Winona SWCD Regular State

Cost-Share Policy :

• Application must be made and approved by the SWCD Board prior to the start of any cost-share project.
• The Winona County SWCD will provide up to 75% Cost-Share to landowners for approved State practices, not to exceed $4,500.  This will be allocated on a first comes first served and priority basis (Adopted March 10, 2010).
• Well sealing cost-share will be at up to 50% not to exceed $1,000 per well.
• Native Buffer cost-share will be at up to 75% not to exceed $300 per acre.
• Most cost-share contracts are 10 year contracts, native buffer contracts are for 15 years.
• Funding can vary from year to year so not all practices may be eligible every year.
• Other rules are also in effect for each of these cost-share programs.  Please contact the SWCD for more information.

Typical Cost Share Practices:

• Grade Stabilization Structures (ponds).
• Water and Sediment Control Structures (ponds).
• Grassed Waterways.
• Diversions.
• Native Buffers (Prairie Plantings).
• Streambank Stabilization.
• Well Sealing.
• Feedlot Fixes: storage systems, picket fences, filterstrips, milkhouse waste management...

State Cost Share

The State Cost Share program is administered locally by the Winona County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).  This program assists landowners financially and technically in the installation of conservation practices that reduce erosion, control sedimentation or improve and protect water quality to ensure the sustainable use of Minnesota’s natural resources.  These objectives of the  approved practices may include, but are not limited to, activities that:

• control nutrient run-off
• stabilize critical erosive areas
• divert runoff to protect and improve water quality
• reduce wind erosion
• control gully, rill or sheet erosion
• protect shore land from erosion
• control storm water runoff
• Protect or improve surface and groundwater quality

Technically, The SWCD will provide landowners with:

• Site investigations
• Determine the best type of practice
• Survey and design of practice
• Provide landowners with a design plan
• Produce a cost estimate
• Perform a pre-construction conference
• Supervise construction
• Certify the practice 

Cost share applications are taken year around, approval of practices are determined by the Winona County SWCD Board of Supervisors and available dollars. 

Feedlot Dollars

The Minnesota legislature authorized cost share dollars to be available to feedlot owners for installation of practices that specifically target feedlot runoff.  Requests for funding are taken year around and submitted to the state in April.  Applications are then prioritized based upon several factors:

• closeness to water sources
• high fleval rating
• if a lot had been cited by MPCA
• willingness to build in application year
• cost of project

Generally, there are more applications made than there is money available however, if you have a site that you would like to improve, contact the SWCD for more information.