HF 1277

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/13/2013 11:36am

A bill for an act
relating to clean water; appropriating money for shoreland ordinance incentive
grants.

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

Section 1. new text begin SHORELAND ORDINANCE INCENTIVE GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2014 is appropriated from the clean water fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for grants to counties and other local units of
government that have adopted advanced shoreland protection measures. The grants
awarded under this section shall be for $100,000 and must be used to restore and enhance
riparian areas to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams.
To be eligible for a grant under this section, a county or other local unit of government
must have adopted an ordinance for the subdivision, use, and development of shoreland
that has been certified by the commissioner of natural resources as having advanced
shoreland protection measures as provided under paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) Prior to awarding grants under this section, the commissioner of natural resources
must certify that a grant applicant has adopted an ordinance with advanced shoreland
protection measures. The commissioner shall only certify that advanced shoreland
protection measures have been adopted when the county or local unit of government has
adopted an ordinance that meets or exceeds the following standards:
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new text begin (1) requires new sewage treatment systems to be set back at least 100 feet from the
ordinary high water level for recreational development shorelands and 75 feet for general
development lake shorelands;
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new text begin (2) requires new developments on shoreland to have at least a 50-foot vegetative
buffer. An access path and recreational use area may be allowed;
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new text begin (3) requires mitigation when any variance to standards designed to protect lakes,
rivers, and streams is granted;
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new text begin (4) requires best management practices to be used to control storm water and
sediment when 3,000 or more square feet are disturbed as part of a land alteration;
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new text begin (5) includes other criteria developed by the commissioner under paragraph (c); and
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new text begin (6) has been adopted by July 1, 2015.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner of natural resources may develop additional criteria for the
grants awarded under this section. In developing the criteria, the commissioner shall
consider the proposed changes to the department's shoreland rules discussed during
the rulemaking process authorized under Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 1, section 4,
subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (d) The appropriation in paragraph (a) is available until spent.
new text end