Minnesota Mixed Bag: Operation Dry Water anchors DNR safety, enforcement efforts during holiday week

St. Paul — People across the state are gearing up for lots of time on the water in the days ahead and just after the Fourth of July holiday.

As they do, Minnesota DNR conservation officers and their public safety partners are reminding them to keep safety at the top of their list.

There are a variety of factors for boaters to keep in mind, including busy waterways, locally high water, and an increased law enforcement presence to keep everyone safe. The latter is part of Operation Dry Water (ODW), a nationwide campaign that runs July 4-6 to highlight the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and call attention to the heavy penalties associated with boating while intoxicated.

In Minnesota and across the nation, BWI is the leading contributing factor in boating accidents and fatalities.

“There’s no gray area when it comes to boating under the influence: If you’re caught, you will go to jail,” said Lt. Eric Sullivan, the DNR Enforcement Division’s Marine Unit supervisor.

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BWSR ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CLEAN WATER FUND GRANTS

St. Paul — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is now seeking applications for its Clean Water Fund Competitive Grants Program. More than $9.6 million in grants and $3.4 million in loans are available to local governments. Eligible applicants include soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, counties, joint powers boards, and municipalities with approved water management plans.

“Supporting local efforts to improve water quality and protect drinking water is essential to BWSR’s mission,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “These grants will help local governments advance meaningful conservation work throughout Minnesota.”

The application period opened June 28 and closes Aug. 22. Grants are typically awarded during the winter following the application period. Interested applicants may find the Request for Proposals on BWSR’s website.

$16 MILLION IN GRANTS AWARDED FOR COMMUNITY FORESTS

St. Paul — The Minnesota DNR has announced that 81 communities will be receiving a collective $16 million through the ReLeaf Community Forestry Grants and the Shade Tree Bonding Grants.

These grants underscore Minnesota’s commitment to addressing emerald ash borer and other invasive pests while fostering climate-resilient communities.

Awardees include municipalities, towns, counties, a tribal government, nonprofits, and a school district. The ReLeaf Grants will support 31 projects in areas of environmental justice concern. The Shade Tree Bonding Grants will support projects in 43 communities, with a focus on removing ash trees that pose a public safety concern and planting diverse, climate-adapted trees to Minnesota.

A full list of grant recipients is available on the DNR website.

WISCONSIN DNR SETS DEER HUNT FRAMEWORK

Madison, Wis. — The Wisconsin DNR in late June presented deer harvest quotas and the framework for the 2024 Wisconsin deer-hunting season to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.

The statewide antlerless quota for the 2024 season is 272,837 deer, with 245,245 total bonus antlerless harvest authorizations available for purchase across the state. These authorizations are in addition to the free antlerless harvest authorizations issued in farmland zones, which are not reflected in this total.

Antlerless harvest opportunities will vary between deer management units based on local deer population levels and management goals. This approach allows for greater harvest opportunities in zones where deer are abundant and more conservative harvests where deer are fewer in number.

For the 2024 season, bonus antlerless harvest authorizations will be available for purchase in all deer management units except Ashland and Iron counties, as recommended by their county deer advisory councils.

For more information, visit: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/deer