Grants
Base Funding Grant
Crow Wing County receives Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) from the State of Minnesota on an annual basis to help offset the costs to administer the Wetland Conservation Act, DNR Shoreland rules, MPCA septic rules, and local water management planning. The current NRBG allotments are listed.
2022
- Administering the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) = $38,088 ($5,713 to Crow Wing SWCD)
- Local Water Management (Water Planning) = $8,094
- DNR Shoreland Rules Implementation = $19,128
- Subsurface Septic Treatment Systems (SSTS) Program = $18,600
- 2022 WCA Areas
Grants Available to Landowners
Septic System Improvement
Crow Wing County has been awarded $60,897 in grant funding from Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to provide funds to replace or protect septic systems for residents. Proper septic maintenance ensures that we are protecting our groundwater from human contaminants. If you are interested in learning more about this program please review this informational sheet or contact Region Five Development Commission – Stephanie Barney at (218) 296-5201.
There is a $50 application fee and applications are available here Version OptionsGrantsHeadline.
Well Sealing
Crow Wing County Land Services received a BWSR Clean Water Fund grant for $30,000for a cost-share program for sealing abandoned / unused wells.
For the first time, Crow Wing County is using a ranking criteria to seal unused / abandon wells in the following manor:
- - 90% cost sharing will be allowed for sealed wells located within the Pine River Watershed in surficial sand aquifers (both Cass and Crow Wing Counties)
- - 75% cost sharing for wells located within surficial sand aquifers outside the Pine River Watershed (Crow Wing County only)
- - 50% cost sharing for all other wells in Crow Wing County or within the Pine River Watershed (both Cass and Crow Wing County)
The County will provide up to a maximum of $1,000 in cost-share funds per well.
Cost Share App
Because of the new ranking system for cost sharing, well drilling companies will need to check the County’s new Well Cost Share App to determine how much funding (90%, 75%, or 50%) the sealed well project is eligible for. You can search by address or one of the other search methods identified below:
- Parcel Identification (PIN)
- Crow Wing County has an 8 digit PIN (Example: 71290508)
- Cass County has an 9 digit PIN with dashes (Example: 34-451-0100)
- Last, First name
Application for Grant Reimbursement
A signed contract must be received and on file with Land Services before grant funds will be awarded to a contractor.
A complete grant reimbursement request includes:
- Application
- Invoice billed to Crow Wing County showing full project amount minus landowner portion
- Well and boring sealing record
Each well requires it’s own request. We will accept applications for well’s sealed as of April 1st, 2022.
FAQ Sheet
Why is sealing wells so important? A well that is not in use or abandoned can be a source of groundwater contamination by providing a potential direct path for surface water runoff, contaminated water, or improperly disposed of waste to reach an uncontaminated groundwater source. Unused larger-diameter wells can also be a safety hazard for children and animals.