$6.8 million coming to Minnesota for sewage treatment, wild land purchases

A House-Senate conference committee has signed off on the federal government's spending bill for the Interior Department that includes $6.8 million for sewage treatment plants and wild land purchases in Minnesota.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced the funding for the eight projects today, saying passage by the Senate is expected soon.

Klobuchar's office said these projects are included in the bill:

• $1,000,000 for upgrades to the Grand Rapids Public Utilities Commission's wastewater treatment plant.

• $300,000 for the city of St. Cloud to improve and expand their treatment plant to serve nearby cities.

• 500,000 for water and sewer infrastructure expansion in South Bend Township.

• $500,000 for water treatment facility infrastructure in Maple Plain.

• $900,000 to acquire additional land for the Chippewa and Superior National Forests.

• $3,000,000 for Koochiching State Forest to protect sensitive forest habitat and encourage sustainable timber management