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Scott WMO reports grant closeout, says education and cost-share work exceeded pollution-reduction goals
Summary
Staff reported the closeout of a watershed-based implementation grant extended to 2025, saying 44 projects were implemented and that calculated annual sediment and phosphorus reductions exceeded goals; the grant totaled $325,500 with local contributions raising the total to about $389,543.20.
Scott County staff told the Watershed Planning Commission Feb. 23 that a watershed-based implementation grant (2021 cycle) closed Dec. 31, 2025, and met or exceeded its core goals for education and on-the-ground projects.
Ryan, the staff grant manager, told commissioners the two primary components of the grant were (1) development and updating of youth outdoor-education curriculum and assessment materials, and (2) additional funds for the local cost-share program that subsidizes landowner conservation projects. He said 44 cost-share projects were implemented under the grant period.
Staff reported the grant provided $325,500 from the Board of Water and Soil Resources (Clean Water Funds). The required match was 10 percent, but local partners and in-kind contributions totaled about $64,043.20, bringing the combined grant and match to roughly $389,543.20. Ryan said about $40,000 of the grant was devoted to education materials and approximately $36,000 to technical assistance and staff time.
On outcomes, staff said the program exceeded its modeled annual reductions: sediment savings were reported as close to 1,800 (per year) and phosphorus savings close to 1,600 (per year), both above the grant goals set before implementation. Staff noted many projects have multi-year life spans (some measured on 10-year benefit horizons), so cumulative savings over project lifetimes are substantially larger.
Commissioners and staff also discussed the distinction between updating curriculum (which grant funds supported) and paying for event logistics such as busing; staff said the grant did not fund event transportation and that schools and partners continue to provide that support. Troy and other staff clarified participant-count reporting and how conservation-in-classroom efforts extend reach beyond the on-site outdoor-education days.
Staff emphasized the administrative work required to close grants and file timely reports, noting February is peak grant-reporting season and that accurate accounting and documentation take substantial staff time.
