Project Goals:
The goals of this project is to meet the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) 2005/2010 Open Lot Agreement requirements. Projects must meet the following standards:

Option 1 - Clean water diversions or gutters and a minimum of 100 foot vegetated buffer area.

Option 2 - Combination of measures that cut the Feedlot Runoff Rating in half, or meet MPCA's 2010 requirements for feedlot runoff.

Cost-Share is available for up to $5,000 at 75%, not to exceed out-of-pocket expenses. Projects over the $5,000 maximum will be subject to approval by the Benton SWCD Board of Supervisors on a case by case basis.
Landowners will not be directly reimbursed for their labor. Landowner labor can be used as part of the required 25% match. If the landowner does not supply the labor match, then a 25% cash match is required.

Incentive Payments are available through the Clean Water Legacy Grant. A $150 incentive payment is available for doing the initial Feedlot Evaluation. A $150 incentive payment is also available for the initial feedlot runoff control practice that is installed.

The Feedlot Evaluation Model (FLEval) or approved equivalent, will be done to determine eligibility for surface water impacts. A feedlot that rates a zero (0) as currently operated will not be eligible for any cost-share. A zero (0) meets the current MPCA 7020 Feedlot Rules for runoff from animal feedlots.

Groundwater pollution potential will be determined by a professional engineer or approved MPCA staff.

FLEval will be used to determine feasibility of possible fixes.
Clean Water Legacy (CWL) Grant

The Benton SWCD received a Clean Water Legacy (CWL) Grant in 2007 for $195,000. The grant was used to hire a new District Technician, Mike McMillin, who is providing technical and engineering assistance to farmers in Benton County. Funding was provided by the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).

Cost-share is available for installing low-cost feedlot and manure management systems.

The goal of this project is to provide farmers in Benton County the opportunity to manage feedlots and manure in an environmentally responsible manner that is consistent with state rules. Benton County has one of the highest densities of feedlots in the state. Addressing these feedlot and manure management issues is a very high priority and will provide significant and enduring water quality benefits.
  
                                              Eligible Practices:
                                              Roof Gutters
                                              Clean Water Diversions
                                              Re-Grading and Re-Seeding of Buffer Areas
                                              Installing Filter Strips
                                              Reducing Lot Size
                                              Fencing
                                              Relocating Feedlot
                                              Roofing
                                              Catch Basins for Solids
                                              Or any other practices that are approved by
                                              the SWCD Board that will improve the water quality
                                              leaving the feedlot		  






If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Mike McMillin at the Benton SWCD office (320) 968-5300 Ext. 3.