Clean Water Funds

On November 4, 2008, Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy

Amendment to the constitution to: protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

The Amendment increases the sales and use tax rate by three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales, starting July 1, 2009, continuing through 2034. Those dollars are dedicated to four funds: Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, Parks and Trails Fund, and Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Clean Water Fund was established to implement part of Article XI, Section 15, of the Minnesota Constitution, with the purpose of protecting, enhancing, and restoring water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams in addition to protecting groundwater and drinking water sources from degradation.

The primary purpose of activities funded with grants associated with the Clean Water Fund is the control or prevention of chemical or nutrient runoff, soil erosion, sedimentation, runoff volume or materials that affect human or aquatic system health. Eligible projects can consist of structural practices, technical assistance or non-structural measures and best management practices. Local government units (LGUs) are eligible to receive grant funds if they are working under a current state approved, locally adopted water management plan. All activities must be consistent with an approved TMDL implementation plan, or a current watershed management plan, county comprehensive local water management plan, metro groundwater plan, surface water intake plan or well head protection plan that has been state approved and locally adopted

02/14/12