Black Dog Watershed Well Seal Grants
Prevention of groundwater contamination from unused, unsealed wells is identified as a priority in the 2020-2030 Dakota County Groundwater Plan. Dakota County plans to prevent groundwater contamination, especially in drinking water supply management areas, by completing a well inventory in the Black Dog Watershed area to identify suspected abandoned wells, and provide 50% cost-share grants to seal approximately 13 unused, unsealed wells in the watershed.
Prevention of groundwater contamination from unused, unsealed wells is identified as a priority in the 2020-2030 Dakota County Groundwater Plan. Dakota County plans to prevent groundwater contamination, especially in drinking water supply management areas, by completing a well inventory in the Black Dog Watershed area to identify suspected abandoned wells, and provide 50% cost-share grants to seal approximately 13 unused, unsealed wells in the watershed.
Annie Felix-Gerth
(a) $13,591,000 the first year and $13,375,000 the second year are for performance-based grants with multiyear implementation plans to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan or metropolitan surface water management frameworks or groundwater plans. Grant recipients must identify a nonstate match and may use other legacy funds to supplement projects funded under this paragraph. & (a) $21,197,000 the first year and $22,367,000 the second year are for performance-based grants with multiyear implementation plans to local government units. The grants may be used to implement projects that protect, enhance, and restore surface water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams; protect groundwater from degradation; and protect drinking water sources. Projects must be identified in a comprehensive watershed plan developed under the One Watershed, One Plan and seven-county metropolitan groundwater or surface water 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: reference The Laws of Minnesota, 2021, 1st Special Session, Chapter 1, Article 2, Sec. 6(a)
Complete inventory to identify likely abandoned wells within the Black Dog Watershed.
Seal an additional 13 unused, unsealed wells within grant period.
Measurable outcomes were met for this grant. 13 wells were sealed, 3 of which were in the Burnsville DWSMA. An additional well was unable to be sealed due to technical complications, for which a variance was issued by MDH. A well inventory was conducted and resulted in identification of ~600 unused, unsealed wells within the BDWMO and letters have been mailed to ~130 landowners so far.
LOCAL LEVERAGED FUNDS