Bill Text: MN HF207 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Outdoor heritage funding provided, restoration evaluation requirements modified, land acquisition requirements established, and money appropriated.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-18 - Committee report, to pass as amended and re-refer to Legacy [HF207 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-HF207-Engrossed.html
1.2relating to natural resources; appropriating money from the outdoor heritage
1.3fund; modifying restoration evaluation requirements; establishing certain land
1.4acquisition requirements;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056,
1.5subdivision 10, by adding subdivisions.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.8The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
1.9agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the outdoor
1.10heritage fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2014" and "2015"
1.11used in this act mean that the appropriations listed under the figure are available for the
1.12fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, and June 30, 2015, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal
1.13year 2014. "The second year" is fiscal year 2015. The "biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and
1.142015. The appropriations in this act are onetime.
1.21This appropriation is from the outdoor
1.22heritage fund. The amounts that may be
1.23spent for each purpose are specified in the
1.24following subdivisions.
2.3$2,000,000 in the first year is to the Board of
2.4Water and Soil Resources for a pilot project
2.5to acquire permanent conservation easements
2.6on grasslands in cooperation with the
2.7Minnesota Land Trust and the Conservation
2.8Fund. Up to $1,850,000 may be used
2.9for agreements with the Minnesota Land
2.10Trust to acquire permanent conservation
2.11easements and up to $75,000 may be used
2.12for establishing monitoring and enforcement
2.13funds with the Minnesota Land Trust and
2.14the Board of Water and Soil Resources,
2.15as approved in the accomplishment plan
2.16and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
2.1797A.056, subdivision 17. Up to $75,000
2.18may be used for an agreement with the
2.19Conservation Fund for professional services.
2.20Easements funded under this appropriation
2.21are not subject to emergency haying and
2.22grazing orders. Any net proceeds accruing to
2.23a project partner from real estate transactions
2.24related to this project must be used for the
2.25purposes outlined in this appropriation. A
2.26list of permanent conservation easements
2.27must be provided as part of the required
2.28accomplishment plan.
2.31$7,960,000 in the first year is to the
2.32commissioner of natural resources for an
2.33agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
2.34land in fee for wildlife management purposes
2.35under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
3.1subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
3.2acquisitions must be provided as part of the
3.3required accomplishment plan.
3.7$4,940,000 in the first year is to the
3.8commissioner of natural resources to
3.9acquire land in fee for wildlife management
3.10purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
3.1186A.05, subdivision 8; acquire land in fee
3.12for scientific and natural area purposes
3.13under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
3.14subdivision 5; and acquire native prairie
3.15bank easements under Minnesota Statutes,
3.16section 84.96. Up to $42,000 is for
3.17establishing a monitoring and enforcement
3.18fund, as approved in the accomplishment
3.19plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
3.20section 97A.056, subdivision 17, for native
3.21prairie bank easements. A list of proposed
3.22land and permanent conservation easement
3.23acquisitions must be provided as part of the
3.24required accomplishment plan.
3.27$5,310,000 in the first year is to the
3.28commissioner of natural resources for an
3.29agreement with The Nature Conservancy
3.30to acquire native prairie, wetland, and
3.31savanna and restore and enhance grasslands,
3.32wetlands, and savanna. A list of proposed
3.33land acquisitions must be provided as part of
3.34the required accomplishment plan. Annual
3.35income statements and balance sheets for
3.36income and expenses from land acquired
4.1with this appropriation must be submitted to
4.2the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
4.3no later than 180 days following the close of
4.4The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year.
4.7$3,520,000 in the first year is to the Board
4.8of Water and Soil Resources to acquire
4.9permanent conservation easements to protect
4.10and enhance habitat by expanding clean
4.11water fund riparian wildlife buffers on private
4.12land. Up to $120,000 is for establishing
4.13a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
4.14approved in the accomplishment plan and
4.15subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
4.1697A.056, subdivision 17. Easements funded
4.17under this appropriation are not subject to
4.18emergency haying and grazing orders. A list
4.19of permanent conservation easements must
4.20be provided as part of the final report.
4.23$1,780,000 in the first year is to the
4.24commissioner of natural resources for an
4.25agreement with Trust for Public Land to
4.26acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River
4.27watershed for wildlife management purposes
4.28under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
4.29subdivision 8, or aquatic management area
4.30purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections
4.3186A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of
4.32proposed land acquisitions must be provided
4.33as part of the required accomplishment plan.
5.1$2,220,000 in the first year is to the
5.2commissioner of natural resources to
5.3accelerate the restoration and enhancement
5.4of wildlife management areas, scientific
5.5and natural areas, and land under native
5.6prairie bank easements. A list of proposed
5.7land restorations and enhancements
5.8must be provided as part of the required
5.9accomplishment plan.
5.12$1,180,000 in the first year is to the
5.13commissioner of natural resources for
5.14an agreement with the American Bird
5.15Conservancy to acquire lands in fee to be
5.16added to the wildlife management area system
5.17under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
5.18subdivision 8, and to restore and enhance
5.19habitat on publicly protected land. A list of
5.20proposed land acquisitions must be provided
5.21as part of the required accomplishment plan.
5.23$1,150,000 in the first year is to the Board of
5.24Water and Soil Resources and $300,000 in
5.25the first year is to the Department of Natural
5.26Resources to acquire land in fee to be added
5.27to the wildlife management area system
5.28under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
5.29subdivision 8, and to acquire permanent
5.30conservation easements on lands adjacent
5.31to the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers
5.32and within the boundaries of the Minnesota
5.33National Guard Army Compatible Use
5.34Buffer. Of the amount appropriated to the
5.35Board of Water and Soil Resources, $49,900
6.1is for a grant to the Morrison County Soil
6.2and Water Conservation District and up to
6.3$33,600 is for establishing a monitoring
6.4and enforcement fund, as approved in
6.5the accomplishment plan and subject to
6.6Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
6.7subdivision 17. A list of proposed land
6.8acquisitions and permanent conservation
6.9easements must be provided as part of the
6.10required accomplishment plan.
6.13$1,180,000 in the first year is to the
6.14commissioner of natural resources for
6.15an agreement with Pheasants Forever in
6.16cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed
6.17Grouse Society to acquire and enhance
6.18lands in Aitkin, Carlton, and Kanabec
6.19Counties for wildlife management purposes
6.20under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
6.21subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
6.22acquisitions must be provided as part of the
6.23required accomplishment plan.
6.26$500,000 in the first year is to the
6.27commissioner of natural resources for an
6.28agreement with Cass County to acquire land
6.29in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife
6.30habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation.
6.31A list of proposed land acquisitions
6.32must be provided as part of the required
6.33accomplishment plan.
7.1$820,000 in the first year is to the
7.2commissioner of natural resources for
7.3an agreement with the Minnesota Land
7.4Trust to acquire permanent conservation
7.5easements along rivers and lakes in the
7.6northern forest region. Up to $160,000 is for
7.7establishing a monitoring and enforcement
7.8fund, as approved in the accomplishment
7.9plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
7.10section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of
7.11proposed permanent conservation easements
7.12must be provided as part of the required
7.13accomplishment plan.
7.16$2,000,000 in the first year is to the
7.17commissioner of natural resources for an
7.18agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters
7.19Association to restore and enhance public
7.20forest lands in the northern forest region
7.21for moose habitat purposes. A list of
7.22proposed land restoration and enhancements
7.23must be provided as part of the required
7.24accomplishment plan.
7.28$13,390,000 in the first year is to the Board
7.29of Soil and Water Resources to acquire
7.30permanent conservation easements and
7.31restore wetlands and associated upland
7.32habitat in cooperation with the United
7.33States Department of Agriculture Wetlands
7.34Reserve Program and Ducks Unlimited,
7.35including $1,000,000 for an agreement
7.36with Ducks Unlimited to provide technical
8.1and bioengineering assistance. Up to
8.2$120,000 is for establishing a monitoring
8.3and enforcement fund, as approved in
8.4the accomplishment plan and subject to
8.5Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
8.6subdivision 17. A list of permanent
8.7conservation easements must be provided as
8.8part of the final report.
8.11$6,830,000 in the first year is to the
8.12commissioner of natural resources for an
8.13agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
8.14land in fee to be designated and managed as
8.15waterfowl production areas in Minnesota,
8.16in cooperation with the United States Fish
8.17and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land
8.18acquisitions must be provided as part of the
8.19required accomplishment plan.
8.22$3,530,000 in the first year is to the
8.23commissioner of natural resources for an
8.24agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire
8.25land in fee for wildlife management purposes
8.26under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
8.27subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
8.28acquisitions must be provided as part of the
8.29required accomplishment plan.
8.32$1,630,000 in the first year is to the Board
8.33of Water and Soil Resources to acquire
8.34in fee wild rice lake shoreland habitat
8.35for native wild rice bed protection and to
8.36acquire permanent conservation easements
9.1in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited. Of
9.2this amount, $100,000 is for an agreement
9.3with Ducks Unlimited for acquisition of land
9.4or interests in land to protect native wild
9.5rice beds. Up to $48,000 is for establishing
9.6a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
9.7approved in the accomplishment plan and
9.8subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
9.997A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed
9.10land acquisitions must be included as part of
9.11the required accomplishment plan.
9.13$1,980,000 in the first year is to the
9.14commissioner of natural resources for an
9.15agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust to
9.16acquire permanent conservation easements
9.17in high-priority wetland complexes in
9.18the prairie and forest/prairie transition
9.19regions. Up to $280,000 is for establishing
9.20a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
9.21approved in the accomplishment plan and
9.22subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
9.2397A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed
9.24land acquisitions must be included as part of
9.25the required accomplishment plan.
9.28$1,790,000 in the first year is to the
9.29commissioner of natural resources to
9.30enhance and restore shallow lakes, including
9.31$210,000 for an agreement with Ducks
9.32Unlimited to help implement restorations
9.33and enhancements. A list of proposed
9.34land restorations and enhancements
10.1must be provided as part of the required
10.2accomplishment plan.
10.4$2,000,000 in the first year is to the
10.5commissioner of natural resources for an
10.6agreement with Ducks Unlimited to construct
10.7a gravity outlet, water control structure, and
10.8pump station lift to enhance aquatic habitat
10.9in Pelican Lake in Wright County. A list of
10.10proposed land restoration and enhancements
10.11must be included as part of the required
10.12accomplishment plan.
10.15$5,250,000 in the first year is to the
10.16commissioner of natural resources to
10.17acquire interests in land in fee for aquatic
10.18management purposes under Minnesota
10.19Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14,
10.20and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance
10.21aquatic habitat. A list of proposed
10.22land acquisitions and restorations and
10.23enhancements must be provided as part of
10.24the required accomplishment plan.
10.27$4,100,000 in the first year is to the
10.28commissioner of natural resources for an
10.29agreement with Dakota County to acquire,
10.30restore, and enhance lands in Dakota County
10.31for fish and wildlife management purposes
10.32under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
10.33subdivision 8, or aquatic management area
10.34purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections
10.3586A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, and to
11.1acquire permanent conservation easements
11.2and restore and enhance habitats in rivers
11.3and lake watersheds in Dakota County. Up
11.4to $60,000 is for establishing a monitoring
11.5and enforcement fund, as approved in
11.6the accomplishment plan and subject to
11.7Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
11.8subdivision 17. A list of proposed land
11.9acquisitions and permanent conservation
11.10easements must be provided as part of the
11.11required accomplishment plan.
11.13$2,750,000 in the first year is to the
11.14commissioner of natural resources for
11.15agreements to acquire land in fee for
11.16scientific and natural areas under Minnesota
11.17Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 5, and
11.18for state forest purposes under Minnesota
11.19Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7,
11.20and to acquire permanent conservation
11.21easements as follows: $2,122,000 to The
11.22Nature Conservancy and $628,000 to the
11.23Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $100,000 is for
11.24establishing a monitoring and enforcement
11.25fund, as approved in the accomplishment
11.26plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
11.27section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list
11.28of proposed acquisitions and permanent
11.29conservation easements must be provided as
11.30part of the required accomplishment plan.
11.32$1,720,000 in the first year is to the
11.33commissioner of natural resources for
11.34agreements to acquire land in fee and as
11.35permanent conservation easements and
12.1to restore and enhance natural systems
12.2associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
12.3and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $450,000
12.4to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife
12.5Refuge Trust, Inc.; $160,000 to the Friends
12.6of the Mississippi; $210,000 to the Great
12.7River Greening; $450,000 to the Minnesota
12.8Land Trust; and $450,000 to the Trust
12.9for Public Land. Up to $80,000 is for
12.10establishing a monitoring and enforcement
12.11fund, as approved in the accomplishment
12.12plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
12.13section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of
12.14proposed land acquisitions and permanent
12.15conservation easements must be provided as
12.16part of the required accomplishment plan.
12.18$1,000,000 in the first year is to the Board
12.19of Regents of the University of Minnesota
12.20to acquire land in fee surrounding Lake
12.21Tamarack in Carver County to be added to
12.22the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. A land
12.23description must be provided as part of the
12.24required accomplishment plan.
12.27$1,710,000 in the first year is to the
12.28commissioner of natural resources to
12.29enhance aquatic habitat. Of this amount,
12.30$450,000 is for an agreement with the
12.31United States Fish and Wildlife Service
12.32to enhance aquatic habitat in the lower
12.33Mississippi River watershed. A list of
12.34proposed land restorations and enhancements
13.1must be provided as part of the required
13.2accomplishment plan.
13.5$2,470,000 in the first year is to the
13.6commissioner of natural resources for an
13.7agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
13.8to restore and enhance coldwater river and
13.9stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of
13.10proposed land restorations and enhancements
13.11must be provided as part of the required
13.12accomplishment plan.
13.15$1,127,000 in the first year is to the
13.16commissioner of natural resources for
13.17an agreement with the Shell Rock River
13.18Watershed District to construct structural
13.19deterrents and lake level controls to enhance
13.20aquatic habitat on Albert Lea Lake in
13.21Freeborn County. A list of proposed
13.22land restorations and enhancements
13.23must be provided as part of the required
13.24accomplishment plan.
13.27$6,396,000 in the first year is to the
13.28Metropolitan Council to restore and enhance
13.29fish and wildlife habitat in forests, prairies,
13.30and wetlands in the metropolitan regional
13.31parks system. Of this amount:
13.32(1) $500,000 is for Dakota County to convert
13.33existing agricultural land and low-quality
13.34woods and grassland in Whitetail Woods
13.35Regional Park to prairie and oak savanna
14.1centered around an existing wetland,
14.2resulting in substantial habitat improvements
14.3for waterfowl and other wildlife;
14.4(2) $60,000 is for Dakota County to protect
14.5and enhance Miesville Ravine Park Reserve
14.6through earth shaping, slope stabilization,
14.7and perhaps piping of one severe gully
14.8erosion situation and other eroding sites that
14.9are presently contributing sediment to Trout
14.10Brook, impairing water quality and the brook
14.11trout population;
14.12(3) $500,000 is for the city of St. Paul
14.13to restore two acres of prairie adjacent to
14.14Pickerel Lake and to plant and enhance
14.15an additional two acres of prairie, five
14.16acres of forest, and one acre of wetland in
14.17Lilydale Regional Park. This will enhance
14.18connectivity of existing natural resources
14.19including floodplain forest, upland prairie,
14.20and emergent marsh;
14.21(4) $915,000 is for the Minneapolis Park and
14.22Recreation Board to protect, restore, and
14.23enhance shorelines; reduce invasive upland
14.24species; and repair erosion and unpaved
14.25walking paths at Sweeney and Twin Lakes
14.26and to enhance the Wirth Lake wetland
14.27complex; reduce invasive upland species;
14.28correct erosion problems; close unauthorized
14.29trails; and repair unpaved walking paths in
14.30Theodore Wirth Regional Park;
14.31(5) $468,000 is for Ramsey County to restore
14.3272 acres in Battle Creek Regional Park along
14.33the bluff of the Mississippi River, including
14.34restoration and enhancement of prairie,
14.35savanna, oak woods, and shrub swamp seeps
15.1to improve waterfowl and upland game bird
15.2feeding and nesting habitats;
15.3(6) $210,000 is for the Three Rivers Park
15.4District to restore the water quality and
15.5game fish habitat in Lake Independence in
15.6Barker Park Reserve by reducing phosphorus
15.7loading from Spurzem and Half Moon Lakes
15.8through treatment with aluminum sulfate;
15.9(7) $400,000 is for the Three Rivers Park
15.10District to enhance and restore the quality
15.11of Cleary Lake and restore the fishery by
15.12controlling curly-leaf pondweed, reducing
15.13phosphorus runoff from the watershed, and
15.14controlling internal phosphorus cycling with
15.15aluminum sulfate;
15.16(8) $200,000 is for Carver County to restore
15.17and enhance Lake Minnewashta Regional
15.18Park by converting 37 acres of existing
15.19turf or old fields to native prairie and oak
15.20savanna. These areas are identified in the
15.21park master plan as medium to high potential
15.22sites for restoration;
15.23(9) $270,000 is for Anoka County to
15.24restore and enhance 120 acres of prairie
15.25and woodland habitat within the 273-acre
15.26Mississippi West Regional Park. Outcomes
15.27will include increased habitat for game and
15.28nongame species and benefits to migratory
15.29waterfowl on the Mississippi flyway;
15.30(10) $200,000 is for Anoka County to
15.31restore 45 acres of prairie and oak savanna
15.32and remove invasive species from 40
15.33acres of riparian forest land at Rum River
15.34Central Regional Park. The restoration
15.35will benefit the adjacent 550-acre Cedar
16.1Creek Conservation Area, which is open to
16.2hunting and was funded through a recent
16.3appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund;
16.4(11) $338,000 is for Scott County to restore
16.5and enhance 150 acres within the 1,150-acre
16.6conservation-focused Doyle-Kennefick
16.7Regional Park. The project site is part of an
16.8850-acre mosaic of natural lands including
16.9Minnesota County Biological Survey forest
16.10and some of the highest-quality wetlands in
16.11Scott County. The park master plan identifies
16.12this natural complex to be conserved for
16.13habitat and biological diversity with very
16.14light recreational development;
16.15(12) $37,000 is for Scott County to restore
16.16and enhance Cedar Lake Farm Regional
16.17Park by partnering with the Cedar Lake
16.18Improvement District and Scott Watershed
16.19Management Organization for four years of
16.20treatment to control the curly-leaf pondweed
16.21infestation dominating Cedar Lake. The
16.22goal is to restore 700 acres of shallow lake,
16.23improve fishing opportunities, and increase
16.24native aquatic plant habitat;
16.25(13) $1,523,000 is for Scott County to
16.26restore and enhance 302 acres of contiguous
16.27forest, wetlands, and lakeshore in Spring
16.28Lake Regional Park by improving habitat
16.29for interior forest birds, waterfowl, and
16.30amphibians. Adjacent to Upper Prior, Spring,
16.31and Arctic Lakes, this site is part of a larger
16.32permanent habitat network;
16.33(14) $425,000 is for Washington County to
16.34restore and enhance Lake Elmo Park Reserve
16.35by creating 168 acres of interconnected
17.1tallgrass prairie through the restoration of 12
17.2wetland basins that are scattered throughout
17.3an existing tallgrass prairie complex. These
17.4diverse landscapes provide critical habitat for
17.5native ground-nesting birds; and
17.6(15) $350,000 is for Washington County to
17.7restore and enhance rare and unique forest
17.8communities identified by the Department
17.9of Natural Resources in Lake Elmo Park
17.10Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
17.11These forests provide exceptional habitat
17.12for native and migrating bird species and
17.13represent some of the best opportunities for
17.14avian habitat improvement in Washington
17.15County.
17.16Funded projects must implement priority
17.17natural resource management plan
17.18components of regional park master plans
17.19approved by the Metropolitan Council.
17.22$3,860,000 in the first year is to the
17.23commissioner of natural resources for a
17.24program to provide competitive, matching
17.25grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional,
17.26state, and national organizations for
17.27enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests,
17.28wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game,
17.29or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not
17.30be made for activities required to fulfill
17.31the duties of owners of lands subject to
17.32conservation easements. Grants shall not be
17.33made from appropriations in this paragraph
17.34for projects that have a total project cost
17.35exceeding $575,000. Of this appropriation,
17.36$366,000 may be spent for personnel costs
18.1and other direct and necessary administrative
18.2costs, and $10,000 is for outreach efforts to
18.3encourage underrepresented communities
18.4to apply for grants under this paragraph.
18.5Grantees may acquire land or interests in
18.6land. Easements must be permanent. Land
18.7acquired in fee must be open to hunting
18.8and fishing during the open season unless
18.9otherwise provided by state law. The program
18.10shall require a cash match of at least ten
18.11percent from nonstate sources for all grants.
18.12For grant applications of $25,000 or less,
18.13the commissioner shall provide a separate,
18.14simplified application process. Subject to
18.15Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of
18.16natural resources shall, when evaluating
18.17projects of equal value, give priority to
18.18organizations that have a history of receiving
18.19or charter to receive private contributions
18.20for local conservation or habitat projects. If
18.21acquiring land or a conservation easement,
18.22priority shall be given to projects associated
18.23with existing wildlife management areas
18.24under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
18.25subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas
18.26under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033
18.27and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic
18.28management areas under Minnesota Statutes,
18.29sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02.
18.30All restoration or enhancement projects
18.31must be on land permanently protected by a
18.32conservation easement or public ownership
18.33or in public waters as defined in Minnesota
18.34Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision
18.3515. Priority shall be given to restoration
18.36and enhancement projects on public lands.
19.1Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
19.2subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded
19.3under this paragraph. This appropriation is
19.4available until June 30, 2017. No less than
19.5five percent of the amount of each grant
19.6must be held back from reimbursement until
19.7the grant recipient has completed a grant
19.8accomplishment report by the deadline and
19.9in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to
19.10the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
19.11The commissioner shall provide notice of
19.12the grant program in the game and fish law
19.13summaries that are prepared under Minnesota
19.14Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.
19.17$175,000 in the first year is to the
19.18commissioner of natural resources for
19.19contract management duties assigned in this
19.20section. The commissioner shall provide an
19.21accomplishment plan in the form specified by
19.22the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
19.23on the expenditure of this appropriation.
19.24The accomplishment plan must include
19.25a copy of the grant contract template
19.26and reimbursement manual. No money
19.27may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams
19.28Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the
19.29accomplishment plan.
19.31$936,000 in the first year is to the Legislative
19.32Coordinating Commission for administrative
19.33expenses of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
19.34Heritage Council and for compensation and
19.35expense reimbursement of council members.
20.1Funds in this appropriation are available until
20.2June 30, 2015. Minnesota Statutes, section
20.316A.281, applies to this appropriation.
20.5$90,000 in the first year is to the
20.6commissioner of natural resources for a
20.7technical evaluation panel to conduct up to
20.8ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota
20.9Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.
20.13$50,000 in the first year is to the
20.14commissioner of natural resources to provide
20.15land acquisition pre-transaction services
20.16including, but not limited to, appraisals,
20.17surveys, or title research for acquisition
20.18proposals under consideration by the
20.19Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. A
20.20list of activities must be included in the final
20.21accomplishment plan.
20.23Money appropriated in this section may
20.24not be spent on activities unless they are
20.25directly related to and necessary for a
20.26specific appropriation and are specified in
20.27the accomplishment plan approved by the
20.28Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
20.29Money appropriated in this section must
20.30not be spent on indirect costs or other
20.31institutional overhead charges that are not
20.32directly related to and necessary for a specific
20.33appropriation. Unless otherwise provided,
20.34the amounts in this section are available
20.35until June 30, 2016. For acquisition of real
21.1property, the amounts in this section are
21.2available until June 30, 2017, if a binding
21.3agreement with a landowner or purchase
21.4agreement is entered into by June 30, 2016,
21.5and closed no later than June 30, 2017. Funds
21.6for restoration or enhancement are available
21.7until June 30, 2018, or four years after
21.8acquisition, whichever is later, in order to
21.9complete initial restoration or enhancement
21.10work. If a project receives federal funds, the
21.11time period of the appropriation is extended
21.12to equal the availability of federal funding.
21.13Funds appropriated for fee title acquisition
21.14of land may be used to restore, enhance, and
21.15provide for public use of the land acquired
21.16with the appropriation. Public use facilities
21.17must have a minimal impact on habitat in
21.18acquired lands.
21.21All agreements referred to in this section must
21.22be administered on a reimbursement basis
21.23unless otherwise provided in this section.
21.24Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
21.2516A.41, expenditures directly related
21.26to each appropriation's purpose made
21.27on or after July 1, 2013, or the date of
21.28accomplishment plan approval, whichever is
21.29later, are eligible for reimbursement unless
21.30otherwise provided in this section. For the
21.31purposes of administering appropriations
21.32and legislatively authorized agreements
21.33paid out of the outdoor heritage fund, an
21.34expense must be considered reimbursable
21.35by the administering agency when the
21.36recipient presents the agency with an invoice
22.1or binding agreement with the landowner
22.2and the recipient attests that the goods have
22.3been received or the landowner agreement
22.4is binding. Periodic reimbursement must
22.5be made upon receiving documentation that
22.6the items articulated in the accomplishment
22.7plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
22.8Heritage Council have been achieved,
22.9including partial achievements as evidenced
22.10by progress reports approved by the
22.11Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
22.12Reasonable amounts may be advanced to
22.13projects to accommodate cash flow needs,
22.14support future management of acquired
22.15lands, or match a federal share. The
22.16advances must be approved as part of the
22.17accomplishment plan. Capital equipment
22.18expenditures for specific items in excess of
22.19$10,000 must be itemized in and approved as
22.20part of the accomplishment plan.
22.22Each direct recipient of money appropriated
22.23in this section, as well as each recipient of
22.24a grant awarded pursuant to this section,
22.25must provide geographic information to
22.26the Department of Natural Resources for
22.27mapping any lands acquired in fee with
22.28funds appropriated in this section and open
22.29to public taking of fish and game. The
22.30commissioner of natural resources shall
22.31include the lands acquired in fee with
22.32money appropriated in this section on maps
22.33showing public recreation opportunities.
22.34Maps shall include information on and
22.35acknowledgement of the outdoor heritage
22.36fund, including a notation of any restrictions.
23.3The availability of the appropriation for the
23.4following project is extended to July 1, 2015:
23.5Laws 2010, chapter 361, article 1, section
23.62, subdivision 5, paragraph (h), Washington
23.7County St. Croix River Land Protection, and
23.8the appropriation may be spent on acquisition
23.9of land in fee title to protect habitat associated
23.10with the St. Croix River Valley. A list of
23.11proposed acquisitions must be provided as
23.12part of the accomplishment plan.
23.14A recipient of money from an appropriation
23.15under this section must give consideration
23.16to and make timely written contact with
23.17Conservation Corps Minnesota for possible
23.18use of the corps' services to contract for
23.19restoration and enhancement services. A
23.20copy of the written contact must be filed with
23.21the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
23.22within 15 days of execution.
23.23 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
23.24 Subd. 10. Restoration evaluations. The commissioner of natural resources and the
23.25Board of Water and Soil Resources may convene a technical evaluation panel comprised
23.26of five members, including one technical representative from the Board of Water and Soil
23.27Resources, one technical representative from the Department of Natural Resources, one
23.28technical expert from the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and
23.29Universities, and two representatives with expertise in the project being evaluated. The
23.30board and the commissioner may add a technical representative from a unit of federal or
23.31local government. The members of the technical evaluation panel may not be associated
23.32with the restoration, may vary depending upon the projects being reviewed, and shall
23.33avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Each year, the board and the commissioner may
23.34assign a coordinator to identify a sample ofup to ten habitat restoration projects completed
24.1with outdoor heritage funding. The coordinator shall secure the restoration plans for the
24.2projects specified and direct the technical evaluation panel to evaluate the restorations
24.3relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration
24.4plan and, when applicable, to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
24.5establishment and enhancement guidelines. The coordinator shall summarize the findings
24.6of the panel and provide a report to the chair of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage
24.7Council and the chairs of the respective house of representatives and senate policy and
24.8finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and spending from the outdoor
24.9heritage fund. The report shall determine if the restorations are meeting planned goals,
24.10any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations
24.11on improving restorations. The report shall be focused on improving future restorations.
24.12Up to one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from the outdoor heritage fund may
24.13be used for restoration evaluations under this section.
24.14 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision
24.15to read:
24.16 Subd. 20. Acquisitions of lands or interest in lands; commissioner approval;
24.17appraisals. (a) A recipient of an appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund that
24.18acquires an interest in real property must receive written approval from the commissioner
24.19of natural resources prior to the acquisition, if the interest is acquired in whole or in part
24.20with the appropriation. Conservation easements to be held by the Board of Water and Soil
24.21Resources are not subject to commissioner approval under this section.
24.22(b) The commissioner shall approve acquisitions under this section only when the
24.23interest in real property:
24.24(1) is identified as a high priority by the commissioner and meets the objectives and
24.25criteria identified in the applicable acquisition plan for the intended management status
24.26of the property; or
24.27(2) is otherwise identified by the commissioner as a priority for state financing.
24.28 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision
24.29to read:
24.30 Subd. 21. Value assessment. Prior to acquiring an interest in real property with an
24.31appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund, a recipient of an appropriation must submit
24.32the most recent tax assessed value of the real property and the amount the recipient plans
24.33to offer for the interest in real property to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
24.34and the commissioner of natural resources.
1.3fund; modifying restoration evaluation requirements; establishing certain land
1.4acquisition requirements;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056,
1.5subdivision 10, by adding subdivisions.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
| 1.7 |
Section 1.OUTDOOR HERITAGE APPROPRIATION. |
1.9agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the outdoor
1.10heritage fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2014" and "2015"
1.11used in this act mean that the appropriations listed under the figure are available for the
1.12fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, and June 30, 2015, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal
1.13year 2014. "The second year" is fiscal year 2015. The "biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and
1.142015. The appropriations in this act are onetime.
| 1.15 |
APPROPRIATIONS |
||||||
| 1.16 |
Available for the Year |
||||||
| 1.17 |
Ending June 30 |
||||||
| 1.18 |
2014 |
2015 |
|||||
| 1.19 |
Sec. 2.OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND |
||||||
| 1.20 |
Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation |
$ |
97,644,000 |
$ |
-0- |
||
1.22heritage fund. The amounts that may be
1.23spent for each purpose are specified in the
1.24following subdivisions.
| 2.1 |
Subd. 2.Prairies |
27,730,000 |
-0- |
||||
| 2.2 |
(a) Grasslands for the Future |
||||||
2.4Water and Soil Resources for a pilot project
2.5to acquire permanent conservation easements
2.6on grasslands in cooperation with the
2.7Minnesota Land Trust and the Conservation
2.8Fund. Up to $1,850,000 may be used
2.9for agreements with the Minnesota Land
2.10Trust to acquire permanent conservation
2.11easements and up to $75,000 may be used
2.12for establishing monitoring and enforcement
2.13funds with the Minnesota Land Trust and
2.14the Board of Water and Soil Resources,
2.15as approved in the accomplishment plan
2.16and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
2.1797A.056, subdivision 17. Up to $75,000
2.18may be used for an agreement with the
2.19Conservation Fund for professional services.
2.20Easements funded under this appropriation
2.21are not subject to emergency haying and
2.22grazing orders. Any net proceeds accruing to
2.23a project partner from real estate transactions
2.24related to this project must be used for the
2.25purposes outlined in this appropriation. A
2.26list of permanent conservation easements
2.27must be provided as part of the required
2.28accomplishment plan.
| 2.29 2.30 |
(b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase V |
||||||
2.32commissioner of natural resources for an
2.33agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
2.34land in fee for wildlife management purposes
2.35under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
3.1subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
3.2acquisitions must be provided as part of the
3.3required accomplishment plan.
| 3.4 3.5 3.6 |
(c) DNR Wildlife Management Area, Scientific and Natural Area, and Native Prairie Bank Easement - Phase V |
||||||
3.8commissioner of natural resources to
3.9acquire land in fee for wildlife management
3.10purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
3.1186A.05, subdivision 8; acquire land in fee
3.12for scientific and natural area purposes
3.13under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
3.14subdivision 5; and acquire native prairie
3.15bank easements under Minnesota Statutes,
3.16section 84.96. Up to $42,000 is for
3.17establishing a monitoring and enforcement
3.18fund, as approved in the accomplishment
3.19plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
3.20section 97A.056, subdivision 17, for native
3.21prairie bank easements. A list of proposed
3.22land and permanent conservation easement
3.23acquisitions must be provided as part of the
3.24required accomplishment plan.
| 3.25 3.26 |
(d) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project - Phase IV |
||||||
3.28commissioner of natural resources for an
3.29agreement with The Nature Conservancy
3.30to acquire native prairie, wetland, and
3.31savanna and restore and enhance grasslands,
3.32wetlands, and savanna. A list of proposed
3.33land acquisitions must be provided as part of
3.34the required accomplishment plan. Annual
3.35income statements and balance sheets for
3.36income and expenses from land acquired
4.1with this appropriation must be submitted to
4.2the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
4.3no later than 180 days following the close of
4.4The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year.
| 4.5 4.6 |
(e) Minnesota Buffers for Wildlife and Water - Phase III |
||||||
4.8of Water and Soil Resources to acquire
4.9permanent conservation easements to protect
4.10and enhance habitat by expanding clean
4.11water fund riparian wildlife buffers on private
4.12land. Up to $120,000 is for establishing
4.13a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
4.14approved in the accomplishment plan and
4.15subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
4.1697A.056, subdivision 17. Easements funded
4.17under this appropriation are not subject to
4.18emergency haying and grazing orders. A list
4.19of permanent conservation easements must
4.20be provided as part of the final report.
| 4.21 4.22 |
(f) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex - Phase III |
||||||
4.24commissioner of natural resources for an
4.25agreement with Trust for Public Land to
4.26acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River
4.27watershed for wildlife management purposes
4.28under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
4.29subdivision 8, or aquatic management area
4.30purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections
4.3186A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of
4.32proposed land acquisitions must be provided
4.33as part of the required accomplishment plan.
| 4.34 4.35 |
(g) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase V |
||||||
5.2commissioner of natural resources to
5.3accelerate the restoration and enhancement
5.4of wildlife management areas, scientific
5.5and natural areas, and land under native
5.6prairie bank easements. A list of proposed
5.7land restorations and enhancements
5.8must be provided as part of the required
5.9accomplishment plan.
| 5.10 |
Subd. 3.Forests |
7,130,000 |
-0- |
||||
| 5.11 |
(a) Young Forest Conservation |
||||||
5.13commissioner of natural resources for
5.14an agreement with the American Bird
5.15Conservancy to acquire lands in fee to be
5.16added to the wildlife management area system
5.17under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
5.18subdivision 8, and to restore and enhance
5.19habitat on publicly protected land. A list of
5.20proposed land acquisitions must be provided
5.21as part of the required accomplishment plan.
| 5.22 |
(b) Camp Ripley Partnership - Phase III |
||||||
5.24Water and Soil Resources and $300,000 in
5.25the first year is to the Department of Natural
5.26Resources to acquire land in fee to be added
5.27to the wildlife management area system
5.28under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
5.29subdivision 8, and to acquire permanent
5.30conservation easements on lands adjacent
5.31to the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers
5.32and within the boundaries of the Minnesota
5.33National Guard Army Compatible Use
5.34Buffer. Of the amount appropriated to the
5.35Board of Water and Soil Resources, $49,900
6.1is for a grant to the Morrison County Soil
6.2and Water Conservation District and up to
6.3$33,600 is for establishing a monitoring
6.4and enforcement fund, as approved in
6.5the accomplishment plan and subject to
6.6Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
6.7subdivision 17. A list of proposed land
6.8acquisitions and permanent conservation
6.9easements must be provided as part of the
6.10required accomplishment plan.
| 6.11 6.12 |
(c) Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Program - Phase IV |
||||||
6.14commissioner of natural resources for
6.15an agreement with Pheasants Forever in
6.16cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed
6.17Grouse Society to acquire and enhance
6.18lands in Aitkin, Carlton, and Kanabec
6.19Counties for wildlife management purposes
6.20under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
6.21subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
6.22acquisitions must be provided as part of the
6.23required accomplishment plan.
| 6.24 6.25 |
(d) Protect Key Forest Habitat Lands in Cass County - Phase IV |
||||||
6.27commissioner of natural resources for an
6.28agreement with Cass County to acquire land
6.29in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife
6.30habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation.
6.31A list of proposed land acquisitions
6.32must be provided as part of the required
6.33accomplishment plan.
| 6.34 6.35 |
(e) Critical Shoreline Habitat Protection Program - Phase II |
||||||
7.2commissioner of natural resources for
7.3an agreement with the Minnesota Land
7.4Trust to acquire permanent conservation
7.5easements along rivers and lakes in the
7.6northern forest region. Up to $160,000 is for
7.7establishing a monitoring and enforcement
7.8fund, as approved in the accomplishment
7.9plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
7.10section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of
7.11proposed permanent conservation easements
7.12must be provided as part of the required
7.13accomplishment plan.
| 7.14 7.15 |
(f) Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative - Phase II |
||||||
7.17commissioner of natural resources for an
7.18agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters
7.19Association to restore and enhance public
7.20forest lands in the northern forest region
7.21for moose habitat purposes. A list of
7.22proposed land restoration and enhancements
7.23must be provided as part of the required
7.24accomplishment plan.
| 7.25 |
Subd. 4.Wetlands |
31,150,000 |
-0- |
||||
| 7.26 7.27 |
(a) Reinvest in Minnesota Wetlands Reserve Program Partnership - Phase V |
||||||
7.29of Soil and Water Resources to acquire
7.30permanent conservation easements and
7.31restore wetlands and associated upland
7.32habitat in cooperation with the United
7.33States Department of Agriculture Wetlands
7.34Reserve Program and Ducks Unlimited,
7.35including $1,000,000 for an agreement
7.36with Ducks Unlimited to provide technical
8.1and bioengineering assistance. Up to
8.2$120,000 is for establishing a monitoring
8.3and enforcement fund, as approved in
8.4the accomplishment plan and subject to
8.5Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
8.6subdivision 17. A list of permanent
8.7conservation easements must be provided as
8.8part of the final report.
| 8.9 8.10 |
(b) Accelerating Waterfowl Production Area Acquisition - Phase V |
||||||
8.12commissioner of natural resources for an
8.13agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
8.14land in fee to be designated and managed as
8.15waterfowl production areas in Minnesota,
8.16in cooperation with the United States Fish
8.17and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land
8.18acquisitions must be provided as part of the
8.19required accomplishment plan.
| 8.20 8.21 |
(c) Living Shallow Lakes and Wetland Initiative - Phase III |
||||||
8.23commissioner of natural resources for an
8.24agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire
8.25land in fee for wildlife management purposes
8.26under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
8.27subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
8.28acquisitions must be provided as part of the
8.29required accomplishment plan.
| 8.30 8.31 |
(d) Wild Rice Shoreland Protection Program - Phase II |
||||||
8.33of Water and Soil Resources to acquire
8.34in fee wild rice lake shoreland habitat
8.35for native wild rice bed protection and to
8.36acquire permanent conservation easements
9.1in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited. Of
9.2this amount, $100,000 is for an agreement
9.3with Ducks Unlimited for acquisition of land
9.4or interests in land to protect native wild
9.5rice beds. Up to $48,000 is for establishing
9.6a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
9.7approved in the accomplishment plan and
9.8subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
9.997A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed
9.10land acquisitions must be included as part of
9.11the required accomplishment plan.
| 9.12 |
(e) Wetland Habitat Program |
||||||
9.14commissioner of natural resources for an
9.15agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust to
9.16acquire permanent conservation easements
9.17in high-priority wetland complexes in
9.18the prairie and forest/prairie transition
9.19regions. Up to $280,000 is for establishing
9.20a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
9.21approved in the accomplishment plan and
9.22subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
9.2397A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed
9.24land acquisitions must be included as part of
9.25the required accomplishment plan.
| 9.26 9.27 |
(f) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement - Phase V |
||||||
9.29commissioner of natural resources to
9.30enhance and restore shallow lakes, including
9.31$210,000 for an agreement with Ducks
9.32Unlimited to help implement restorations
9.33and enhancements. A list of proposed
9.34land restorations and enhancements
10.1must be provided as part of the required
10.2accomplishment plan.
| 10.3 |
(g) Pelican Lake Enhancement |
||||||
10.5commissioner of natural resources for an
10.6agreement with Ducks Unlimited to construct
10.7a gravity outlet, water control structure, and
10.8pump station lift to enhance aquatic habitat
10.9in Pelican Lake in Wright County. A list of
10.10proposed land restoration and enhancements
10.11must be included as part of the required
10.12accomplishment plan.
| 10.13 |
Subd. 5.Habitats |
30,383,000 |
-0- |
||||
| 10.14 |
(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase V |
||||||
10.16commissioner of natural resources to
10.17acquire interests in land in fee for aquatic
10.18management purposes under Minnesota
10.19Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14,
10.20and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance
10.21aquatic habitat. A list of proposed
10.22land acquisitions and restorations and
10.23enhancements must be provided as part of
10.24the required accomplishment plan.
| 10.25 10.26 |
(b) Habitat Protection in Dakota County - Phase IV |
||||||
10.28commissioner of natural resources for an
10.29agreement with Dakota County to acquire,
10.30restore, and enhance lands in Dakota County
10.31for fish and wildlife management purposes
10.32under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
10.33subdivision 8, or aquatic management area
10.34purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections
10.3586A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, and to
11.1acquire permanent conservation easements
11.2and restore and enhance habitats in rivers
11.3and lake watersheds in Dakota County. Up
11.4to $60,000 is for establishing a monitoring
11.5and enforcement fund, as approved in
11.6the accomplishment plan and subject to
11.7Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
11.8subdivision 17. A list of proposed land
11.9acquisitions and permanent conservation
11.10easements must be provided as part of the
11.11required accomplishment plan.
| 11.12 |
(c) Root River Protection and Restoration |
||||||
11.14commissioner of natural resources for
11.15agreements to acquire land in fee for
11.16scientific and natural areas under Minnesota
11.17Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 5, and
11.18for state forest purposes under Minnesota
11.19Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7,
11.20and to acquire permanent conservation
11.21easements as follows: $2,122,000 to The
11.22Nature Conservancy and $628,000 to the
11.23Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $100,000 is for
11.24establishing a monitoring and enforcement
11.25fund, as approved in the accomplishment
11.26plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
11.27section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list
11.28of proposed acquisitions and permanent
11.29conservation easements must be provided as
11.30part of the required accomplishment plan.
| 11.31 |
(d) Metro Big Rivers Habitat - Phase IV |
||||||
11.33commissioner of natural resources for
11.34agreements to acquire land in fee and as
11.35permanent conservation easements and
12.1to restore and enhance natural systems
12.2associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
12.3and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $450,000
12.4to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife
12.5Refuge Trust, Inc.; $160,000 to the Friends
12.6of the Mississippi; $210,000 to the Great
12.7River Greening; $450,000 to the Minnesota
12.8Land Trust; and $450,000 to the Trust
12.9for Public Land. Up to $80,000 is for
12.10establishing a monitoring and enforcement
12.11fund, as approved in the accomplishment
12.12plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
12.13section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of
12.14proposed land acquisitions and permanent
12.15conservation easements must be provided as
12.16part of the required accomplishment plan.
| 12.17 |
(e) Minnesota Landscape Arboretum |
||||||
12.19of Regents of the University of Minnesota
12.20to acquire land in fee surrounding Lake
12.21Tamarack in Carver County to be added to
12.22the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. A land
12.23description must be provided as part of the
12.24required accomplishment plan.
| 12.25 12.26 |
(f) Lower Mississippi River Habitat Partnership - Phase III |
||||||
12.28commissioner of natural resources to
12.29enhance aquatic habitat. Of this amount,
12.30$450,000 is for an agreement with the
12.31United States Fish and Wildlife Service
12.32to enhance aquatic habitat in the lower
12.33Mississippi River watershed. A list of
12.34proposed land restorations and enhancements
13.1must be provided as part of the required
13.2accomplishment plan.
| 13.3 13.4 |
(g) Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement - Phase V |
||||||
13.6commissioner of natural resources for an
13.7agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
13.8to restore and enhance coldwater river and
13.9stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of
13.10proposed land restorations and enhancements
13.11must be provided as part of the required
13.12accomplishment plan.
| 13.13 13.14 |
(h) Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive Species Control Structure - Phase III |
||||||
13.16commissioner of natural resources for
13.17an agreement with the Shell Rock River
13.18Watershed District to construct structural
13.19deterrents and lake level controls to enhance
13.20aquatic habitat on Albert Lea Lake in
13.21Freeborn County. A list of proposed
13.22land restorations and enhancements
13.23must be provided as part of the required
13.24accomplishment plan.
| 13.25 13.26 |
(i) Metropolitan Regional Parks Wildlife Habitat Protection and Restoration |
||||||
13.28Metropolitan Council to restore and enhance
13.29fish and wildlife habitat in forests, prairies,
13.30and wetlands in the metropolitan regional
13.31parks system. Of this amount:
13.32(1) $500,000 is for Dakota County to convert
13.33existing agricultural land and low-quality
13.34woods and grassland in Whitetail Woods
13.35Regional Park to prairie and oak savanna
14.1centered around an existing wetland,
14.2resulting in substantial habitat improvements
14.3for waterfowl and other wildlife;
14.4(2) $60,000 is for Dakota County to protect
14.5and enhance Miesville Ravine Park Reserve
14.6through earth shaping, slope stabilization,
14.7and perhaps piping of one severe gully
14.8erosion situation and other eroding sites that
14.9are presently contributing sediment to Trout
14.10Brook, impairing water quality and the brook
14.11trout population;
14.12(3) $500,000 is for the city of St. Paul
14.13to restore two acres of prairie adjacent to
14.14Pickerel Lake and to plant and enhance
14.15an additional two acres of prairie, five
14.16acres of forest, and one acre of wetland in
14.17Lilydale Regional Park. This will enhance
14.18connectivity of existing natural resources
14.19including floodplain forest, upland prairie,
14.20and emergent marsh;
14.21(4) $915,000 is for the Minneapolis Park and
14.22Recreation Board to protect, restore, and
14.23enhance shorelines; reduce invasive upland
14.24species; and repair erosion and unpaved
14.25walking paths at Sweeney and Twin Lakes
14.26and to enhance the Wirth Lake wetland
14.27complex; reduce invasive upland species;
14.28correct erosion problems; close unauthorized
14.29trails; and repair unpaved walking paths in
14.30Theodore Wirth Regional Park;
14.31(5) $468,000 is for Ramsey County to restore
14.3272 acres in Battle Creek Regional Park along
14.33the bluff of the Mississippi River, including
14.34restoration and enhancement of prairie,
14.35savanna, oak woods, and shrub swamp seeps
15.1to improve waterfowl and upland game bird
15.2feeding and nesting habitats;
15.3(6) $210,000 is for the Three Rivers Park
15.4District to restore the water quality and
15.5game fish habitat in Lake Independence in
15.6Barker Park Reserve by reducing phosphorus
15.7loading from Spurzem and Half Moon Lakes
15.8through treatment with aluminum sulfate;
15.9(7) $400,000 is for the Three Rivers Park
15.10District to enhance and restore the quality
15.11of Cleary Lake and restore the fishery by
15.12controlling curly-leaf pondweed, reducing
15.13phosphorus runoff from the watershed, and
15.14controlling internal phosphorus cycling with
15.15aluminum sulfate;
15.16(8) $200,000 is for Carver County to restore
15.17and enhance Lake Minnewashta Regional
15.18Park by converting 37 acres of existing
15.19turf or old fields to native prairie and oak
15.20savanna. These areas are identified in the
15.21park master plan as medium to high potential
15.22sites for restoration;
15.23(9) $270,000 is for Anoka County to
15.24restore and enhance 120 acres of prairie
15.25and woodland habitat within the 273-acre
15.26Mississippi West Regional Park. Outcomes
15.27will include increased habitat for game and
15.28nongame species and benefits to migratory
15.29waterfowl on the Mississippi flyway;
15.30(10) $200,000 is for Anoka County to
15.31restore 45 acres of prairie and oak savanna
15.32and remove invasive species from 40
15.33acres of riparian forest land at Rum River
15.34Central Regional Park. The restoration
15.35will benefit the adjacent 550-acre Cedar
16.1Creek Conservation Area, which is open to
16.2hunting and was funded through a recent
16.3appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund;
16.4(11) $338,000 is for Scott County to restore
16.5and enhance 150 acres within the 1,150-acre
16.6conservation-focused Doyle-Kennefick
16.7Regional Park. The project site is part of an
16.8850-acre mosaic of natural lands including
16.9Minnesota County Biological Survey forest
16.10and some of the highest-quality wetlands in
16.11Scott County. The park master plan identifies
16.12this natural complex to be conserved for
16.13habitat and biological diversity with very
16.14light recreational development;
16.15(12) $37,000 is for Scott County to restore
16.16and enhance Cedar Lake Farm Regional
16.17Park by partnering with the Cedar Lake
16.18Improvement District and Scott Watershed
16.19Management Organization for four years of
16.20treatment to control the curly-leaf pondweed
16.21infestation dominating Cedar Lake. The
16.22goal is to restore 700 acres of shallow lake,
16.23improve fishing opportunities, and increase
16.24native aquatic plant habitat;
16.25(13) $1,523,000 is for Scott County to
16.26restore and enhance 302 acres of contiguous
16.27forest, wetlands, and lakeshore in Spring
16.28Lake Regional Park by improving habitat
16.29for interior forest birds, waterfowl, and
16.30amphibians. Adjacent to Upper Prior, Spring,
16.31and Arctic Lakes, this site is part of a larger
16.32permanent habitat network;
16.33(14) $425,000 is for Washington County to
16.34restore and enhance Lake Elmo Park Reserve
16.35by creating 168 acres of interconnected
17.1tallgrass prairie through the restoration of 12
17.2wetland basins that are scattered throughout
17.3an existing tallgrass prairie complex. These
17.4diverse landscapes provide critical habitat for
17.5native ground-nesting birds; and
17.6(15) $350,000 is for Washington County to
17.7restore and enhance rare and unique forest
17.8communities identified by the Department
17.9of Natural Resources in Lake Elmo Park
17.10Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.
17.11These forests provide exceptional habitat
17.12for native and migrating bird species and
17.13represent some of the best opportunities for
17.14avian habitat improvement in Washington
17.15County.
17.16Funded projects must implement priority
17.17natural resource management plan
17.18components of regional park master plans
17.19approved by the Metropolitan Council.
| 17.20 17.21 |
(j) Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grant Program - Phase V |
||||||
17.23commissioner of natural resources for a
17.24program to provide competitive, matching
17.25grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional,
17.26state, and national organizations for
17.27enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests,
17.28wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game,
17.29or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not
17.30be made for activities required to fulfill
17.31the duties of owners of lands subject to
17.32conservation easements. Grants shall not be
17.33made from appropriations in this paragraph
17.34for projects that have a total project cost
17.35exceeding $575,000. Of this appropriation,
17.36$366,000 may be spent for personnel costs
18.1and other direct and necessary administrative
18.2costs, and $10,000 is for outreach efforts to
18.3encourage underrepresented communities
18.4to apply for grants under this paragraph.
18.5Grantees may acquire land or interests in
18.6land. Easements must be permanent. Land
18.7acquired in fee must be open to hunting
18.8and fishing during the open season unless
18.9otherwise provided by state law. The program
18.10shall require a cash match of at least ten
18.11percent from nonstate sources for all grants.
18.12For grant applications of $25,000 or less,
18.13the commissioner shall provide a separate,
18.14simplified application process. Subject to
18.15Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of
18.16natural resources shall, when evaluating
18.17projects of equal value, give priority to
18.18organizations that have a history of receiving
18.19or charter to receive private contributions
18.20for local conservation or habitat projects. If
18.21acquiring land or a conservation easement,
18.22priority shall be given to projects associated
18.23with existing wildlife management areas
18.24under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
18.25subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas
18.26under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033
18.27and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic
18.28management areas under Minnesota Statutes,
18.29sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02.
18.30All restoration or enhancement projects
18.31must be on land permanently protected by a
18.32conservation easement or public ownership
18.33or in public waters as defined in Minnesota
18.34Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision
18.3515. Priority shall be given to restoration
18.36and enhancement projects on public lands.
19.1Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
19.2subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded
19.3under this paragraph. This appropriation is
19.4available until June 30, 2017. No less than
19.5five percent of the amount of each grant
19.6must be held back from reimbursement until
19.7the grant recipient has completed a grant
19.8accomplishment report by the deadline and
19.9in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to
19.10the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
19.11The commissioner shall provide notice of
19.12the grant program in the game and fish law
19.13summaries that are prepared under Minnesota
19.14Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.
| 19.15 |
Subd. 6.Administration |
1,251,000 |
-0- |
||||
| 19.16 |
(a) Contract Management |
||||||
19.18commissioner of natural resources for
19.19contract management duties assigned in this
19.20section. The commissioner shall provide an
19.21accomplishment plan in the form specified by
19.22the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
19.23on the expenditure of this appropriation.
19.24The accomplishment plan must include
19.25a copy of the grant contract template
19.26and reimbursement manual. No money
19.27may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams
19.28Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the
19.29accomplishment plan.
| 19.30 |
(b) Legislative Coordinating Commission |
||||||
19.32Coordinating Commission for administrative
19.33expenses of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
19.34Heritage Council and for compensation and
19.35expense reimbursement of council members.
20.1Funds in this appropriation are available until
20.2June 30, 2015. Minnesota Statutes, section
20.316A.281, applies to this appropriation.
| 20.4 |
(c) Technical Evaluation Panel |
||||||
20.6commissioner of natural resources for a
20.7technical evaluation panel to conduct up to
20.8ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota
20.9Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.
| 20.10 20.11 20.12 |
(d) High-Priority Pre-Transaction Service Acceleration for Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council |
||||||
20.14commissioner of natural resources to provide
20.15land acquisition pre-transaction services
20.16including, but not limited to, appraisals,
20.17surveys, or title research for acquisition
20.18proposals under consideration by the
20.19Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. A
20.20list of activities must be included in the final
20.21accomplishment plan.
| 20.22 |
Subd. 7.Availability of Appropriation |
||||||
20.24not be spent on activities unless they are
20.25directly related to and necessary for a
20.26specific appropriation and are specified in
20.27the accomplishment plan approved by the
20.28Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
20.29Money appropriated in this section must
20.30not be spent on indirect costs or other
20.31institutional overhead charges that are not
20.32directly related to and necessary for a specific
20.33appropriation. Unless otherwise provided,
20.34the amounts in this section are available
20.35until June 30, 2016. For acquisition of real
21.1property, the amounts in this section are
21.2available until June 30, 2017, if a binding
21.3agreement with a landowner or purchase
21.4agreement is entered into by June 30, 2016,
21.5and closed no later than June 30, 2017. Funds
21.6for restoration or enhancement are available
21.7until June 30, 2018, or four years after
21.8acquisition, whichever is later, in order to
21.9complete initial restoration or enhancement
21.10work. If a project receives federal funds, the
21.11time period of the appropriation is extended
21.12to equal the availability of federal funding.
21.13Funds appropriated for fee title acquisition
21.14of land may be used to restore, enhance, and
21.15provide for public use of the land acquired
21.16with the appropriation. Public use facilities
21.17must have a minimal impact on habitat in
21.18acquired lands.
| 21.19 21.20 |
Subd. 8.Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures |
||||||
21.22be administered on a reimbursement basis
21.23unless otherwise provided in this section.
21.24Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
21.2516A.41, expenditures directly related
21.26to each appropriation's purpose made
21.27on or after July 1, 2013, or the date of
21.28accomplishment plan approval, whichever is
21.29later, are eligible for reimbursement unless
21.30otherwise provided in this section. For the
21.31purposes of administering appropriations
21.32and legislatively authorized agreements
21.33paid out of the outdoor heritage fund, an
21.34expense must be considered reimbursable
21.35by the administering agency when the
21.36recipient presents the agency with an invoice
22.1or binding agreement with the landowner
22.2and the recipient attests that the goods have
22.3been received or the landowner agreement
22.4is binding. Periodic reimbursement must
22.5be made upon receiving documentation that
22.6the items articulated in the accomplishment
22.7plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
22.8Heritage Council have been achieved,
22.9including partial achievements as evidenced
22.10by progress reports approved by the
22.11Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
22.12Reasonable amounts may be advanced to
22.13projects to accommodate cash flow needs,
22.14support future management of acquired
22.15lands, or match a federal share. The
22.16advances must be approved as part of the
22.17accomplishment plan. Capital equipment
22.18expenditures for specific items in excess of
22.19$10,000 must be itemized in and approved as
22.20part of the accomplishment plan.
| 22.21 |
Subd. 9.Mapping |
||||||
22.23in this section, as well as each recipient of
22.24a grant awarded pursuant to this section,
22.25must provide geographic information to
22.26the Department of Natural Resources for
22.27mapping any lands acquired in fee with
22.28funds appropriated in this section and open
22.29to public taking of fish and game. The
22.30commissioner of natural resources shall
22.31include the lands acquired in fee with
22.32money appropriated in this section on maps
22.33showing public recreation opportunities.
22.34Maps shall include information on and
22.35acknowledgement of the outdoor heritage
22.36fund, including a notation of any restrictions.
| 23.1 23.2 |
Subd. 10.Appropriations carryforward; fee title acquisition |
||||||
23.4following project is extended to July 1, 2015:
23.5Laws 2010, chapter 361, article 1, section
23.62, subdivision 5, paragraph (h), Washington
23.7County St. Croix River Land Protection, and
23.8the appropriation may be spent on acquisition
23.9of land in fee title to protect habitat associated
23.10with the St. Croix River Valley. A list of
23.11proposed acquisitions must be provided as
23.12part of the accomplishment plan.
| 23.13 |
Subd. 11.Conservation Corps Minnesota |
||||||
23.15under this section must give consideration
23.16to and make timely written contact with
23.17Conservation Corps Minnesota for possible
23.18use of the corps' services to contract for
23.19restoration and enhancement services. A
23.20copy of the written contact must be filed with
23.21the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
23.22within 15 days of execution.
23.23 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
23.24 Subd. 10. Restoration evaluations. The commissioner of natural resources and the
23.25Board of Water and Soil Resources may convene a technical evaluation panel comprised
23.26of five members, including one technical representative from the Board of Water and Soil
23.27Resources, one technical representative from the Department of Natural Resources, one
23.28technical expert from the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and
23.29Universities, and two representatives with expertise in the project being evaluated. The
23.30board and the commissioner may add a technical representative from a unit of federal or
23.31local government. The members of the technical evaluation panel may not be associated
23.32with the restoration, may vary depending upon the projects being reviewed, and shall
23.33avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Each year, the board and the commissioner may
23.34assign a coordinator to identify a sample of
24.1with outdoor heritage funding. The coordinator shall secure the restoration plans for the
24.2projects specified and direct the technical evaluation panel to evaluate the restorations
24.3relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration
24.4plan and, when applicable, to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
24.5establishment and enhancement guidelines. The coordinator shall summarize the findings
24.6of the panel and provide a report to the chair of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage
24.7Council and the chairs of the respective house of representatives and senate policy and
24.8finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and spending from the outdoor
24.9heritage fund. The report shall determine if the restorations are meeting planned goals,
24.10any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations
24.11on improving restorations. The report shall be focused on improving future restorations.
24.12Up to one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from the outdoor heritage fund may
24.13be used for restoration evaluations under this section.
24.14 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision
24.15to read:
24.16 Subd. 20. Acquisitions of lands or interest in lands; commissioner approval;
24.17appraisals. (a) A recipient of an appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund that
24.18acquires an interest in real property must receive written approval from the commissioner
24.19of natural resources prior to the acquisition, if the interest is acquired in whole or in part
24.20with the appropriation. Conservation easements to be held by the Board of Water and Soil
24.21Resources are not subject to commissioner approval under this section.
24.22(b) The commissioner shall approve acquisitions under this section only when the
24.23interest in real property:
24.24(1) is identified as a high priority by the commissioner and meets the objectives and
24.25criteria identified in the applicable acquisition plan for the intended management status
24.26of the property; or
24.27(2) is otherwise identified by the commissioner as a priority for state financing.
24.28 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision
24.29to read:
24.30 Subd. 21. Value assessment. Prior to acquiring an interest in real property with an
24.31appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund, a recipient of an appropriation must submit
24.32the most recent tax assessed value of the real property and the amount the recipient plans
24.33to offer for the interest in real property to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
24.34and the commissioner of natural resources.
