NEW ULM — The Cottonwood River is eroding a riverbank east of County Highway 10 to the point where cement bunker blocks were placed just north of 220th Street to deal with right of way erosion a couple miles southeast of Sleepy Eye.

Brown County Highway Engineer Andrew Lang told Brown County commissioners Tuesday that a proposed road segment would be realigned about 1,500 feet south of concrete bunker blocks placed between the river bank and 220th Street.

The townships requested Brown County sponsor the project for the solicitation of grant funds through the Local Road Improvement Program for Townships. If awarded, grant funds would be used for construction costs estimated at $350,000. Right-of-way, engineering and inspection costs would be negotiated between the townships and landowners.

Lang said the grant application is due in December. He said it should be known if the application is approved for state grant funding in late March or early April. Lang said if the project is approved for funding, construction could start in late summer of 2026.

Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to act as sponsor Stark and Home Township for the state grant application. Action came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Jeff Veerkamp.