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Chloride Reduction Grant


Program has expired.

Deadline to apply was October 31, 2022. Projects had to be completed by November 30, 2022.


Program Summary

Financial assistance, resources and tools to help you take action for healthy water resources in your neighborhood, city, watershed, and beyond. 

The Chloride Reduction Grant program offers financial support and resources for businesses and local government units for tools and practices which reduce, directly or indirectly, chloride usage by that organization. Some examples include pavement temperature sensors which would allow for more effective chloride application or outfitting currently owned trucks with new segmented plow blades in order to reduce chemical removal of snow and ice. 

How much are the grants?

These are cost-share grants. That means that the watershed district covers part of the project cost, and the award recipient covers part. The grant amount is up to $20,000 max, and up to 75% of the project cost.

Who can apply?

Entities applying for Chloride Reduction Grant must be currently Smart Salting certified through Fortin and the MPCA. Certification must be earned or proven before funds are released. Entities must operate within Bloomington, Chanhassen, Chaska, Edina, Eden Prairie, Deephaven, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Shorewood and Richfield. 

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Businesses

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Non-Profits

government


Local government

Winter cleaning
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Applications are closed

Join a community of stewards who are changing norms and building the future of clean water. Financial assistance, resources and tools to help you take action for healthy water resources in your neighborhood, city, watershed, and beyond.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application process

To apply, fill out or provide:

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Grant application form

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Location map

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Contractor bids (if applicable)

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Cost estimate

If your project is approved

  1. We will send you a contract. Once this is signed, you can get started!
  2. Keep track of your expenses including all receipts
  3. Issues come up. If you think you need to make a change to your plan, contact us for approval
  4. Take photos! Before, during, and after. You’ll need these for submitting your project report
  5. You’ve got one year from approval to finish

After you’ve completed your project

  1. Send in copies of all your receipts, including from any contractors you worked with (electronic copies or scans are acceptable).
  2. Submit report of the work that was accomplished and include photos in the report
  3. Financials are processed once a month at the watershed. Once your reimbursement request is submitted, it may take one to two months for you to receive your check. 

Long-term

  1. Take care of your project 
  2. We will ask you for a brief report at 1, 3 and 5 years (9- year report will be required for grants above $10,000).
  3. Stay in contact! The watershed district often offers continuing education on topics like maintenance and other opportunities to learn and get involved

*Applicants are required to maintain their projects for the 10 years as specified in the “Maintenance” section of your grant agreement. 

Program outcomes:

The Chloride Reduction Grant program funds practices that:

  • have quantifiable benefits to water quality
  • support the mission of the Lower Minnesota Collaborative

Projects are also evaluated on whether they:

  • are examples that the district can share with others
  • increase awareness of water resource issues
  • increase visibility and general knowledge of winter best practices 

Projects must demonstrate an improvement over existing conditions for water quality. 

FAQs

Applications accepted until October 31, 2022. Projects must be completed by November 30, 2022. Reimbursement requests for grant funds must be submitted by December 20, 2022.

The Chloride Reduction Grant funds physical water resource improvement and protection practices (best management practices, abbreviated as BMP) that have quantifiable benefits to water quality via chloride reduction. Examples of projects include:

  • Equipment retrofits and upgrades: Segmented and/or carbide edge plow blades (such as Joma, Polarflex, Live Edge Metal Pless) , MDSS software, pavement temperature sensors
  • Anti-icing equipment: Brine makers, brine tanks

Applications are reviewed by the members of the Lower Minnesota Collaborative. Projects are evaluated for how well they address the program outcomes below. Highly technical or complicated projects may be referred to the Collaborative chloride technical panel for review and recommendation.

The applicant will submit a project summary report to RPBCWD within 30 days of completing the project. Update reports will be submitted at 1, 3 and 5 years. Additional reporting will be required after year 9 for projects receiving more than $10,000.

Project installation must be completed within one year of the agreement being signed. If unforeseen circumstances delay a project, the participant can request an extension in writing.

Reimbursement is made after completion of the project. The participant must document completion. Applicants must provide copies of paid invoices and receipts for all costs and reasonable documentation of labor hours contributed. Claimed expenses will be verified by RPBCWD as reasonable.

Important Details

These pieces are less exciting than everything above, but they are important to understand. Please read through carefully. Make note of anything you have questions about and contact us.



Reimbursable costs

Key points: Don’t spend money until your project is approved. Things that are pretty, but not functional, are not covered. You can count the work you do. Maintenance isn’t covered.


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Funding agreement

Key points: You need to sign a grant agreement and stick to it.


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Maintenance requirements

Key points: You need to take care of your project. If you don’t, we can ask for the grant money back.


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Submitted information

Key points: Your application is public data.


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Conformance to plans

Key points: You need to install what you agreed to install in order to be reimbursed.


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Partners

Clean water land and legacy
Richfield Bloomington WMO
LMRWD
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