BWSR officials hail ‘big day’ for Minnesota conservation

Calling it “a big day for conservation in Minnesota,” officials from the Board of Soil and Water Resources provided an update on the agreement signed Tuesday by Gov. Mark Dayton securing $350 million in federal funding to improve the state’s water quality.

Assistant Director Angie Becker-Kudelka told the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee Wednesday the money, which requires a $150 million state match, will be used in 54 counties for three purposes: creating buffers, restoring wetlands and wellhead protection.  

John Jaschke, right, executive director of the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and, Angie Becker-Kudelka, the board’s assistant director for strategy and operations, present an overview and wetland bank closure update Jan. 18. Photo by Andrew VonBank

Becker-Kudelka said the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognized the state was ready and willing to tackle these issues because it has already appropriated more than a third of the money it will contribute.

In a statement on the agreement, Dayton said Minnesota “will be better able to protect and improve our waters for our families, natural habitat, and our future. Clean water is everyone’s challenge, and everyone’s responsibility.” 

WATCH Full video of Wednesday's House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee hearing 

Becker-Kudelka said 60,000 acres in environmentally sensitive areas – mostly in southern and western Minnesota – are targeted for help with the money.

Becker-Kudelka and Executive Director John Jaschke also gave the committee an overview of the agency’s work.

With a staff of 110, BWSR works to protect the state’s soil and water resources by partnering with local governments to implement on-the-ground solutions for problems such as water pollution and soil loss. Although the board has a budget of $194 million for the current biennium, Jaschke said 90 percent of that money is passed through to local governments.

In its 30-year history, BWSR has helped install 15,000 conservation practices around Minnesota that now help keep 120,000 tons of sediment and 95,000 pounds of phosphorus out of the state’s waters each year.