Natural Resources Block Grant
The Natural Resources Block Grant (NRBG) is a composite of grants available to Minnesota Counties to implement programs designed to protect and improve water resources. Individual programs under the NRBG currently include:
- Comprehensive Local Water Management (LWM)
- Wetland Conservation Act (WCA)
- Shoreland Management (Shoreland)
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) – Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) Program
To be eligible for the NRBG, a county must have a locally adopted and Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved comprehensive local water management plan. Grant recipients are required to follow the BWSR Grants Administration Manual which establishes the administrative and programmatic requirements for all grants administered through BWSR.
Comprehensive Local Water Plan
The Local Water Management Plan (LWM Plan) is based on citizen comments, a citizen survey, and the Priority Concerns Scoping Document which has been reviewed by citizens, local, state, and federal agencies. The initiatives based upon the stated goals and objectives are reported annually.
Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Program
The Wetland Conservation Act Program, outside the municipalities of Courtland & North Mankato, is administered by the Property Services Department.
Division of Natural Resources Shoreland Program
The Shoreland Program is administered through the Nicollet County Shoreland Ordinance (PDF) to provide for the orderly development and protection of Minnesota's shorelands (both rivers and lakes).
Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Program (SSTS)
Nicollet County administers the State Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Program (SSTS). Most Rural households do not have access to municipal sewage treatment systems to properly treat and dispose of waste water. We have a licensed soil scientist that serves as our SSTS Inspector; inspecting systems as they are being built and working with the installers.