Buffalo-Red River Watershed-based Implementation 2024

(a) $39,500,000 the first year and $39,500,000 the second year are for grants to implement state-approved watershed-based plans. The grants may be used to implement projects or programs that protect, enhance, and restore surface PreviouswaterNext quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking PreviouswaterNext sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan program and seven-county metropolitan groundwater or surface PreviouswaterNext management frameworks as provided for in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 103B, 103C, 103D, and 114D. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph. This appropriation may be used for: (1) implementing state-approved plans, including within the following watershed planning areas (see Chapter 40 Article 2 Section 6(a) (2) for the list of watershed planning areas: seven-county metropolitan groundwater or surface PreviouswaterNext management frameworks; and(3) other comprehensive watershed management plan planning areas that have a board-approved and local-government-adopted plan as authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.801. The board must establish eligibility criteria and determine whether a planning area is ready to proceed and has the nonstate match committed.