THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO INSTALL A BEAUTIFUL, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PROJECT IN YOUR YARD AT A VERY LOW COST!!
NO SWEAT!!!! Our 2022 Runoff Buffer and/or Rain Garden Installation grant program is available to all residents within the Minnewashta watershed (see map below). Whether your land is lake side or a residential lot, all are welcome! Help us clean the stormwater flowing to the Lake Minnewashta watershed and street drains! The end result is a completed project on your property supervised and installed by others! Metro Blooms will project manage and supervise the installation on your property.
A qualified $3,000 to $4,000/200 – 500 square feet project could cost the resident only $300 to $500 (very rough estimate)
This is a time sensitive offer and limited to the first three applicants, however, there could be future opportunities with a revised grant program.
Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association (LMPA) in coordination with Carver County Soil & Water Conservation District (CSWCD) along with Metro Blooms and Conservation Corp Minnesota (CCM) will provide grants and technical assistance for residential rainwater runoff projects (for approved projects). Eligible area is the Lake Minnewashta Watershed area bounded by highway 7 on the north, highway 5 on the south, highway 41 on the east and Rolling Acres Road on the west, see map below.
The basic concept is to design and install a 200-500 square foot runoff project on your property. Runoff projects can consist of rain gardens and/or buffers that retain water from running into the storm sewer system or waterways, therefore, draining through soil and native vegetation filtration. Benefits are in preventing phosphorus, nitrogen, and chlorides from entering waterways, resulting in less algae development and better water quality for a natural habitat.
There are several grants possible associated to this program:
- LMPA will provide an upfront grant of $630 to cover the cost for Metro Blooms to provide consultation, design, estimate and assist in filling out the CSWCD application.
- CCM will provide a labor crew for installing qualified/approved projects including area preparation, removal of unneeded sod, etc. and installation of all new materials.
- Resident is also eligible for an additional reimbursement grant that would include the cost of materials and project management by Metro Booms. This grant is through CSWCD where they can provide grant money up to 75% of the cost with the remaining 25% by the resident. Requires CSWCD Board approval and resident agreeing to a 10 year maintenance agreement.
Interested parties should contact any of the following, with approval from LMPA, Metro Blooms will then assist with consultation, design and filling in the application.
Seth Ristow – sristow@co.carver.mn.us, Resource Conservation Technician, CSWCD
Jennifer Ehlert – jennifer@metroblooms.org, Metro Blooms
Kevin Zahler – kjzahler@hotmail.com, Master Water Steward, LMPA
