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SWCD reports: 150 active service requests, over $1.1M in awarded grants and $288K available
Summary
Troy of the Soil and Water Conservation District reported about 150 landowners are active in service requests, soil‑health practices cover over 1,000 acres in the WMO, and more than $1.1 million in grants are currently active with approximately $288,000 unencumbered.
Troy, representing the SWCD, gave a status update on ongoing programs and funding. He said the office is working with about 150 landowners at various stages (planning, cost‑share, construction, certification), and highlighted soil‑health priorities: cover crops, nutrient management and residue management, with more than 1,000 acres enrolled in the WMO.
On funding, Troy reported a total of "over $1,100,000 in awarded grants that are currently active," with roughly $817,000 encumbered and about $288,000 available for future work; some funds are multiyear and some will expire at year‑end. He described the equipment rental program and noted an increase in federal USDA funding for residue management. Troy also summarized monitoring activity (biweekly sampling at six sites feeding statewide programs, 19 groundwater observation wells monitored quarterly) and construction erosion control inspections averaging about 20 per month in recent months.
Committee members asked about feedlot counts and inspections; Troy said he did not have an exact count on hand but noted the number of operations has declined over decades and that MPCA staffing limitations reduce inspection capacity for smaller feedlot operations.
Troy invited committee members to a possible site visit for a StreamBank project anticipated to start construction in late August or September and reiterated opportunities for volunteers at outreach events.
