Overview

The Stewardship Cost Share Program offers financial support and resources for clean water projects within the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District (RPBCWD). A project must support the district’s 10-year watershed management plan goals such as quantifiable benefits to water quality, habitat, or flood reduction. The cost share program has two categories:

  • Mini-Cost Share Projects
  • Standard Cost Share Projects

Program Status

The Stewardship Cost Share Program is currently closed. Applications will reopen in mid-March. You may request a site visit while applications are closed.

Two application windows have been established with only first-time applicants eligible during the first window. First-time and repeat applicants may apply during the second window.

COST SHARE APPLICATION WINDOWS

Application Window

Timeframe

Eligible Applicants

1

March 15 – May 15

First-time applicant

2

May 16 – Oct 31

First-time and repeat applicants

 Deadlines

  • SITE VISIT: You can submit a a site visit request at any time. Most site visits will be scheduled between spring thaw and first hard freeze.
  • APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are accepted through October 31 or until funds are committed.
  • PROJECT DEADLINES:
    • Mini-Cost Share Projects: you must install and submit receipts for reimbursement by November 30th of your application year.
    • Standard Cost Share Projects: if awarded a Standard Cost-Share grant, you have 12 months to install your project.

Highlights

  • The grant project must be located within the watershed district ⬈.
  • You must own the property on which you want to install a Standard Cost Share project. Renters are eligible for Mini-Cost Share projects.
  • Grant funds work like a rebate – the grantee pays all costs up front and is reimbursed per the grant agreement.
  • You may not begin your project until you know the status of your grant application. Work done before a grant is awarded are not eligible for reimbursement (consultant design fee is the only exception).
  • A grant award has a percent cost share award and a not-to-exceed dollar amount. If your final project cost is greater than expected, you will have to pay for the overage out of pocket.
  • If awarded a Standard Cost Share Grant, your project plan may not change unless approved in advance by the grant coordinator.

Policies

The Stewardship Grant Program Policies document is the governing document for the program, and this document is updated every year. Any contradictory information found on program webpages, handouts, or other materials is overridden by the policies document. Please notify the grant coordinator is you find contradictory information.

Download the 2025 Stewardship Grant Program Policies*

* The policy document was approved by the Board of Managers at their 3/5/2025 meeting.

Privacy Notice
All information, including but not limited to applications, conceptual designs, contractor bids, cost estimates, final decisions and specifications, copies of permits, and proof of expenditures is subject to disclosure to the public when submitted to the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District except where specifically protected as non-public by state law.

What Projects are Eligible?

The Stewardship Program funds water resource improvement and protection projects that have quantifiable benefits to water quality, habitat, and/or flooding. Projects with a greater benefit to water quality or those that achieve multiple District goals will be considered for the maximum cost-share awards. All projects must take place within the watershed district boundary on property owned by the individuals or organization.

Maximum Awards

The maximum award for a project is based upon the applicant category, project type, and the benefit of the project toward meeting District goals. A grant offer will include a percent award (most range from 25% to 75% of eligible project costs) and a not-to-exceed amount. The not-to-exceed amount is the maximum dollar amount that will be reimbursed to the grantee after the project is complete. If your final project cost exceeds the estimate in your application, you will be responsible for this overage and your grant award dollar amount will not be adjusted.

Stewardship Cost Share Categories

Resources