1 Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) A Program that works to: – Streamline assistance and $$ to landowners – Coordinate activities of federal and state agencies and local governments – Measure environmental benefits of our efforts

2 NRBG – Bringing things together Local Water Planning Wetland Conservation Act Feedlot Program Shoreland Management Program On-site Sewage Treatment Program

3 Local Water Planning Bringing it together at the local level

4 Purpose of Local Water Planning To develop and carry out water management plans at the county and watershed levels that protect and enhance surface water, groundwater and related land resources given local conditions, priorities and available resources.

5 Key concepts of local water planning make local water management a high priority build local expertise and mgt. capacity identify future problems and prevent them take a comprehensive approach lead responsibility at the local level foster state and local partnerships

6 Why local water planning works The state invests in it. The state benefits from it. Local government invests in it. Local managers, citizens and state agency representatives participate in it. Local government commits to water resource management.

7 Local Task Forces direct the plan Local Representatives county cities and townships swcds planning & zoning special purpose districts citizens interest groups others State Representatives BWSR DNR Fisheries Waters Wildlife PCA MDH MDA

8 Water management tools Education and Information Monitoring Inventory and mapping Land and water treatment Planning and environmental controls

9 Land & Water Treatment Project Examples Storm water retention Erosion and sediment control Water quality improvement Unused well sealing Shoreline protection Riparian buffers and livestock exclusion Conservation credit initiative Lake restoration Conservation easements

10 Outcomes Local government accomplishments reported via the Local Government Annual Reporting System (LARS) December 2000

11 Goals Outcomes Benefits Milestones Measurable Accountable Outcome Measurement Indicators Accomplishment reporting Environmental Outcomes

12 LARS Pollutant Reduction Calculations Soil Loss Reduction (“Soil Saved”) Sediment Reduction Phosphorus Reduction MN BWSR Dec 2000

13 Land & Water Treatment Practices MN BWSR Dec 2000

December 2000

Land & Water Treatment Summary 5986 Projects Total Cost $26.1 M State $10.7 M Occupier $8.3 M LGU $4.2M Federal $2.6 M Other $0.3 M (millions) projects with pollutant reduction calculations: soil loss reduction: 777,000 tons/year sediment reduction: 166,000 tons/year phosphorus reduction: 438,000 Lbs/year average cost per lb P reduction: $43 MN BWSR Dec 2000

22 Easements

December 2000

MN BWSR Dec 2000

25 Conclusion In Minnesota we believe that a program that combines the elements of: – Consolidated granting – Local planning and implementation – Measured environmental outcomes Can be used as a framework for granting money to state’s to fund a private lands conservation initiative