Pope SWCD has some funding to provide cost-share assistance for well sealing. The SWCD will contract with the property owners to share the cost of priority-abandoned wells. In turn, the property owner must contract with a state-licensed well sealing contractor to perform all necessary work. All work must be done in accordance with the Minnesota Well Code, including the filing of a sealed well record with the Minnesota Department of Health. Upon completion of all of the required work and the submission of the required documents to the SWCD, reimbursement to the property owner will be made.
The Pope Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has funding available to seal abandoned wells in the County. This funding is available as cost share assistance because of the County Water Plan on a first come first serve basis. Limited funding is available on a voluntary basis. Owners of the privately owned abandoned wells in the County will be entitled to apply for cost share at a rate of 75% of the total cost per well, not to exceed $500.00 per well.
The completed applications will be reviewed and approved by the Pope SWCD board of supervisors. Applications procedures are as follows:
- Complete the attached well sealing application form as accurately as possible and return it to the address listed at the top of this form. A cost estimate is required from a licensed well driller as part of the application.
- Wells will be given top priority ranking and selected for cost sharing according to the information received in the application.
- Wells approved for cost share will be required to sign a cost share contract.
- Upon notification of approval, your licensed contractor can proceed with the well sealing. The work must be completed by the date shown on the cost-share contract or the cost-share will be forfeited.
- The owner is responsible for paying the well contractor for the entire well sealing costs.
- When the well sealing is completed, and after receiving a copy of the abandoned well record and a copy of the itemized bill, the SWCD will reimburse the well owner the specified amount in the cost share contract upon board approval at the next regular scheduled meeting.
- Applicants who seal wells prior to receiving a signed contract from the SWCD office will lose their eligibility for cost share.