2021 - SWCD Local Capacity Services (Meeker SWCD)
Annie Felix-Gerth
(n) $12,000,000 the first year and $12,000,000 the second year are for payments to soil and water conservation districts for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, sections 103C.321 and 103C.331. From this appropriation, each soil and water conservation district shall receive an increase in its base funding of $100,000 per year. Money remaining after the base increase is available for grants to soil and water conservation districts as determined by the board based on county allocations to soil and water conservation districts and amount of private land and public waters. The board and other agencies may reduce the amount of grants to a county by an amount equal to any reduction in the county's allocation to a soil and water conservation district from the county's previous year allocation when the board determines that the reduction was disproportionate. The board may use up to one percent for the administration of payments.
The grant targets four resource concern areas - Soil Erosion, Riparian Zone Management, Water Storage and Treatment, and Excess Nutrients - and supports increased capacity by funding expenses in the following categories: Staffing, Cost Share/Incentives, Technology/Capital Equipment, and Operations.
There were no comparable measurable outcomes to be assessed for the local capacity grants. However, the Meeker SWCD did fund staff time and the implementation of conservation practices that would appear to meet the program intentions.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS