Item Description:
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Approve Agmt A2311971 and Agmt A2311972 with MN BWSR to accept natural resource grants, 11/02/23-12/31/25, total combined (recv) $283,516
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, the Agreement A2311971 with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, accepting a Soil and Water Conservation District Programs and Operations Grant for the delivery of conservation programs and for cost share projects with residents, during the period November 2, 2023 through December 31, 2025, with the receivable amount of $84,222, be approved; that the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept the funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Agreement A2311972 with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, accepting a Natural Resources Block Grant for water planning, septic treatment systems programming, and wetland conservation programs, during the period November 2, 2023 through December 31, 2025, with the receivable amount $199,294, be approved; that the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept the funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for these programs by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by the county for the programs when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) annually provides grants to counties and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to deliver soil and water conservation services to their communities. Grant funds support local government’s capacity to implement programs and provide cost-share with landowners who install conservation on their land to benefit water and soil resources. Hennepin County acts as the SWCD (Resolution 14-0212) and all duties and authorities of the Hennepin Conservation District were transferred to the county.
The SWCD Program and Operations Grant is comprised of two grants, the Conservation Delivery grant and the Conservation Contracts grant. The Conservation Delivery grant ($25,930 for each 2024 and 2025) is used to provide technical assistance to residents implementing conservation projects. The Conservation Contracts grant ($16,181 for each 2024 and 2025) provides funding to be passed through to residents for conservation projects.
Natural Resources Block grants are used to support local government water planning ($11,050 for each 2024 and 2025), programming related to subsurface sewage treatment systems ($21,200 for 2024), and staff required to fulfill SWCD duties to administer the Wetland Conservation Act ($77,997 for each 2024 and 2025).
In conducting community engagement to develop the county’s Climate Action Plan and the Natural Resources Strategic Plan, there is a strong desire to elevate the role that natural resources play in addressing climate change and partner to be more impactful. The county’s public entity partners are seeking greater collaboration in stormwater management and planning for a resilient environment and sustainable infrastructure. Our natural resources partners and county residents have expressed the most concern about:
• Climate change and its impacts on natural resources
• Impacts of water pollution (salt use, pesticides, microplastics, etc.)
• Loss/lack of habitat for wildlife (fish, songbirds, pollinators, deer, etc.)
• Pressure on natural resources from development
• Degraded water quality from stormwater runoff and excess nutrients
Residents have identified the most important value to guide natural resources protection is ensuring a healthy environment for future generations.
Current Request: This request is for approval of Agreement A2311971 SWCD Program and Operations Grant and Agreement A2311972 with BWSR for a Natural Resources Block Grant, during the period November 2, 2023 through December 31, 2025, with a total combined receivable amount $283,516. The Environment and Energy Department plans to use these funds to:
• Provide technical and financial assistance to residents of the county on reducing erosion and preventing pollution to surface water resources;
• Provide technical assistance and coordinate with other local governments on water planning;
• Administer the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) by participating in technical evaluation panels, investigating violations of WCA, and assisting with resolving WCA violations; and
• Support the Public Health Department’s Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Program.
Impact/Outcomes: Accepting these resources assists the county in supporting what residents and partners value and prioritize in natural resource protection. The WCA funding helps administer programs that are required by state law and protect wetlands, which are vital in improving water quality and providing wildlife habitat. The continued Conservation Delivery, Conservation Contracts, and Local Water Management funding helps coordinate water resource management with partners and promotes best management practices that maintain healthy ecosystems and improve water quality. The Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Program supports the county’s work to inspect and permit septic systems to protect human health as well as water resources.
In general, the work supported by all of these grants supports the county’s efforts to engage and involve residents and private property owners in managing stormwater and natural resources - a critical strategy identified in the county’s Climate Action Plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, storing carbon, and adapting to the effects climate change countywide, particularly in ways that minimize impacts to those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and reduce disparities in health outcomes.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval