Watershed Project Funding

Funding opportunities for watershed projects around the state are available through federal and state funds. These funds are awarded through either competitive watershed grants (such as Federal Section 319 and State Clean Water Partnership) or non-competitive (for Clean Water Fund dollars) processes.

For information about other water-related funding opportunities at the MPCA, please visit Financial assistance grants and loans.

About the Funding System

The MPCA has access to state and federal funding sources to assist with a variety of watershed projects. Although the amount of available funds and the eligibility requirements may differ from fund to fund, there are some elements of the system that remain fairly universal.

• Roles and Responsibilities (wq-s1-14)

Funding Sources

• Overview of Watershed Project Funding in Minnesota (wq-s1-20)
  
• Section 319 Grants
  MPCA applies annually to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for Clean Water Act, Section 319(h) grant funds. A significant portion of the funds provided by U.S. EPA are then competitively awarded (passed through) to local government units (LGUs) and other groups for work on projects that address nonpoint-source water pollution. Fund availability varies each year.
  
• Clean Water Partnership
  The Minnesota State Legislature appropriates funds each biennium (two-year state funding cycle) to the MPCA for Clean Water Partnership projects. The funds are awarded (passed through) to local government units (LGUs) and other groups for work on projects that address non-point source water pollution. Fund availability varies each year.
  
• Clean Water Legacy
  The Clean Water Legacy Act (CWLA) was established by the Minnesota State Legislature in 2006. Funds are appropriated each biennium (two-year state funding cycle) to help protect, restore and preserve the quality of Minnesota’s surface waters. Fund availability varies each year. Appropriations through the Clean Water Legacy Act are used to fund a variety of projects.
  • Surface Water Assessment: CWLA
    Grants are available to groups interested in monitoring the water quality of lakes and/or streams and for groups interested in providing statewide water quality training opportunities.
  • TMDL Development: CWLA
    Funds are awarded to local government units (LGUs) or other groups for the purpose of developing TMDL reports that address water quality impairments.
  • TMDL Implementation: CWLA
    Grants are available to groups interested in implementing MPCA and US EPA-approved TMDL implementation plans. The competitive funding process is administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).
  • Wastewater and Stormwater: CWLA
    Grants are available to municipalities for assistance with wastewater and stormwater projects.
    
• Other MPCA Water-Related Financial Assistance

Related Links and Data Sources

• eLINK
  Minnesota’s local government offices use this Web-based, GIS-enabled software package to help them manage conservation projects and run their operations effectively. It provides local staff with an integrated administrative, operational, and decision-making system that supports their daily business activities. More information about eLink is available online at eLINK.
  
• STORET (STOrage and RETrieval)
  STORET is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA’s) repository for water quality, biological, and physical data. It is used by state environmental agencies, EPA and other federal agencies, universities, private citizens, and many others. More information about STORET in Minnesota is available on the STORET Web page.

Publications

• WaterFront Online Bulletin
  WaterFront is a Web-based bulletin featuring updates on impaired waters, watershed project funding and water restoration and protection activities underway throughout the state.

Contact Us

The following contacts can provide additional information about financial assistance opportunities.

• Statewide Watershed Program Administration, Juline Holleran, 651-757-2442, juline.holleran@pca.state.mn.us
• Section 319 and Clean Water Partnerships, Peter Fastner, 651-757-2349, peter.fastner@pca.state.mn.us
• Clean Water Legacy, Kimberly Nuckles, 651-757-2618, kimberly.nuckles@pca.state.mn.us