Water Conservation Districts to share the cost of systems or practices for erosion control, sedimentation control, or water quality improvements that are designed to protect and improve soil and water resources.  Through the State Cost-Share Program, land occupiers can request financial and technical assistance from their local District for the implementation of conservation practices.  Pennington SWCD priority resource concerns include surface water quality, drinking water quality and flood damage reduction.

The Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) is a composite of base grants available to local government units that help them implement programs designed to protect and improve water resources. Individual programs under this grant include:

• Comprehensive Local Water Management
• Wetland Conservation Act
• DNR Shoreland Management Program
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Feedlot Permit Program
• MPCA Individual Sewage Treatment Systems Program

The most recent reports are available below:

- protect drinking water sources;

- protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat;

- preserve arts and cultural heritage;

- support parks and trails;

- and protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

The Amendment increases the sales and use tax rate by three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales, starting July 1, 2009, continuing through 2034. Those dollars are dedicated to four funds: Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, Parks and Trails Fund, and Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

BWSR has received appropriations from the Outdoor Heritage Fund and the Clean Water Fund. Specifics about projects funded through BWSR are available at our Clean Water Stories page.  

Clean Water Fund 2010 Projects

Conservation Delivery Grants provide the Pennington Soil and Water Conservation District with funds for general administration and operation.  This provides a certain degree of funding stability.  The following report details how these funds are spent and matched from the Pennington County and here are some examples:

• Personnel expenses
• Rent of office space
• Vehicle expenses
• Postage and supplies
• Supervisor's compensation

The Easement Services Grant is considered as support to assist SWCDs with implementation costs associated with the Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Program.  Administration and other related expenses include:

• Training sessions
• Promotion
• Screening Committee Meetings
• Application and easement processing
• On-site investigation and spot-checks
• Annual reporting