HF 400

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/07/2011 09:58am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; appropriating money for environment and natural
resources.

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

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the
environment and natural resources trust fund, or another named fund, and are available for
the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this
act mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2012. "The
second year" is fiscal year 2013. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013. The
appropriations in this act are onetime.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2012 new text end		new text begin 2013 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MINNESOTA RESOURCES new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriations new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 26,062,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 25,311,000 new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2012 new text end	new text begin 2013 new text end
new text begin Environment and natural resources trust fund new text end	new text begin 25,312,000 new text end	new text begin 25,311,000 new text end
new text begin State land and water conservation account (LAWCON) new text end	new text begin 750,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin Appropriations are available for two
years beginning July 1, 2011, unless
otherwise stated in the appropriation. Any
unencumbered balance remaining in the first
year does not cancel and is available for the
second year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Definitions new text end

new text begin (a) "Trust fund" means the Minnesota
environment and natural resources trust fund
referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section
116P.02, subdivision 6.
new text end

new text begin (b) "State land and water conservation
account (LAWCON)" means the state land
and water conservation account in the natural
resources fund referred to in Minnesota
Statutes, section 116P.14.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Natural Resource Data and Information new text end

new text begin 4,564,000 new text end

new text begin 6,396,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota County Biological Survey
new text end

new text begin $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000
the second year are from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for continuation of the Minnesota county
biological survey to provide a foundation
for conserving biological diversity by
systematically collecting, interpreting,
and delivering data on plant and animal
distribution and ecology, native plant
communities, and functional landscapes.
new text end

new text begin (b) County Geologic Atlases for
Sustainable Water Management
new text end

new text begin $900,000 the first year and $900,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
accelerate the production of county geologic
atlases to provide information essential to
sustainable management of ground water
resources by defining aquifer boundaries
and the connection of aquifers to the land
surface and surface water resources. Of
this appropriation, $600,000 each year is
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota for the Geologic Survey and
$300,000 each year is to the commissioner
of natural resources. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2015, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Completion of Statewide Digital Soil
Survey
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the Board of Water and Soil Resources
to accelerate the completion of county
soil survey mapping and Web-based data
delivery. The soil surveys must be done on a
cost-share basis with local and federal funds.
new text end

new text begin (d) Updating National Wetlands Inventory
for Minnesota - Phase III
new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
to continue the update of wetland inventory
maps for Minnesota. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2015, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas - Phase
III
new text end

new text begin $330,000 the second year is from the
trust fund for the continuation of the
statewide survey of Minnesota breeding
bird distribution and to create related
publications, including a book and online
atlas with distribution maps and breeding
status. Of this appropriation, $228,000 is to
the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the National Audubon
Society and $102,000 is to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota for
the Natural Resources Research Institute.
The atlas must be available for downloading
on the Internet free of charge. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2015, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (f) Golden Eagle Survey
new text end

new text begin $45,000 the first year and $45,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the National Eagle Center to
increase the understanding of golden eagles
in Minnesota through surveys and education.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (g) Determining Causes of Mortality in
Moose Populations
new text end

new text begin $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources to
determine specific causes of moose mortality
and population decline in Minnesota and
to develop specific management actions to
prevent further population decline. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (h) Canada Lynx Recovery Options
new text end

new text begin $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota for
the Natural Resources Research Institute to
assess Canada lynx recovery options.
new text end

new text begin (i) Conserving Prairie Plant Diversity and
Evaluating Local Adaptation
new text end

new text begin $262,000 the first year and $263,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to research and develop a
scientific basis for identifying adapted seed
sources for restoring prairie ecosystems and
to conserve the genetic diversity of plants
of the Minnesota tallgrass prairie. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (j) Prairie Management for Wildlife and
Bioenergy - Phase II
new text end

new text begin $475,000 the first year and $475,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to research and evaluate methods
of managing diverse working prairies for
wildlife and renewable bioenergy production.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (k) Evaluation of Biomass Harvesting
Impacts on Minnesota's Forests
new text end

new text begin $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to assess the impacts biomass
harvests for energy have on soil nutrients,
native forest vegetation, invasive species
spread, and long-term tree productivity within
Minnesota's forests. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2014, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (l) Change and Resilience in Boreal Forests
in Northern Minnesota
new text end

new text begin $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to assess the potential response
of northern Minnesota's boreal forests to
observed and predicted changes in climate
conditions and develop related management
guidelines and adaptation strategies. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (m) Information System for Wildlife and
Aquatic Management Areas
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to develop
an information system to facilitate improved
management of wildlife and fish habitat and
facilities. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2014, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (n) Strengthening Natural Resource
Management with LiDAR Training
new text end

new text begin $90,000 the first year and $90,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota to
provide workshops and Web-based training
and information on the use of LiDAR
elevation data in planning for and managing
natural resources.
new text end

new text begin (o) Measuring Conservation Practice
Outcomes
new text end

new text begin $170,000 the first year and $170,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the Board of Water and Soil Resources
to improve measurement of impacts of
conservation practices through refinement
of existing and development of new
pollution estimators and by providing local
government training.
new text end

new text begin (p) Conservation-Based Approach for
Assessing Public Drainage Benefits
new text end

new text begin $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources to develop an
alternative framework to assess drainage
benefits on public systems to enhance water
conservation. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2014, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (q) Mississippi River Central Minnesota
Conservation Planning
new text end

new text begin $87,000 the first year and $88,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Stearns County Soil and
Water Conservation District to develop
and adopt river protection strategies in
cooperation with local jurisdictions in
the communities of the 26 miles of the
Mississippi River between Benton and
Stearns Counties. This appropriation must
be matched by $175,000 of nonstate cash or
qualifying in-kind funds.
new text end

new text begin (r) Saint Croix Basin Conservation
Planning and Protection
new text end

new text begin $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the St. Croix River
Association to develop an interagency plan
to identify and prioritize critical areas for
project implementation to improve watershed
health. This appropriation must be matched
by $200,000 of nonstate cash or qualifying
in-kind funds. Up to $10,000 may be retained
by the Department of Natural Resources at
the request of the St. Croix River Association
to provide technical and mapping assistance.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (s) Brainerd Lakes Community-Based
Conservation and Recreation Planning
new text end

new text begin $135,000 the first year and $135,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Crow Wing County to
develop and implement community-based
conservation and recreational planning to
protect natural resources. This appropriation
is contingent on the commitment of
Crow Wing County to pursue adoption of
ordinances developed to protect the natural
resources and provide a $270,000 nonstate
match of cash or qualifying in-kind funds.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Land, Habitat, and Recreation new text end

new text begin 16,236,000 new text end

new text begin 13,649,000 new text end

new text begin Summary by Fund new text end
new text begin Environment and natural resources trust fund new text end	new text begin 15,486,000 new text end	new text begin 13,649,000 new text end
new text begin State land and water conservation account (LAWCON) new text end	new text begin 750,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Lake Vermilion State Park
Development
new text end

new text begin $2,421,000 the first year and $579,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for initial
phases of development of Lake Vermilion
State Park. A master plan must be completed
and a specific list of proposed projects
and project elements must be provided to
the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources before any expenditure
of money appropriated in this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (b) State Parks and Trails Land
Acquisition
new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
state trails and critical parcels within the
statutory boundaries of state parks. State
park land acquired with this appropriation
must be sufficiently improved to meet at
least minimum management standards, as
determined by the commissioner of natural
resources. A list of proposed acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required work
program. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2014, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Metropolitan Regional Park System
Acquisition
new text end

new text begin $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000
the second year are from the trust fund to
the Metropolitan Council for grants for the
acquisition of lands within the approved park
unit boundaries of the metropolitan regional
park system. This appropriation may not
be used for the purchase of residential
structures. A list of proposed fee title and
easement acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required work program. This
appropriation must be matched by at least
40 percent of nonstate money and must be
committed by December 31, 2011, or the
appropriation cancels. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2014, at which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered, unless an earlier date is
specified in the work program.
new text end

new text begin (d) Regional Park, Trail, and Connection
Acquisition and Development Grants
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to provide
matching grants to local units of government
for acquisition and development of regional
parks, regional trails, and trail connections.
The local match required for a grant to
acquire a regional park or regional outdoor
recreation area is two dollars of nonstate
money for each three dollars of state money.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition
and Restoration
new text end

new text begin $1,640,000 the first year and $1,640,000
the second year are from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
to acquire lands with high-quality native
plant communities and rare features to be
established as scientific and natural areas
as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 5, restore parts of
scientific and natural areas, and provide
technical assistance and outreach. A list
of proposed acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required work program.
Land acquired with this appropriation
must be sufficiently improved to meet at
least minimum management standards, as
determined by the commissioner of natural
resources. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2014, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (f) LaSalle Lake Scientific and Natural
Area Acquisition
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Trust for Public Land
to acquire approximately 190 acres to be
designated as a scientific and natural area
as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 5, on LaSalle Lake
adjacent to the upper Mississippi River. If
this acquisition is not completed by July 15,
2012, then the appropriation is available to
the Department of Natural Resources for
other scientific and natural area acquisitions
on the priority list. Up to $10,000 may
be retained by the Department of Natural
Resources at the request of The Trust for
Public Land for transaction costs, associated
professional services, and restoration needs.
new text end

new text begin (g) Minnesota River Valley Green
Corridor Scientific and Natural Area
Acquisition
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the Redwood Area
Communities Foundation to acquire lands
with high-quality native plant communities
and rare features to be established as scientific
and natural areas as provided in Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. A list
of proposed acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required work program.
Land acquired with this appropriation
must be sufficiently improved to meet at
least minimum management standards, as
determined by the commissioner of natural
resources. Up to $54,000 may be retained by
the Department of Natural Resources at the
request of the Redwood Area Communities
Foundation for transaction costs, associated
professional services, and restoration needs.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (h) Native Prairie Stewardship and Native
Prairie Bank Acquisition
new text end

new text begin $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
native prairie bank easements, prepare
baseline property assessments, restore and
enhance native prairie sites, and provide
technical assistance to landowners. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (i) Metropolitan Conservation Corridors
(MeCC) - Phase VI
new text end

new text begin $1,737,000 the first year and $1,738,000
the second year are from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for the acceleration of agency programs
and cooperative agreements. Of this
appropriation, $150,000 the first year
and $150,000 the second year are to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agency programs and $3,175,000 is for the
agreements as follows: $100,000 the first
year and $100,000 the second year with
Friends of the Mississippi River; $517,000
the first year and $518,000 the second year
with Dakota County; $300,000 the first year
and $300,000 the second year with Great
River Greening; $220,000 the first year and
$220,000 the second year with Minnesota
Land Trust; $200,000 the first year and
$200,000 the second year with Minnesota
Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.;
and $250,000 the first year and $250,000
the second year with The Trust for Public
Land for planning, restoring, and protecting
priority natural areas in the metropolitan area,
as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section
473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the
surrounding counties, through contracted
services, technical assistance, conservation
easements, and fee title acquisition. Land
acquired with this appropriation must
be sufficiently improved to meet at least
minimum management standards, as
determined by the commissioner of natural
resources. Expenditures are limited to the
identified project corridor areas as defined
in the work program. This appropriation
may not be used for the purchase of
habitable residential structures, unless
expressly approved in the work program. All
conservation easements must be perpetual
and have a natural resource management
plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the
commissioner of natural resources with
money from this appropriation must be
designated as an outdoor recreation unit
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07.
The commissioner may similarly designate
any lands acquired in less than fee title. A
list of proposed restorations and fee title
and easement acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required work program. An
entity that acquires a conservation easement
with appropriations from the trust fund
must have a long-term stewardship plan
for the easement and a fund established for
monitoring and enforcing the agreement.
Money appropriated from the trust fund for
easement acquisition may be used to establish
a monitoring, management, and enforcement
fund as approved in the work program. An
annual financial report is required for any
monitoring, management, and enforcement
fund established, including expenditures
from the fund. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2014, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (j) Habitat Conservation Partnership
(HCP) - Phase VII
new text end

new text begin $1,737,000 the first year and $1,738,000
the second year are from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for the acceleration of agency programs
and cooperative agreements. Of this
appropriation, $125,000 the first year
and $125,000 the second year are to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agency programs and $3,225,000 is for
agreements as follows: $637,000 the first
year and $638,000 the second year with
Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; $38,000 the first year
and $37,000 the second year with Friends
of Detroit Lakes Wetland Management
District; $25,000 the first year and $25,000
the second year with Leech Lake Band of
Ojibwe; $225,000 the first year and $225,000
the second year with Minnesota Land Trust;
$200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
second year with Minnesota Valley National
Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $242,000 the
first year and $243,000 the second year
with Pheasants Forever, Inc.; and $245,000
the first year and $245,000 the second year
with The Trust for Public Land to plan,
restore, and acquire fragmented landscape
corridors that connect areas of quality habitat
to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants. The
United States Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
is an authorized cooperating partner in the
appropriation. Expenditures are limited to
the project corridor areas as defined in the
work program. Land acquired with this
appropriation must be sufficiently improved
to meet at least minimum habitat and facility
management standards, as determined by
the commissioner of natural resources.
This appropriation may not be used for the
purchase of habitable residential structures,
unless expressly approved in the work
program. All conservation easements must
be perpetual and have a natural resource
management plan. Any land acquired in fee
title by the commissioner of natural resources
with money from this appropriation must
be designated as an outdoor recreation unit
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07.
The commissioner may similarly designate
any lands acquired in less than fee title. A
list of proposed restorations and fee title
and easement acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required work program. An
entity who acquires a conservation easement
with appropriations from the trust fund
must have a long-term stewardship plan
for the easement and a fund established for
monitoring and enforcing the agreement.
Money appropriated from the trust fund for
easement acquisition may be used to establish
a monitoring, management, and enforcement
fund as approved in the work program. An
annual financial report is required for any
monitoring, management, and enforcement
fund established, including expenditures
from the fund. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2014, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (k) Natural and Scenic Area Acquisition
Grants
new text end

new text begin $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to provide
matching grants to local governments for
acquisition of natural and scenic areas, as
provided in Minnesota Statutes, section
85.019, subdivision 4a. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2014, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (l) Acceleration of Minnesota Conservation
Assistance
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Water and Soil Resources to provide
grants to soil and water conservation districts
to provide technical assistance to secure
enrollment and retention of private lands in
federal and state programs for conservation.
new text end

new text begin (m) Conservation Easement Stewardship
and Enforcement Program - Phase II
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources to
accelerate the implementation of the Phase
I Conservation Easement Stewardship Plan
being developed with an appropriation
from Laws 2008, chapter 367, section 2,
subdivision 5, paragraph (h).
new text end

new text begin (n) Gulf Oil Spill Impacts on Minnesota's
Migratory Bird Species
new text end

new text begin $125,000 the first year and $125,000
the second year are from the trust fund
to commissioner of natural resources in
cooperation with and for agreements with
the United States Geological Survey, the
University of Minnesota, and North Dakota
State University to assess the impact of the
Gulf oil spill on migratory populations of
common loons and American white pelicans
in Minnesota and share the information
with the public and for other related efforts.
Expenses for management of contracted
services incurred for this appropriation shall
be paid from subdivision 9, paragraph (b).
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (o) Recovery of At-Risk Native Prairie
Species
new text end

new text begin $73,000 the first year and $74,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources for an agreement
with the Martin County Soil and Water
Conservation District to collect, propagate,
and plant declining, at-risk native species
on protected habitat and to enhance private
market sources for local ecotype native seed.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (p) Controlling Encroachment of Woody
Vegetation in Grasslands
new text end

new text begin $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources to
evaluate treatments and identify the most
effective methods for controlling woody
vegetation in prairies and grasslands. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (q) Understanding Threats, Genetic
Diversity, and Conservation Options for
Wild Rice
new text end

new text begin $97,000 the first year and $98,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board
of Regents of the University of Minnesota
to research the genetic diversity of wild
rice population throughout Minnesota for
use in related conservation and restoration
efforts. This appropriation is contingent upon
demonstration of review and cooperation
with the Native American tribal nations
in Minnesota. Equipment purchased with
this appropriation must be available for
future publicly funded projects at no charge
except for typical operating expenses. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (r) Southeast Minnesota Stream
Restoration
new text end

new text begin $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore at
least four miles of riparian corridor for trout
and nongame species in southeast Minnesota
and increase local capacities to implement
stream restoration through training and
technical assistance. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2014, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (s) Restoration Strategies for Ditched
Peatland Scientific and Natural Areas
new text end

new text begin $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to evaluate
the hydrology and habitat of the Winter Road
Lake peatland watershed protection area to
determine the effects of ditch abandonment
and examine the potential for restoration
of patterned peatlands. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2014, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (t) Northeast Minnesota White Cedar
Plant Community Restoration
new text end

new text begin $125,000 for the first year and $125,000
the second year are from the trust fund to
the Board of Water and Soil Resources to
assess the decline of northern white cedar
plant communities in northeast Minnesota,
prioritize cedar sites for restoration, and
provide cedar restoration training to local
units of government.
new text end

new text begin (u) Restoring North Shore Forests
new text end

new text begin $31,000 the first year and $32,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Sugarloaf: The North
Shore Stewardship Association to provide
forest stewardship plans, training, and tree
planting assistance for Lake Superior coastal
landowners with property sizes less than 20
acres who are not eligible for other state
stewardship programs. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2014, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (v) Assessment of Tree Retention Forestry
Harvest Guidelines
new text end

new text begin $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board
of Regents of the University of Minnesota
for the Natural Resources Research Institute
to evaluate the effect of Minnesota's forest
management guidelines for tree retention
on wildlife populations. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2014, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (w) Land and Water Conservation Account
(LAWCON) Federal Reimbursement
new text end

new text begin $750,000 is from the state land and water
conservation account (LAWCON) in the
natural resources fund to the commissioner of
natural resources for priorities established by
the commissioner for eligible state projects
and administrative and planning activities
consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section
116P.14, and the federal Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2014, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Water Resources new text end

new text begin 1,675,000 new text end

new text begin 1,677,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Groundwater Sustainability
Assessment in I-94 Growth Corridor
new text end

new text begin $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of administration for the
Environmental Quality Board to assess
groundwater sustainability in the I-94 growth
corridor between the Twin Cities and Saint
Cloud and engage local communities in
understanding groundwater and how it is
impacted by land and water usage. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Lake Superior Water Quality
Monitoring
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the Large Lakes Observatory
for research of Lake Superior waters to
assess ecosystem health and water quality
in response to environmental stresses. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Assessment of Changes in Minnesota's
Wilderness Lakes
new text end

new text begin $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Croix
Watershed Research Station, to assess
recent ecological changes to remote lakes
and determine which types of remote
lakes are most at risk from observed and
predicted changes in climate conditions.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (d) Itasca County Sensitive Lakeshore
Identification
new text end

new text begin $80,000 the first year and $80,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Itasca County Soil and Water
Conservation District to identify sensitive
lakeshore and restorable shoreline in Itasca
County. Up to $130,000 may be retained by
the Department of Natural Resources at the
request of Itasca County to provide technical
assistance.
new text end

new text begin (e) Trout Stream Springshed Mapping in
Southeast Minnesota - Phase III
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
continue to identify and delineate water
supply areas and springsheds for springs
serving as cold water sources for trout
streams and to assess the impacts from
development and water appropriations. Of
this appropriation, $140,000 each year is to
the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota and $110,000 each year is to the
commissioner of natural resources.
new text end

new text begin (f) Mississippi River Water Quality
Assessment
new text end

new text begin $278,000 the first year and $279,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to assess water quality in the
Mississippi River using DNA sequencing
approaches and chemical analyses. The
assessments shall be incorporated into
a Web-based educational tool for use
in classrooms and public exhibits. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (g) Zumbro River Watershed Restoration
Prioritization
new text end

new text begin $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Zumbro Watershed
Partnership, Inc. to identify sources of
erosion and runoff in the Zumbro River
Watershed in order to prioritize restoration
and protection projects.
new text end

new text begin (h) Assessment of Minnesota River
Antibiotic Concentrations
new text end

new text begin $95,000 the first year and $95,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Saint Thomas University
in cooperation with Gustavus Adolphus
College and the University of Minnesota
to measure antibiotic concentrations and
antibiotic resistance levels at sites on the
Minnesota River.
new text end

new text begin (i) Determination of Phosphorus
Reduction from Perpetual Easements
new text end

new text begin $62,000 the first year and $63,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources in cooperation
with the United States Geologic Survey
to evaluate the effectiveness of perpetual
easements in reducing phosphorus transport
into streams.
new text end

new text begin (j) Wastewater Phosphorus Filtration
Using Recycled By-Products
new text end

new text begin $85,000 the first year and $85,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota for
the Natural Resources Research Institute to
evaluate the use of recycled iron by-products
and waste products for wastewater filtration
to remove phosphorus from surface water.
new text end

new text begin (k) Community-Based Reduction of Water
Contaminants
new text end

new text begin $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Institute for Agriculture
and Trade Policy to assist in helping local
governments in the identification and
implementation of green practices within
communities to reduce estrogenic chemical
water pollution.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species new text end

new text begin 605,000 new text end

new text begin 605,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Improved Detection of Harmful
Microbes in Ballast Water
new text end

new text begin $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the University of Minnesota
Duluth to identify and analyze potentially
harmful bacteria transported into Lake
Superior through ship ballast water
discharge. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2014, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol
Research and Implementation
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of agriculture to assess a
biocontrol method for suppressing emerald
ash borers by testing bioagent winter survival
potential, developing release and monitoring
methods, and piloting implementation
of emerald ash borer biocontrol. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Emerald Ash Borer Landscape
Management Impacts
new text end

new text begin $170,000 the first year and $170,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to research impacts of insecticides
used for managing emerald ash borers on
other insects and birds. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2014, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (d) Evaluation of Switchgrass as Biofuel
Crop
new text end

new text begin $60,000 the first year and $60,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities System for
Central Lakes College in cooperation with
the University of Minnesota to determine
the invasion risk of selectively bred
native grasses for biofuel production and
develop strategies to minimize the invasion
potential and impacts on biodiversity. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end new text begin Renewable Energy and Air Quality new text end

new text begin 925,000 new text end

new text begin 925,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Peatland Carbon Sequestration
new text end

new text begin $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources in
cooperation with the University of Minnesota
to measure carbon uptake and methane
release in healthy and altered peatlands
and develop strategies for landscape-level
peatland restoration and carbon sequestration
implementation. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2014, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Addressing Ozone Pollution in
Minnesota
new text end

new text begin $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to research ozone pollution and
exposure in Minnesota and examine the
effectiveness and environmental equality of
potential control options.
new text end

new text begin (c) Optimizing Biogas Role in Meeting
Minnesota's Energy Goals
new text end

new text begin $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Great Plains Institute
to evaluate market, technical, and policy
barriers to broader adoption of biogas in
meeting Minnesota's energy needs and
develop recommendations for overcoming
those barriers.
new text end

new text begin (d) Supporting Community-Driven
Sustainable Bioenergy Projects
new text end

new text begin $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Dovetail Partners,
Inc. in cooperation with the University of
Minnesota to assess feasibility, impacts,
and management needs of community-scale
forest bioenergy systems through pilot
studies in Ely and Cook County and to
disseminate findings to inform related efforts
in other communities.
new text end

new text begin (e) Low Environmental Impact
Sustainable Neighborhoods
new text end

new text begin $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to assess the feasibility and
conduct preliminary design for a replicable,
cost-effective neighborhood-scale district
system for energy, water, recycling, and
waste that optimizes conservation and
efficiency.
new text end

new text begin (f) Conservation Corps Training and
Low-Income Solar Home-Heating
Installation
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Conservation Corps
Minnesota in cooperation with the Rural
Renewable Energy Alliance to train corps
members for renewable energy jobs and
provide installation of solar heating systems
for low-income families. An energy budget
and cost savings calculation must be provided
and, to the extent possible, the solar panel
fabrication must be done in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Environmental Education new text end

new text begin 1,356,000 new text end

new text begin 1,358,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota Schools Conserving Energy
and Water
new text end

new text begin $412,000 the first year and $413,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency for technical assistance and grants
to high school student-led teams to integrate
long-term energy and water conservation
savings into daily school operations,
create model school-utility partnerships,
and develop student leadership. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Youth-Led Renewable Energy and
Energy Conservation in West Central and
Southwest Minnesota
new text end

new text begin $123,000 the first year and $123,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Prairie Woods
Environmental Learning Center to initiate
youth-led renewable energy and conservation
projects in over thirty communities in west
central and southwest Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (c) Minnesota Junior Master Naturalist
Program
new text end

new text begin $182,000 the first year and $183,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to expand the junior naturalist
after-school programs. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2014, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (d) Experiential Environmental Education
for Urban Youth
new text end

new text begin $354,000 the first year and $354,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Hennepin County in
partnership with The City, Inc. to initiate new
environmental education programs targeting
inner-city youth that provide hands-on,
experiential outdoor learning opportunities.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) Eagles Linking Students to Science and
Nature
new text end

new text begin $85,000 the first year and $85,000 the second
year are from the trust fund to the Board
of Regents of the University of Minnesota
for The Raptor Center to engage students
in exploring science and nature through
curriculum built on real-life case studies of
raptors treated at The Raptor Center and
eagles tracked for post-release monitoring.
new text end

new text begin (f) Cross-Cultural Cooperation in Fish
and Wildlife Conservation
new text end

new text begin $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources
to collaborate with the Southeast Asian
community on a tagging study and creel
survey of white bass and to develop
and implement cross-cultural training
and workshops on hunting and fishing
conservation regulations, ethics, and
management. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2014, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Administration and Contract Management new text end

new text begin 701,000 new text end

new text begin 701,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources (LCCMR)
new text end

new text begin $591,000 the first year and $591,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to the
LCCMR for administration as provided
in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09,
subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (b) Contract Management
new text end

new text begin $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the
second year are from the trust fund to
the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources to contract with the
commissioner of natural resources for
expenses incurred for contract fiscal services
for the agreements specified in this section.
The contract management services must
be done on a reimbursement basis. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2014, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Availability of Appropriations new text end

new text begin Money appropriated in this section may
not be spent on activities unless they are
directly related to the specific appropriation
and are specified in the approved work
program. Money appropriated in this section
must not be spent on indirect costs or other
institutional overhead charges. Unless
otherwise provided, the amounts in this
section are available until June 30, 2013,
when projects must be completed and final
products delivered. For acquisition of real
property, the amounts in this section are
available until June 30, 2014, if a binding
contract is entered into by June 30, 2013,
and closed not later than June 30, 2014. If
a project receives a federal grant, the time
period of the appropriation is extended to
equal the federal grant period.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end new text begin Data Availability Requirements new text end

new text begin Data collected by the projects funded under
this section must conform to guidelines and
standards adopted by the Office of Enterprise
Technology. Spatial data also must conform
to additional guidelines and standards
designed to support data coordination and
distribution that have been published by the
Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.
Descriptions of spatial data must be prepared
as specified in the state's geographic metadata
guideline and must be submitted to the
Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.
All data must be accessible and free to the
public unless made private under the Data
Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter
13.
new text end

new text begin To the extent practicable, summary data and
results of projects funded under this section
should be readily accessible on the Internet
and identified as an environment and natural
resources trust fund project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end new text begin Project Requirements new text end

new text begin (a) As a condition of accepting an
appropriation under this section, any agency
or entity receiving an appropriation or a
party to an agreement from an appropriation
must comply with paragraphs (b) to (l) and
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P, and must
submit a work program and semiannual
progress reports in the form determined
by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources for any project funded
in whole or in part with funds from the
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (b) To the extent possible, a person
conducting restoration with money
appropriated under this section must plant
vegetation only of ecotypes native to
Minnesota and preferably of the local
ecotype using a high diversity of species
originating as close to the restoration site as
possible and, when restoring prairies, protect
existing prairies from genetic contamination.
Use of seeds and plant materials beyond these
requirements must be expressly approved in
the work program.
new text end

new text begin (c) For all restorations conducted with money
appropriated under this section, a recipient
must prepare an ecological restoration
and management plan that, to the degree
practicable, is consistent with the highest
quality conservation and ecological goals for
the restoration site. Consideration should
be given to soil, geology, topography, and
other relevant factors that would provide
the best chance for long-term success of the
restoration projects. The plan must include
the proposed timetable for implementing
the restoration, including site preparation,
establishment of diverse plant species,
maintenance, and additional enhancement to
establish the restoration; identify long-term
maintenance and management needs of
the restoration and how the maintenance,
management, and enhancement will be
financed; and take advantage of the best
available science and include innovative
techniques to achieve the best restoration.
new text end

new text begin (d) Any entity receiving an appropriation in
this section for restoration activities must
provide an initial restoration evaluation
at the completion of the appropriation
and an evaluation three years beyond the
completion of the expenditure. Restorations
must be evaluated relative to the stated
goals and standards in the restoration plan,
current science, and, when applicable, the
Board of Water and Soil Resources' native
vegetation establishment and enhancement
guidelines. The evaluation shall determine
whether the restorations are meeting planned
goals, identify any problems with the
implementation of the restorations, and,
if necessary, give recommendations on
improving restorations. The evaluation shall
be focused on improving future restorations.
new text end

new text begin (e) Except as otherwise provided in this
section, all restoration and enhancement
projects funded with money appropriated in
this section must be on land permanently
protected by a conservation easement or
public ownership or in public waters as
defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
103G.005, subdivision 15.
new text end

new text begin (f) A recipient of money from an
appropriation under this section must
give consideration to contracting with
Conservation Corps Minnesota or its
successor for contract restoration and
enhancement services.
new text end

new text begin (g) All conservation easements acquired with
money appropriated under this section must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be perpetual;
new text end

new text begin (2) specify the parties to an easement in the
easement;
new text end

new text begin (3) specify all of the provisions of an
agreement that are perpetual;
new text end

new text begin (4) be sent to the Office of the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources in an electronic format;
new text end

new text begin (5) include a long-term monitoring and
enforcement plan and funding for monitoring
and enforcing the easement agreement; and
new text end

new text begin (6) include requirements in the easement
document to address specific water quality
protection activities such as keeping water
on the landscape, reducing nutrient and
contaminant loading, protecting groundwater,
and not permitting artificial hydrological
modifications.
new text end

new text begin (h) For any acquisition of land or interest in
land, a recipient of money appropriated under
this section must give priority to high quality
natural resources or conservation lands that
provide natural buffers to water resources.
new text end

new text begin (i) For new lands acquired with money
appropriated under this section, a recipient
must prepare a restoration and management
plan in compliance with paragraph
(c), including sufficient funding for
implementation unless the work program
addresses why a portion of the money is
not necessary to achieve a high quality
restoration.
new text end

new text begin (j) To the extent an appropriation is used to
acquire an interest in real property, a recipient
of an appropriation under this section must
provide to the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources and
the commissioner of management and budget
an analysis of increased operations and
maintenance costs likely to be incurred by
public entities as a result of the acquisition
and how these costs are to be paid.
new text end

new text begin (k) To ensure public accountability for the
use of public funds, a recipient of money
appropriated under this section must provide
to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources documentation of the
selection process used to identify parcels
acquired and provide documentation of all
related transaction costs, including but not
limited to appraisals, legal fees, recording
fees, commissions, other similar costs,
and donations. This information must be
provided for all parties involved in the
transaction. The recipient must also report
to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources any difference between
the acquisition amount paid to the seller
and the state-certified or state-reviewed
appraisal, if a state-certified or state-reviewed
appraisal was conducted. Acquisition data
such as appraisals may remain private
during negotiations but must ultimately
be made public according to Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 13. The Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources shall
review the requirement in this paragraph
and provide a recommendation on whether
to continue or modify the requirement in
future years. The commission may waive
the application of this paragraph for specific
projects.
new text end

new text begin (l) A recipient of an appropriation from
the trust fund under this section must
acknowledge financial support from the
Minnesota environment and natural resources
trust fund in project publications, signage,
and other public communications and
outreach related to work completed using the
appropriation. Acknowledgment may occur,
as appropriate, through use of the trust fund
logo or inclusion of language attributing
support from the trust fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end new text begin Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures new text end

new text begin All agreements, grants, or contracts referred
to in this section must be administered on
a reimbursement basis unless otherwise
provided in this section. Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.41,
expenditures made on or after July 1,
2011, or the date the work program is
approved, whichever is later, are eligible for
reimbursement unless otherwise provided
in this section. Periodic payment must
be made upon receiving documentation
that the deliverable items articulated in
the approved work program have been
achieved, including partial achievements
as evidenced by approved progress reports.
Reasonable amounts may be advanced to
projects to accommodate cash flow needs or
match federal money. The advances must
be approved as part of the work program.
No expenditures for capital equipment are
allowed unless expressly authorized in the
project work program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end new text begin Purchase of Recycled and Recyclable Materials new text end

new text begin A political subdivision, public or private
corporation, or other entity that receives an
appropriation under this section must use the
appropriation in compliance with Minnesota
Statutes, section 16B.121, regarding
purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable
materials; and Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.122, regarding purchase and use of
paper stock and printing.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end new text begin Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Guidelines new text end

new text begin A recipient to whom an appropriation is made
under this section for a capital improvement
project must ensure that the project complies
with the applicable energy conservation and
sustainable building guidelines and standards
contained in law, including Minnesota
Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and
216C.20, and rules adopted under those
sections. The recipient may use the energy
planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office
units of the Department of Commerce to
obtain information and technical assistance
on energy conservation and alternative
energy development relating to the planning
and construction of the capital improvement
project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end new text begin Accessibility new text end

new text begin Structural and nonstructural facilities must
meet the design standards in the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility
guidelines.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end new text begin Carryforward new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the appropriation for
the following projects is extended to June
30, 2012:
new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2008, chapter 367, section
2, subdivision 4, paragraph (f), Native
Shoreland Buffer Incentives Program;
new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2,
subdivision 4, paragraph (a), State Park
Acquisition;
new text end

new text begin (3) Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2,
subdivision 4, paragraph (b), State Trail
Acquisition; and
new text end

new text begin (4) Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2,
subdivision 8, paragraph (a), Contract
Management.
new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the appropriation for
the following project is extended to June
30, 2013: Laws 2010, chapter 362, section
2, subdivision 8, paragraph (f), Expanding
Outdoor Classrooms at Minnesota Schools.
new text end