HF 431

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 01/27/2017 11:19am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money for wetland replacement credits
for local government roads; authorizing the sale of general obligation bonds.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROADS; WETLAND REPLACEMENT
PROGRAM; WETLAND CREDIT ACQUISITION; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire wetland banking credits to replace those wetlands
drained or filled as a result of repairing, reconstructing, replacing, or rehabilitating existing
public roads as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222, subdivision 1, paragraph
(m). The board may vary the priority order of Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222,
subdivision 3, paragraph (a), to implement an in-lieu fee agreement approved by the United
States Army Corps of Engineers under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The purchase
price paid for acquiring wetland credits must be a fair market value as determined by the
board. The board may enter into agreements with the federal government, other state agencies,
political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, fee title owners, or other qualified private
entities to acquire wetland replacement credits in accordance with Minnesota Rules, chapter
8420.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROADS; WETLAND REPLACEMENT
PROGRAM; BONDS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $10,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds
fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire land or permanent easements and
to restore, create, enhance, and preserve wetlands to replace those wetlands drained or filled
as a result of repairing, reconstructing, replacing, or rehabilitating existing public roads as
required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222, subdivision 1, paragraph (m). The board
may vary the priority order of Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222, subdivision 3, paragraph
(a), to implement an in-lieu fee agreement approved by the United States Army Corps of
Engineers under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The purchase price paid for acquiring
land or perpetual easements must be a fair market value as determined by the board. The
board may enter into agreements with the federal government, other state agencies, political
subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, fee title owners, or other qualified private entities to
acquire wetland replacement credits in accordance with Minnesota Rules, chapter 8420.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in this section from the bond
proceeds fund, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue bonds of
the state in an amount up to $10,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with the effect
prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the Minnesota
Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
new text end