The Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Fund (AgBMP) Program provides low interest financing for individuals to install conservation practices or purchase conservation equipment.

An annual allocation from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is available to farm operators and agricultural landowners for implementing water quality improvement projects. The AgBMP Loan Program is a 3% low interest loan option to rural landowners within Dakota County for conservation practices. AgBMP funds can be allocated for installing feedlot and manure storage systems, replacing or upgrading individual sewage treatment systems (ISTS), sealing abandoned wells, purchasing conservation tillage equipment designed to allow for higher levels of crop residue, or installing terraces, diversions, sediment and water control basins.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• Have a water quality improvement project
• Receive financial approval from a participating local lender
• Agricultural waste storage and handling equipment projects must operate within the guidelines of an Animal Confinement and/or Manure Storage Facility (Feedlot) Permit
• Conservation tillage equipment projects must develop and implement a conservation management plan with the Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Individual sewage treatment systems are required to be constructed as per MN Statute 7080

AgBMP low interest loans may also be used in conjunction with State Cost Share or Federal Environment Quality Incentives Program dollars.

For assistance please contact Todd Matzke at 651-480-7780 / Email Todd

The Citizen Conservation Stewardship (CCS) program supports smaller conservation practices on individual properties by providing technical and cost share assistance.

Up to $5,000 of cost share funding may be available to Dakota County property owners for qualifying (non-agricultural) water quality projects that preserve or restore natural resources. Depending on project ranking and the availability of funding, cost share amounts up to $5,000 may be approved to reimburse the applicant for up to 85% of the actual project cost.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:

• New or Redevelopment with Low Impact Development Practices
• Stormwater Retrofit with Best Management Practices
• Erosion and Slope Stabilization
• Gully, Wetland, Lake or Stream Restorations
• Bioretention Practices
• Shoreline Stabilizations

PROJECTS WILL BE COMPETITIVELY RANKED BASED ON:

• Water Quality Improvement
• Benefits to Wetlands, Lakes and Streams
• Soil Erosion Control – Wildlife Habitat Improvement
• Public Benefit / Public Outreach
• Innovative Applications
• Collaboration with Other Landowners or Organizations

Applications are accepted year-round.

The Community Conservation Partnership (CCP) supports public landowners to implement TMDL and local water management plans by providing technical assistance.

Up to $50,000 of cost share funding may be available to install bioretention and other stormwater Best Management Practices at public facilities in Dakota County to improve water quality above the minimum measures required by the regulating agencies. Depending on project ranking and the availability of funding, cost share amounts up to $50,000 may be approved to reimburse the applicant for up to 85% of the actual cost. The applicant’s contribution can be based on in-kind value.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:

• Bioretention
• Infiltration – Filtration
• Soil Amendments
• Rooftop Disconnect
• Reduced Impervious Surface Areas
• Porous Pavements
• Thermal Impact Prevention and Mitigation Practices
• Snowmelt Treatment
• Stormwater Recycling
• Best Management Practices

PROJECTS WILL BE COMPETITIVELY RANKED BASED ON:

• Subwatershed Pollutant Load Modeling to Quantify Water Quality Benefit
• Priority Sites Having Direct Discharge Without Treatment
• Values Comparison
• Most Benefit for the Least Cost
• Priority Locations in Critical Watershed Areas
• Installation Timing
• Identified Project in a TMDL or Local Water Plan

Applications must be submitted by March 15th, May 15th, or July 15th of each year.

The Conservation Initiative Funding (CIF) program supports larger conservation practices on commercial or multiple properties by providing technical and cost share assistance.

Up to $25,000 of cost share funding may be available to install conservation practices that reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality above the minimum measures required by the regulating agencies. Depending on project ranking and the availability of funding, cost share amounts up to $25,000 may be approved to reimburse the applicant up to 85% of the actual project cost.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:

• New or Redevelopment with Low Impact Development Practices
• Stormwater Retrofit with Best Management Practices
• Erosion and Slope Stabilization
• Gully, Wetland, Lake or Stream Restorations
• Bioretention Practices
• Shoreline Stabilizations

PROJECTS WILL BE COMPETITIVELY RANKED BASED ON:

• Water Quality Benefit / Water Quality Improvement
• Benefits to Wetlands, Lakes and Streams
• Soil Erosion Control
• Wildlife Habitat Improvement
• Public Benefit / Public Outreach
• Innovative Applications
• Collaboration with Other Landowners or Organizations

Applications can be submitted year-round.

The Incentive Payment Practices (IPP) program provides funding for the voluntary establishment of conservation projects.

All projects must demonstrate a water quality improvement and comply with local, state, and federal regulations. SWCD staff will work with applicants on project planning and design, and to submit a final project application. Applications are prioritized for funding based on their potential to provide water quality benefits. The number of applications approved may be limited by the amount of funding and staff time available.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:

• Grassed Waterways
• Water and Sediment Control Basins
• Critical Area Seeding
• Diversions
• Streambank Stabilization
• Filter Strips
• Harvestable Filter Strips
• No-Till / Strip-Till
• Cover Crops
• Harvestable Covers
• Native Prairie Resorations

PROJECTS FUNDING EXAMPLES INCLUDE:

• Up to 85% cost share funding for installation of conservation projects.
• Up to $300 per acre, per year for up to 15 years, for filter strips.
• Up to $150 per acre, per year for up to 15 years, for harvestable filter strips
• $35 per acre (single year contract) or $45 per acre per year (multi-year contract) for cover crops
• $25 per acre (single year contract) or $35 per acre per year (multi-year contract) for harvestable covers
• $15 per acre (single year contract) or $20 per acre per year (multi-year contract) no-till/strip-till
• Up to $4,000 per acre for native prairie restorations that include grasses and pollinator-friendly forbs

Applications will be ranked and scored periodically throughout the year. Cover crop, harvestable cover and native prairie restoration applications are accepted year-round.

The Landscaping for Clean Water (LCW) grant program assists residents in planning and installing native gardens, raingardens and native shoreline plantings.

Dakota County residents who complete the Introduction to Clean Water class and the Design Course can apply for a $250 grant towards the installation of their garden project (paid upon completion). The grant award includes on-site visits and technical assistance. This program can be used to fund smaller school and church gardens, as well as single and multi-residential properties.

The LCW program is funded in partnership with the following Dakota County watershed organizations:

• Black Dog Watershed Management Organization
• Eagan-Inver Grove Heights Watershed Management Organization
• Lower Minnesota River Watershed District
• Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization
• North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization
• Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board

For more information visit our LCW page.