Check back for updates. Municipal partners: Please reach out to Liz Forbes for next steps for projects in the pre-application stage.
The Watershed Stewardship Grant program offers financial support and resources for clean water projects to residents and organizations in the watershed district. Some examples include raingardens, native plant buffers, wetland restorations, rainwater reuse, erosion control, or tree trenches.
Request a site visit
The first step in the grant process is to submit a site visit request. We will re-open site visit requests in February 2023 and schedule visits once weather permits.
Schedule your visitSubmit a grant application
The 2022 season is CLOSED but you may preview the application to prepare for next year.
Preview the applicationSubmit a project report
Is your project complete? You'll need to submit a report to begin the project close-out review process.
Submit your reportAnnual reporting - long-term
Depending on the type of project/location, you are required to to maintain your project for 5 years or 10 years.
Complete annual reportWere you awarded professional maintenance support for the first 3 years after project installation?
Learn how to request a reimbursement.
All projects must occur within the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District. Check to see if your property is located in the District.
Applicants must be the property owner or authorized representative. Eligible applicant categories include:
The grant review committee evaluates applications for their level of benefit to water resources. The award percentage for eligible projects may range from 25% to 75%.
Before submitting a grant application, you must first request a site visit with a District representative. Site visits are scheduled on weekdays during business hours and subject to staff availability. The site visit allows evaluation and discussion with the property owner about the potential project idea.
After completion of the site visit , you may submit a grant application. The application is first reviewed by the grant program coordinator to determine if the application contains sufficient information. If the application is complete, it will be forwarded to the grant review committee, which meets about once a month to evaluate and make decisions on applications. Decisions may include a request for more information, adjustments to project design, denial of a grant award, or offer of a grant award.
Typical grant award offers range from 25% to 75% of project cost. Projects with a greater water quality benefit tend to score higher than those with a smaller water quality benefit. If a grant award is offered, the applicant must review and sign the grant agreement. Non-profits and businesses will also have to sign and file a maintenance declaration with their county recorder office. Once approved by the District Administrator (in some cases the Board of Managers must also approve), the project may begin.
The grantee pays for all project costs up front. Once the project is complete or near complete, the grantee will need to schedule a project inspection. The grantee must also submit a project report including receipts and photos. After inspection and report submisstion, the grant coordinator will submit paperwork for the grant reimbursement. The actual grant payment (in the form of a check) will mailed to the grantee following the next available Board of Managers meeting.
The image below provides an overview of the grant process. Open a PDF version of the image. The task timeline represent the general grant process including what actions are to be taken by the applicant/grantee (that's you!) and District staff.
The three parts to the process are:
After your project is complete, you are required to maintain it for 5 years if you are a homeowner and 10 years for other applicant categories.
Click/tap for larger view.
Photos: Provide two or more photos of project area as it looks now (before project installation).
If you've reached the maximum file upload in the application form, you can email additional files to the grant program coordinator at lforbes@rpbcwd.org.
When will I receive my grant reimbursement payment? That depends on when you submit your project report. If you submit all required information (including receipts) and there's enough time to perform a close-out site visit by the 15th of the month, then your reimbursement is likely to be mailed to you during the first full week of the following month. If your report and close-out site visit occur after the 15th of the month, then your reimbursement would likely be pushed back to the next District finance cycle (month after next).
Applications are typcally accepted on a rolling basis from April through October or until funds are committed. In 2022, we closed NEW applications on September 21 due to popularity of the program.
The District appreciates its partnership with Carver Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in their assistance with site visits and project inspections for this grant program.
Your city, county, lake owners association, or other local organization may also offer grant funds to help protect water quality and other natural resources.
Information
Help with Native Plant Selection
Native Plant Suppliers
Look up your address to find a map of your property and your Property Identification (PID) number.
Hennepin County online property map with natural resources info
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