Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Cathy Rofshus, 507-206-2608 St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced today the availability of $2 million in grant money for lake and stream monitoring projects. Water monitoring is often the first step toward protecting or improving water resources. Eligible applicants may apply through a competitive application process. Grant proposals are due to the MPCA by 4 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2009. Eligible applicants include counties, soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, water management organizations, nonprofits, Minnesota colleges and universities, and American Indian tribes. No matching or in-kind funds are required under this program. The MPCA seeks applicants with experience in project administration, water quality monitoring and data management. The agency prefers projects that involve volunteers and that gather data for determining whether lakes and streams meet state water quality standards for aquatic life and/or aquatic recreation such as fishing. High-priority areas include the following watersheds:
-- Thief River
-- Big Fork
-- Sandhill River
-- Crow Ring River
-- Redeye River
-- Bois de Sioux River
-- Long Prairie River
-- Lake Superior (South)
-- Nemadji River
-- Mustinka River
-- Minnesota River in the Granite Falls area
-- Big Sioux River
-- Mississippi River in the Twin Cities and Winona areas
-- Cannon River
-- Rock River
-- Little Sioux River
For more information, potential applicants should contact Ron Schwartz of the MPCA at 651-757-2708 or CWLA.surfacewater@pca.state.mn.us. Details are also available at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/swagrant.html.