Lakescaping and Shoreland Vegetation

Funding Available for Shoreland Vegetation Projects

Reprint from Echo Press -- 6/15/2005
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making $280,000 available in grants for restoring native shoreline vegetation across the state. Grant recipients will be reimbursed for a maximum of 75 percent of the total project costs. Applicants must be able to fund at least 25 percent of the total project costs from non-state sources. Matching funds may be cash, volunteer labor, and in-kind contributions of materials, equipment, and services.
“This is an opportunity for homeowners, local communities and conservation organizations to help enhance native shoreline vegetation and fish habitat in their local lakes, streams and rivers,” said John Hiebert, DNR shoreland habitat coordinator. “A total of 29 projects were funded for $276,000 in 2004-2005.”
Applications for grants, are available on the Minnesota DNR Web site at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/shoreland.html or by calling the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367). Completed grant applications are due September 16.
Successful applicants were be notified in January and funds were made available to successful applicants after July 1, 2006.

The grants are funded from state lottery proceeds deposited in the Heritage Enhancement Account. Grants are administered through the DNR Division of Fisheries and Wildife and designed with guidance from local DNR fisheries managers.

Lakescaping Opportunity!

Douglas County is once again offering its Cost-Share Lakescaping Program!
We are looking for sites with erosion problems and residents who would like to solve these problems naturally by planting native plants and aquatics.
The program involves a 10-year maintenance contract with a 50/50 share of the cost, materials, and labor needed to restore the shoreland with native vegetation. We will visit with homeowners and develop a design for their lakeshore, make necessary site preparations, and aide them in planting it.
If you are interested, please contact Sarah Kuehn as soon as possible at Douglas County Land and Resources through Emily Wolf (320)762-3066 or e-mail: emily.wolf@mail.co.douglas.mn.us