2018 - SWCD Local Capacity Services (Pope SWCD)
The SWCD Local Capacity Services grant program provides funds to Soil and Water Conservation Districts that focuses on increasing capacity to address four resource concern areas - Soil Erosion, Riparian Zone Management, Water Storage and Treatment, and Excess Nutrients.
Marcey Westrick
[SWCD Local Capacity Services 2018] $11,000,000 the first year and $11,000,000 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 matching grants to soil and water conservation districts based on county allocations to soil and water conservation districts. 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 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.
Funds spent on technician and the SWCD Manager salaries to increase the capacity of the SWCD with the appropriate technical certifications to work with landowners to implement conservation practices on riparian areas within Pope County, and increase capacity sto assist producers with the installation, planning of conservation practices for erosion and sediment control as described in the Pope County Comprehensive Water Management Plan. Funds were also used for completing the prioritize target application tool (PTMapp) which will include hydro condition, run PTMApp and prepare a report.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS