The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have selected 26 
proposals to receive a total of $20 million in awards for habitat restoration and outdoor recreation projects in the Twin Cities east metropolitan area and in downstream areas of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers that have been affected by per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, commonly called PFAS, released by 3M.
The state of Minnesota reached a Natural Resource Damage Assessment settlement with 3M in 2018 after alleging that the company’s releases of PFAS chemicals had harmed drinking water and natural resources in the Twin Cities east metropolitan area. The DNR and MPCA are co-trustees of the settlement funds.
The DNR and MPCA are awarding grants to projects that restore and enhance aquatic resources, wildlife, habitat, fishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities in the project area.
These projects are being funded under Priority 2 of Minnesota’s 2018 PFAS NRDA settlement with 3M. Priority 1 under the settlement is dedicated to drinking water projects in the Twin Cities east metropolitan area and provides about $800 million for that work.
Dakota County is receiving two grants from the project, a habitat restoration for the Spring Lake Park Reserve, and river access improvements for Kaposia Landing in South St. Paul.
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