More about the Clean Water Partnership Program

History

In 1986, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizens' Board passed a resolution urging the Minnesota Legislature to consider legislation authorizing the creation and funding of a program called the Clean Water Partnership Program (CWP program). In 1987, the Legislature did so (Minn. Stat. § 103F.701 to 103F.761). The program focus is control of nonpoint sources of pollution through watershed management to protect and improve surface and ground water in Minnesota. The CWP Program provides financial assistance through matching grants and loans and technical assistance to local units of government to lead pollution control projects. The CWP Rules define the criteria and procedural conditions under which the MPCA may award grants and loans to local governments.

From 1987 to 2009 the Legislature has provided the CWP Program with over $33 million for grants to local units of government. In addition, since 1995 the CWP program has awarded over $50 million in State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan money. During the 1999 legislative session, the Legislature significantly increased the annual appropriation to the CWP Program from slightly less than a million to approximately $2.4 million per year. The Legislature did specify however, that the new appropriation of money over the base amount was to be used for implementation projects and continuations.

Program Structure

CWP funding for local water quality projects is awarded in three phases. In the first, the resource investigation phase, the watershed and water body of concern are studied and any existing data is gathered and organized. The MPCA assists in setting up monitoring stations and collecting and analyzing the data. At the end of the three to four-year project a diagnostic study and implementation plan is completed. The plan identifies the combination of education, best management practices (BMPs) and other activities needed to protect or restore water quality.

The second phase, called project implementation involves putting in place the BMPs and other activities identified in the first phase. In addition, education, new land use ordinances, and a variety of other methods designed to reduce non-point pollution are implemented. A phase II project is also typically a three to four year project.

At the end of a successful phase II, the project sponsor may apply for a continuation. A continuation can be thought of as a ‘phase III’. Additional funding is provided to continue the activities identified in the phase II work plan or the implementation plan. Continuations are awarded, subject to the availability of funds, before the other applicants during that funding cycle, i.e. they are not ranked with the other projects but are awarded first.

Level of Funding: Grant and Loan

The CWP program typically has about $2.4 million in grant money to award annually. During the 2009 application cycle a total of $2,408,972 in grants money was awarded along with $1,562,000 in SRF loan funds. There was approximately $2.5 million in SRF loan funds available for the 2009 application round.

More Information on CWP

The fact sheet below has additional information about CWP and results of the program.

Overview of the Clean Water Partnership Program

For more information on the SRF loan program see the fact sheet below:

Clean Water Partnership Loans

MPCA Program Contacts

Pete Fastner
Regional Division
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-4194
651-757-2349
peter.fastner@pca.state.mn.us

Juline Holleran
Regional Division
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-4194
651-757-2442