This agreement provides support to the state of minnesota to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from…

EPA Region 5 awarded $4.652 million to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on October 1, 2025, under the Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants program (CFDA 66.460) to implement Minnesota's nonpoint source management program through structural and non-structural best management practices, watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and education and outreach targeting watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff.

The funding addresses Minnesota's restoration priorities, including reductions in phosphorus and nitrogen nutrients, total suspended solids, and E. coli bacteria. Nutrient runoff from Minnesota watersheds contributes to the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Total suspended solids degrade aquatic habitat in Minnesota rivers; E. coli poses health and safety risks for human consumption and recreation. The anticipated deliverable is pollutant reductions, with direct beneficiaries including all Minnesota residents and occupants.

The award period runs through September 30, 2030, with performance in Minnesota. MPCA passes funding to soil and water conservation districts implementing phase-two restoration of impaired waterbodies including Como Lake (70.5 acres in St. Paul, targeting 60 percent watershed phosphorus load reduction and 95 percent internal load reduction), Brown's Creek (addressing total suspended solids, phosphorus, and E. coli with an adjusted load reduction target of 848 pounds per year), Coon Creek (implementing 45 streambank stabilization projects totaling 20,750 linear feet to reduce suspended solids loading by 920 tons per year), Twelve Mile Creek, West Indian Creek, and Tamarack River, Horseshoe, Island, and Minnewawa Lakes sub-watersheds. Sub-recipients include Wright Soil & Water Conservation District, Faribault County Soil & Water, Wabasha Soil & Water Conservation District, and Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District.

This agreement provides support to the state of minnesota to implement its nonpoint source management program, focusing on watersheds with water quality impairments caused by polluted runoff from nonpoint sources. Nonpoint source implementation projects include a variety of structural and non-structural best management practices (BMPS), watershed planning, monitoring, technology demonstrations, and a variety of education/outreach programs. Activities:the proposed work in this agreement includes project that will address minnesota's priorities for restoration, including reductions in nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), total suspended solids (TSS), and E. Coli bacteria. Nutrient runoff not only negatively impacts minnesota's waters, but continues to impact downstream waters, culminating in contributing to the hypoxic zone in the gulf of mexico. TSS is a significant problem in many of minnesota's rivers leading to the degradation of aquatic habitat and decreased water quality. E. Coli has health and safety implications for human consumption and recreation. Subrecipient:the proposed work to be implemented through subawards: projects that will address minnesota's priorities for restoration, including reductions in nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), total suspended solids (TSS), and E. Coli bacteria. Nutrient runoff not only negatively impacts minnesota's waters, but continues to impact downstream waters, culminating in contributing to the hypoxic zone in the gulf of mexico. TSS is a significant problem in many of minnesota's rivers leading to the degradation of aquatic habitat and decreased water quality. E. Coli has health and safety implications for human consumption and recreation.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include: pollutant reductions. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.