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Stearns County board approves $187,861 natural resources block grant; state requires more accountability
Summary
Environmental Services presented a two-year natural resources block grant from the Board of Water and Soil Resources that will fund water planning, Wetland Conservation Act work, shoreland programs and SSTS upgrades; staff said the 2026 grant of $187,861 is reduced from prior biennia and includes stricter state reporting and time-tracking requirements.
Shelly Benson, Environmental Services Director, and Becky Schlorf briefed the Stearns County Board on a two-year Natural Resources Block Grant from the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). The grant will support county programs including local water-management planning, Wetland Conservation Act implementation, shoreland work and the Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) program; the 2026 award also includes an SSTS upgrade grant element.
Benson told commissioners there is no local match required but that the award amount—identified in the meeting materials as $187,861—is a reduction from recent biennia and that the state is imposing additional accountability measures, including staff time tracking and documentation. Benson and Schlorf explained that the grant rarely covers the full administrative costs and that the county levy typically covers remainder of operational expenses.
Commissioners asked whether locally required planning is truly optional; Schlorf explained that while some programs are not statutorily mandated in name, accepting grant funds requires the county to carry out water-management planning and associated functions. After questions, the board moved and approved the grant agreement.
