The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources on Tuesday announced $2 million in grant funding for 15 counties — including Freeborn County — as part of a continuing effort to help counties recover from damages from heavy rains in 2014.

The funding was issued to soil and water conservation districts in the following counties: Blue Earth, Chippewa, Freeborn, Jackson, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Pipestone, Ramsey, Redwood, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Steele and Wright.

According to a news release, the money will be used to implement conservation practices that address imminent threats of erosion and water quality problems on private or public lands or to repair or replace existing conservation practices on private land.

“Our local government partners have done great work to determine the best practices to address water quality, health and safety issues,” said John Jaschke, executive director of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. “If there are wells at risk of contamination or roads in danger of washing out, these funds will enable counties to take action.”

Previous 2014 flood relief funding included $3 million in May 2016 and $7.8 million in a prior phase, bringing the total awarded over the three phases to $12.9 million, the release stated.

These dollars covered implementation of conservation programs where human safety and health is a concern and erosion and water quality programs associated with threats to private or public improvements.