HF 2032

2nd Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 05/02/2019 08:52am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money from environment and natural
resources trust fund; modifying previous appropriations; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2018, section 116P.08, subdivision 2; Laws 2015, chapter 76, section 2,
subdivision 9, as amended; Laws 2017, chapter 96, section 2, subdivision 9.

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

Section 1. new text begin 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 "2020" and "2021" used in this act mean that the
appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, or
June 30, 2021, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2020. "The second year" is fiscal
year 2021. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
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 2019 new text end		new text begin 2020 new text end		new text begin 2021 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 Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 2,940,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 61,387,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions. Appropriations for fiscal year
2019 are available the day following final
enactment and are available until June 30,
2022, unless otherwise stated in the
appropriation. Appropriations in the first year
are available for three years beginning July 1,
2019, unless otherwise stated in the
appropriation. Any unencumbered balance
remaining in the first year does not cancel and
is available for the second year or until the
end of the appropriation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Definition new text end

new text begin "Trust fund" means the Minnesota
environment and natural resources trust fund
established under the Minnesota Constitution,
article XI, section 14.
new text end

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

new text begin 636,000 new text end

new text begin 9,918,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

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

new text begin $1,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
the Minnesota biological survey to complete
the statewide field surveys begun in 1987 to
provide a foundation for conserving biological
diversity by systematically collecting,
interpreting, and delivering data on native and
rare species, pollinators, and native plant
communities throughout Minnesota. Any
revenues generated through the publication of
books or other resources created through this
appropriation may be reinvested as described
in the work plan approved by the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources according to Minnesota Statutes,
section 116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (b) Restoring Native Mussels in Streams and Lakes new text end

new text begin $500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
restore native freshwater mussel assemblages,
and the ecosystem services they provide, in
the Mississippi, Cedar, and Cannon Rivers
and to inform the public on mussels and
mussel conservation. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2021, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Quantifying Exposure of Minnesota's Raptors to Mercury and PFAS new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Hawk Ridge Bird
Observatory to quantify the exposure and
health risk of two environmental neurotoxins
to Minnesota raptors.
new text end

new text begin (d) Minnesota Trumpeter Swan Migration Ecology and Conservation new text end

new text begin $300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to document the movement and
habitat use of Minnesota trumpeter swans to
provide foundational information necessary
for trumpeter swan management and
conservation. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2023, by which time the project
must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) Spruce Grouse as Indicators for Boreal Forest Connectivity new text end

new text begin $350,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the Raptor Center to evaluate
how to best harvest timber in the boreal forest
to enable wildlife with small home ranges,
such as spruce grouse, to thrive in a changing
landscape. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2023, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (f) Understanding Brainworm Transmission to Find Solutions for Minnesota Moose Decline new text end

new text begin $400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to identify key habitats and vectors
of brainworm transmission between deer and
moose that may be targeted by resource
management to mitigate moose exposure to
this deadly condition.
new text end

new text begin (g) Mapping Habitat Use and Disease of Urban Carnivores new text end

new text begin $500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to map habitat use and diseases of
urban foxes and coyotes, evaluate risks these
animals may pose to people and pets, and
generate information needed to reduce
human-wildlife conflicts.
new text end

new text begin (h) Accelerated Aggregate Resource Mapping new text end

new text begin $700,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
map the aggregate resource potential for four
counties and make this information available
in print and electronic format to local units of
government for use in planning and zoning.
new text end

new text begin (i) Den Boxes for Fishers and Other Nesting Wildlife new text end

new text begin $190,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research
Institute in Duluth to build, install, and
evaluate den boxes as habitat enhancement
for fishers and other cavity-nesting wildlife in
managed forests where a lack of large trees
may be threatening population survival. The
final outcome for the project must include
guidelines and best practices for use of den
boxes for fisher habitat.
new text end

new text begin (j) Red-Headed Woodpeckers as Indicators of Oak Savanna Health new text end

new text begin $171,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to evaluate red-headed woodpecker
survival and habitat needs and to use this data
to develop and disseminate a long-term oak
savanna management plan that supports
red-headed woodpeckers and other oak
savanna habitat-dependent species.
new text end

new text begin (k) Implementing Conservation Plans for Avian Species of Concern new text end

new text begin $124,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the National Audubon
Society, Minnesota office, to establish
benchmark survey sites for implementing and
tracking outcomes of collaborative restoration
and enhancement activities within Important
Bird Areas for three bird species of
conservation concern.
new text end

new text begin (l) Mapping Aquatic Habitats for Moose new text end

new text begin $199,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to determine key water habitats
used by moose in northern forested regions of
Minnesota, measure the effects of moose
foraging on aquatic plant and fish diversity,
and provide educational programming
materials for the public.
new text end

new text begin (m) Improving Statewide GIS Data by Restoring the Public Land Survey new text end

new text begin $135,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Minnesota Association
of County Surveyors to conduct a pilot project
with Grant County to remonument and certify
the public land survey corners in Lawrence
Township. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2021, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (n) County Geologic Atlases - Part A, Mapping Geology new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota, Minnesota Geological Survey, to
continue producing county geologic atlases to
inform management of surface water and
groundwater resources. This appropriation is
to complete Part A, which focuses on the
properties and distribution of earth materials
to define aquifer boundaries and the
connection of aquifers to the land surface and
surface water resources.
new text end

new text begin (o) County Geologic Atlases - Part B, Mapping Aquifer Hydrology new text end

new text begin $2,400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
continue producing county geologic atlases to
inform management of surface water and
groundwater resources for drinking water and
other purposes. This appropriation is for Part
B, which uses the geologic formations mapped
in Part A of the county geologic atlases to
characterize the potential water yields of
aquifers and the aquifers' sensitivity to
contamination.
new text end

new text begin (p) Unlocking Science of Minnesota's Moose Decline new text end

new text begin $199,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Minnesota Zoological Garden to
develop educational displays, interactive
exhibits, and engaging online programs that
summarize and share scientific findings about
moose decline in Minnesota. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2021,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (q) Native Bee Survey new text end

new text begin $636,000 in fiscal year 2019 is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
to continue to assess the current status and
distribution of native bee pollinators in
Minnesota by expanding surveys into the
coniferous-deciduous forest region of
Minnesota and facilitating interagency
collaboration and public outreach on
pollinators.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Water Resources new text end

new text begin 5,066,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Determining Influence of Insecticides on Algal Blooms new text end

new text begin $350,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to quantify the occurrence of
neonicotinoid insecticides in Minnesota's
surface waters and groundwaters and assess
if the insecticides are contributing to the
formation of algal blooms.
new text end

new text begin (b) Benign Design: Environmental Studies Leading to Sustainable Pharmaceuticals new text end

new text begin $415,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to determine how to best remove
harmful fluorinated pharmaceuticals during
wastewater treatment and to develop alternate
versions of these compounds that are
medically useful but environmentally
harmless. This appropriation is subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (c) Wastewater Nutrient Reduction through Industrial Source Reduction Assistance new text end

new text begin $200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to provide technical assistance for
industrial facilities to optimize their processes,
reduce nutrient loads to wastewater treatment
facilities, and improve water quality. The
economic savings and water quality
improvements achieved through this work
must be documented.
new text end

new text begin (d) Quantifying Microplastics in Minnesota's Inland Lakes new text end

new text begin $200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research
Institute in Duluth to quantify the amount,
type, and source of microplastics in the water,
sediment, and fishes of a range of Minnesota
lakes.
new text end

new text begin (e) Improving Nitrogen Removal in Greater Minnesota Wastewater Treatment Ponds new text end

new text begin $325,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to assess cold weather nitrogen
cycling and different aeration methods to
improve the efficacy of Minnesota's
underperforming wastewater treatment ponds.
new text end

new text begin (f) Improving Drinking Water for Minnesotans through Pollution Prevention new text end

new text begin $345,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to reduce exposure of Minnesotans
to a toxic, cancer-causing chemical by
identifying key pollutant precursor sources in
the upper Mississippi River watershed and
assessing options to reduce the formation of
this chemical during drinking water treatment.
new text end

new text begin (g) Protecting Minnesota Waters by Removing Contaminants from Wastewater new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to develop methods for treatment
plants to remove harmful polyfluoroalkyl
substances and microplastics from wastewater
before the wastewater is released to the
environment. This appropriation is subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (h) Reducing Municipal Wastewater Mercury Pollution to Lake Superior new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency to evaluate and
summarize current technologies to help
municipal wastewater plants in the Lake
Superior basin save money and reduce
mercury pollution to Lake Superior and other
Minnesota waters.
new text end

new text begin (i) Extracting Deicing Salt from Roadside Soils with Plants new text end

new text begin $360,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to collaborate with the Department
of Transportation to evaluate potential native
plants that can be grown on roadsides to
adsorb and remove toxic salts accumulated
from deicing roads and assess uses for the
harvested material.
new text end

new text begin (j) Transformation of Plastic Waste into Valued Resource new text end

new text begin $225,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to develop technologies that use
microbes to convert plastic waste into useful
chemical compounds and fuels, lowering the
likelihood that these materials end up in the
environment. This appropriation is subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (k) Accelerating Perennial Crop Production to Prevent Nitrate Leaching new text end

new text begin $440,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Stearns County Soil
and Water Conservation District to reduce
nitrate leaching on sandy soils of central
Minnesota by developing water-efficient
production methods, supply chains, and
end-use markets for three perennial crops:
Kernza, prairie species, and alfalfa. Net
income from the sale of products or assets
developed or acquired through this project
may be reinvested as described in the work
plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources
according to Minnesota Statutes, section
116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (l) Farm-Ready Cover Crops for Protecting Water Quality new text end

new text begin $741,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities System for Central Lakes College
to demonstrate conservation benefits of using
camelina and kura clover as continuous living
cover with corn-soybean rotations and to
develop secondary markets to increase farmer
adoption of this practice for protecting water
quality in vulnerable wellhead protection
areas. This appropriation is subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (m) Setting Realistic Nitrate Reduction Goals in Southeast Minnesota new text end

new text begin $350,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to develop advanced water-flow
and age-dating tools to improve the ability of
state agencies to assess how well nitrate
reduction best management practices are
working in southeastern Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (n) Mapping Unprofitable Cropland for Water and Wildlife new text end

new text begin $100,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Science Museum of Minnesota for the
St. Croix Watershed Research Station to
conduct the first statewide analysis that maps
the extent of Minnesota's unprofitable
cropland and estimates both the water-quality
and habitat benefits of converting these lands
to perennial crops and vegetation. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2021,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (o) Evaluating Locally Sourced Materials for Road Salt Reduction new text end

new text begin $162,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research
Institute in Duluth to evaluate the effectiveness
and benefits of using locally sourced wood
chips, corncobs, and iron-bearing minerals as
alternative abrasive materials to lower salt use
for protecting Minnesota's water resources.
This appropriation is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2021, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (p) Minnesota Spring Inventory Final Phase new text end

new text begin $71,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources to
complete the Minnesota Spring Inventory that
identifies, catalogs, and assists resource
managers in monitoring, assessing, and
protecting important and threatened statewide
water springs. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2021, by which time the project
must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (q) Restoring Impaired Lakes through Citizen-Aided Carp Management new text end

new text begin $106,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Carver County Water
Management Organization to quantify water
quality improvements and the
cost-effectiveness of a new citizen-aided carp
management method for restoring impaired
lakes in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (r) Spring Biological Nitrate Removal to Protect Drinking Water new text end

new text begin $175,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Fairmont to
build and demonstrate the effectiveness of an
experimental passive biological treatment
system to reduce nitrates that enter the city's
springtime water supply source.
new text end

new text begin (s) Degrading Chlorinated Industrial Contaminants with Bacteria new text end

new text begin $1,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to determine the best way to
stimulate bacteria to more quickly and
completely remove industrial chlorinated
pollutants from contaminated sites. On the day
following final enactment, the following
amounts from unobligated appropriations to
the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota are transferred and added to this
appropriation: $75,000 in Laws 2016, chapter
186, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (l),
and $74,000 in Laws 2016, chapter 186,
section 2, subdivision 6, paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Technical Assistance, Outreach, and Environmental Education new text end

new text begin 250,000 new text end

new text begin 886,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Expanding Camp Sunrise Environmental Program new text end

new text begin $237,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with YouthCare Minnesota to
expand camp opportunities to more school
districts and implement improved hands-on
environmental education programs for
economically disadvantaged youth.
new text end

new text begin (b) Connecting Students to Boundary Waters new text end

new text begin $450,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Friends of the Boundary
Waters Wilderness to connect approximately
6,500 students to the boundary waters through
classroom education and wilderness canoe
experiences for diverse and underserved
populations across Minnesota. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2023,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Forest Restoration new text end

new text begin $199,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Mississippi Park
Connection to work with Conservation Corps
Minnesota, local communities, and volunteers
to address the loss of ash trees to emerald ash
borer by planting approximately 15,000 native
trees and plants in affected areas in the
Mississippi National River and Recreation
Area.
new text end

new text begin (d) Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers new text end

new text begin $250,000 in fiscal year 2019 is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
in cooperation with Conservation Corps
Minnesota and Iowa to encourage a diversity
of students to pursue careers in environment
and natural resources through internships and
mentorships with the Department of Natural
Resources, the Board of Water and Soil
Resources, and the Pollution Control Agency.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2024, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
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 3,100,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Building Knowledge and Capacity to Solve AIS Problems new text end

new text begin $3,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to support the Minnesota Aquatic
Invasive Species Research Center in
developing solutions to Minnesota's aquatic
invasive species problems through research,
control, prevention, outreach, and early
detection of existing and emerging aquatic
invasive species threats. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2023, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Oak Wilt Suppression at its Northern Edge new text end

new text begin $100,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Morrison Soil and Water
Conservation District to eradicate the
northern-most occurrences of oak wilt in the
state through mechanical means on select
private properties to prevent oak wilt's spread
to healthy state forest habitats.
new text end

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

new text begin 1,485,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Development of Clean Energy Storage Systems for Farms new text end

new text begin $650,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the West Central Research and
Outreach Center at Morris to develop and test
novel clean energy storage systems for farms
using wind-generated ammonia to displace
fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. This appropriation is subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (b) White Earth Nation Community Solar for Economic Resilience new text end

new text begin $500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Rural Renewable Energy
Alliance to install a 200-kW White Earth
community-owned solar garden to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, increase economic
development through environmental education
and solar workforce training, and improve
energy resilience.
new text end

new text begin (c) Sustainable Solar Energy from Agricultural Plant By-Products new text end

new text begin $185,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota, Morris, to use regional plant-based
agricultural by-products to fabricate solar cells
for creating renewable and affordable energy.
new text end

new text begin (d) Morris Energy and Environment Community Resilience Plan new text end

new text begin $150,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Morris to
develop and begin implementing community
resilience plans for energy and the
environment and to create a model guide for
other Minnesota communities to create and
implement their own plans.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Methods to Protect or Restore Land, Water, and Habitat new text end

new text begin 5,233,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Saving Endangered Pollinators through Data-Driven Prairie Restoration new text end

new text begin $800,000 the first year is from the trust fund.
Of this amount, $630,000 is to the Minnesota
Zoological Garden and $170,000 is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
reestablish populations of Minnesota's
imperiled butterflies through reintroductions
and prairie restorations and by developing
foundational habitat recommendations for
preventing future extinctions. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2023,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Promoting and Restoring Oak Savanna Using Silvopasture new text end

new text begin $750,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to demonstrate, evaluate, and
increase adoption of the combined use of
intensive tree, forage, and livestock
management as a method to restore threatened
oak savanna habitats.
new text end

new text begin (c) Sauk River Dam Removal and Rock Rapids Replacement new text end

new text begin $2,768,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Melrose to
remove an existing fixed-elevation dam,
construct a rock arch rapids, and conduct
in-stream and shoreline habitat restoration to
improve water quality and native fish passage
in the Sauk River. This project requires a
match of at least $1,400,000 that must be
secured before trust fund money is spent. At
least $700,000 of this match must come from
the city of Melrose. City of Melrose expenses
for the Sauk River dam removal and rock
rapids replacement incurred before July 1,
2019, may be counted toward the match.
new text end

new text begin (d) Conserving and Monitoring Minnesota's Rare Arctic Plants new text end

new text begin $135,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to provide monitoring and invasive
species removal to conserve rare and
endangered arctic plants on Minnesota's North
Shore. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2023, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) Nongame Wildlife Program Acceleration new text end

new text begin $780,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
accelerate the nongame wildlife program,
including rare wildlife data collection, habitat
management, collaborative land protection,
conservation education, and a new emphasis
on promoting nature tourism to benefit
wildlife, visitors, and rural communities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Land Acquisition, Habitat, and Recreation new text end

new text begin 1,724,000 new text end

new text begin 33,661,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas new text end

new text begin $3,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
the scientific and natural areas (SNA) program
to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on
SNAs, increase public involvement and
outreach, and strategically acquire high-quality
lands that meet criteria for SNAs under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, from
willing sellers. A list of proposed acquisitions
and restorations is required in the work plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Grants for Local Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas new text end

new text begin $3,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
solicit, rank, and fund competitive matching
grants for local parks, trail connections, and
natural and scenic areas under Minnesota
Statutes, section 85.019. The appropriation is
for local nature-based recreation, connections
to regional and state natural areas, and
recreation facilities and not for athletic
facilities such as sport fields, courts, and
playgrounds.
new text end

new text begin (c) Minnesota State Parks and State Trails In-Holdings new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2019 and $3,907,000
the first year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
high-priority in-holdings from willing sellers
within the legislatively authorized boundaries
of state parks and trails to protect Minnesota's
natural heritage, enhance outdoor recreational
opportunities, and improve the efficiency of
public land management. Priorities include
but are not limited to Minneopa, St. Croix,
Frontenac, and Crow Wing State Parks. A list
of proposed acquisitions is required in the
work plan.
new text end

new text begin (d) Minnesota State Trails Development new text end

new text begin $124,000 in fiscal year 2019 and $8,247,000
the first year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to expand
high-priority recreational opportunities on
Minnesota's state trails by developing new
trail segments and rehabilitating, improving,
and enhancing existing state trails.
High-priority trail bridges to rehabilitate or
replace include, but are not limited to, those
on the Arrowhead, Central Lakes,
Harmony-Preston Valley, Matthew Lourey,
and North Shore State Trails. High-priority
trail segments to develop and enhance include,
but are not limited to, the Paul Bunyan,
Gateway, Heartland, Gitchi Gami, and
Minnesota Valley State Trails. A proposed list
of trail projects on legislatively authorized
state trails is required in the work plan. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2021,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) National Loon Center new text end

new text begin $4,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the National Loon Center
Foundation, in partnership with a fiscal agent
to be approved by the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources, to
construct an approximately 15,000-square-foot
National Loon Center in Cross Lake dedicated
to loon survival, loon habitat protection and
research, and recreation. Of this amount, up
to $1,449,000 is for planning, design, and
construction of approximately six outdoor
demonstration learning kiosks, interpretive
trails, boardwalks, and native habitat
restoration along approximately 3,100 feet of
shoreline. Any remaining funds are for
planning, engineering, and constructing the
building and indoor exhibits. The building
must be environmentally and energy efficient.
An effort must be made to build the center so
that it is eligible to receive the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
certification or the Green Building Initiative
Green Globes certification for environmental
design. A land lease commitment of at least
25 years and fiscal sponsorship must be
secured before any trust fund money is spent.
This project requires a match of at least
$6,000,000. At least $2,000,000 of this match
must come from nonstate sources. If naming
rights will be conveyed, the National Loon
Center Foundation must include a plan for this
in the work plan. All matching funds must be
legally committed before any trust fund money
may be spent on planning activities for or
construction of the building and indoor
exhibits. Net income generated from
admissions, naming rights, and memberships
to the National Loon Center as a result of trust
fund contributions may be reinvested in the
center's long-term loon conservation efforts
as described in the work plan approved by the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources according to Minnesota Statutes,
section 116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (f) Accessible Fishing Piers new text end

new text begin $320,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
provide accessible fishing piers in locations
that have a high potential to serve new angling
communities, underserved populations, and
anglers with physical disabilities. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2021,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (g) Mesabi Trail Extensions new text end

new text begin $3,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the St. Louis and Lake
Counties Regional Railroad Authority for
environmental assessment, permitting,
right-of-way easements or other acquisition
as needed, and engineering for and
construction of four trail segments beginning
and ending at the following approximate
locations: Darwin Meyers Wildlife
Management Area to County Road 21,
Embarrass to Kugler, County Road 128 to the
Eagles Nest Town Hall, and Wolf Creek to
the Highway 169 underpass.
new text end

new text begin (h) Britton Peak to Lutsen Mountain Bike Trail new text end

new text begin $50,000 in fiscal year 2019 and $300,000 the
first year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Superior Cycling
Association to create a sustainably designed
single-track mountain bike trail connecting
trail clusters and trailheads between Britton
Peak in Tofte and Lutsen Mountains as part
of northeast Minnesota's effort to become a
national recreation destination. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2021,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (i) Preserving Avon Hills with Reverse-Bidding Easements new text end

new text begin $1,600,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Saint John's University in
cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust to
restore and enhance protected lands, provide
public outreach, and prepare management
plans for and use a reverse-bid ranking system
to secure permanent conservation easements
on high-quality natural habitat in the Avon
Hills area of Stearns County. Of this amount,
up to $168,000 is for use by Minnesota Land
Trust in a monitoring fund as approved in the
work plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 116P.20. An annual financial report is
required for any monitoring, management, and
enforcement fund, including expenditures from
the fund. A proposed list of acquisitions and
restorations must be provided in the work plan.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2024, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (j) Birch Lake Recreation Area Campground new text end

new text begin $350,000 in fiscal year 2019 and $350,000 the
first year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the city of Babbitt to expand
Birch Lake Recreation Area by adding a new
campground for recreational vehicles and tent
campers. This project requires a match of at
least $2,800,000 that must be secured before
trust fund money is spent. At least $800,000
of this match must come from the city of
Babbitt. Net income generated from
admissions to the campground created as a
result of trust fund contributions may be
reinvested into the campground's long-term
operations as described in the work plan
approved by the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources
according to Minnesota Statutes, section
116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (k) Bailey Lake Trail and Fishing Pier new text end

new text begin $550,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Virginia to
reconstruct the existing Bailey Lake Trail and
construct a new fishing pier on Bailey Lake
that is accessible from the trail.
new text end

new text begin (l) Vergas Long Lake Trail new text end

new text begin $290,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Vergas to
construct a bicycle and pedestrian bridge, trail,
and floating boardwalk along Long Lake
including shoreline restoration and
stabilization with native plants. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2021,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (m) Glacial Edge Trail and Downtown Pedestrian Bridge new text end

new text begin $600,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Fergus Falls to
acquire easements for and construct a trail
along the Otter Tail River in downtown Fergus
Falls and a bicycle and pedestrian bridge
crossing the river. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2021, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (n) Crane Lake to Vermilion Falls Trail new text end

new text begin $400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with St. Louis County in
cooperation with Voyageur Country ATV
Club to designate and improve a wooded trail
from Crane Lake to Vermilion Falls to
accommodate all-terrain vehicle and
snowmobile users. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2021, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (o) Restoring Five Sections of Superior Hiking Trail new text end

new text begin $191,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Superior Hiking Trail
Association to restore and repair the most
damaged parts of five sections of the Superior
Hiking Trail and restore an abandoned route
to a natural footpath for hikers.
new text end

new text begin (p) Native Prairie Bank Conservation Easements and Landowner Assistance new text end

new text begin $3,406,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
acquire native prairie bank easements in
accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
84.96; restore and enhance native prairie sites;
and provide technical assistance to
landowners. Of this amount, up to $185,000
may be deposited in a conservation easement
stewardship account. Deposits into the
conservation easement stewardship account
must be made upon closing on conservation
easements or at a time otherwise approved in
the work plan. A list of proposed easement
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required work plan.
new text end

new text begin (q) Rainy Lake Recreational Access and Boat Wash Station new text end

new text begin $200,000 in fiscal year 2019 is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the city of Ranier to
enhance and increase public access to Rainy
Lake by constructing an Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant recreational
parking lot, an ADA-compliant public
restroom, and an aquatic invasive species boat
wash station.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Administration and Contract Agreement Reimbursement new text end

new text begin 330,000 new text end

new text begin 1,538,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Contract Agreement Reimbursement new text end

new text begin $135,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources, at
the direction of the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources, for
expenses incurred for preparing and
administering contracts for the agreements
specified in this section. The commissioner
must provide documentation to the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources on the expenditure of these funds.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2021, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

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

new text begin $1,400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources for administration in
fiscal years 2020 and 2021 as provided in
Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09,
subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (c) Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) Administration new text end

new text begin $3,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
the Legislative Coordinating Commission for
the website required in Minnesota Statutes,
section 3.303, subdivision 10.
new text end

new text begin (d) Grants Management System new text end

new text begin $330,000 in fiscal year 2019 is from the trust
fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission
on Minnesota Resources to develop, enhance,
and maintain a management system for project
records.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end new text begin Wastewater Treatment Recommendations new text end

new text begin 500,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Water Infrastructure Loans new text end

new text begin Up to $6,500,000 of the money in the trust
fund is available to the State Board of
Investment to invest in loans through the
Public Facilities Authority's clean water
revolving fund under Minnesota Statutes,
section 446A.07. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 446A.07, repayments of
principal and interest and any investment
income must be credited to the trust fund and
are available for reinvestment in the clean
water revolving fund.
new text end

new text begin (b) Optimizing Local Mechanical and Pond Wastewater-Treatment Plants new text end

new text begin $500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency for the pilot program created under
Laws 2018, chapter 214, article 4, section 2,
subdivision 4, paragraph (a). This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2021,
by which time projects must be completed and
final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. 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 and necessary for a specific
appropriation and are specified in the work
plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources. Money
appropriated in this section must not be spent
on indirect costs or other institutional overhead
charges that are not directly related to and
necessary for a specific appropriation. Costs
that are directly related to and necessary for
an appropriation, including financial services,
human resources, information services, rent,
and utilities, are eligible only if the costs can
be clearly justified and individually
documented specific to the appropriation's
purpose and would not be generated by the
recipient but for receipt of the appropriation.
No broad allocations for costs in either dollars
or percentages are allowed. Unless otherwise
provided, the amounts in this section are
available until June 30, 2022, when projects
must be completed and final products
delivered. For acquisition of real property, the
appropriations in this section are available for
an additional fiscal year if a binding contract
for acquisition of the real property is entered
into before the expiration date of the
appropriation. 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. 13. 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 MN.IT Services. Spatial
data must also 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. To the extent
practicable, summary data and results of
projects funded under this section should be
readily accessible on the Internet and
identified as having received funding from the
environment and natural resources trust fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. 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, an 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 plan and annual or 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.
Modifications to the approved work plan and
budget expenditures must be made through
the amendment process established by the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources.
new text end

new text begin (b) A recipient of money appropriated in this
section that conducts a restoration using funds
appropriated in this section must use native
plant species according to the Board of Water
and Soil Resources' native vegetation
establishment and enhancement guidelines
and include an appropriate diversity of native
species selected to provide habitat for
pollinators throughout the growing season as
required under Minnesota Statutes, section
84.973.
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 and
durability of the restoration project. 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) An 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 after 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 must determine whether the
restorations are meeting planned goals,
identify any problems with implementing the
restorations, and, if necessary, give
recommendations on improving restorations.
The evaluation must be focused on improving
future restorations.
new text end

new text begin (e) 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.
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 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 permanent;
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 permanent;
new text end

new text begin (4) be sent to the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources in an
electronic format at least ten business days
before closing;
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 protect the quantity and quality
of groundwater and surface water through
specific activities such as keeping water on
the landscape, reducing nutrient and
contaminant loading, and not permitting
artificial hydrological modifications.
new text end

new text begin (h) For any acquisition of lands or interest in
lands, a recipient of money appropriated under
this section must not agree to pay more than
100 percent of the appraised value for a parcel
of land using this money to complete the
purchase, in part or in whole, except that up
to ten percent above the appraised value may
be allowed to complete the purchase, in part
or in whole, using this money if permission is
received in advance of the purchase from the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources.
new text end

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

new text begin (k) To ensure public accountability for using
public funds, a recipient of money
appropriated under this section must, within
60 days of the transaction, 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.
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 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. Each direct recipient of money
appropriated in this section, as well as each
recipient of a grant awarded pursuant to this
section, must satisfy all reporting and other
requirements incumbent upon constitutionally
dedicated funding recipients as provided in
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision
10, and chapter 116P.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end new text begin Payment Conditions and Capital-Equipment Expenditures new text end

new text begin (a) 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, 2019,
or the date the work plan is approved,
whichever is later, are eligible for
reimbursement unless otherwise provided in
this section. Periodic payments must be made
upon receiving documentation that the
deliverable items articulated in the approved
work plan 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
plan. No expenditures for capital equipment
are allowed unless expressly authorized in the
project work plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Single-source contracts as specified in the
approved work plan are allowed.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. 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 16C.0725, regarding
purchasing recycled, repairable, and durable
materials and Minnesota Statutes, section
16C.073, regarding purchasing and using
paper stock and printing.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. 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 planning and
constructing the capital improvement project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. 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. 19. new text end new text begin Carryforward; Extension new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the appropriations for
the following projects is extended to June 30,
2020:
new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 2,
subdivision 10, paragraph (c),
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources (LCCMR);
new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2015, chapter 76, section 2,
subdivision 3, paragraph (g), Minnesota
Native Bee Atlas;
new text end

new text begin (3) Laws 2015, chapter 76, section 2,
subdivision 4, paragraph (f), Southeast
Minnesota Subsurface Drainage Impacts on
Groundwater Recharge;
new text end

new text begin (4) Laws 2015, chapter 76, section 2,
subdivision 10, Emerging Issues Account;
new text end

new text begin (5) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 3, paragraph (a), Data-Driven
Pollinator Conservation Strategies;
new text end

new text begin (6) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 3, paragraph (c), Prairie Butterfly
Conservation, Research, and Breeding - Phase
II;
new text end

new text begin (7) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 4, paragraph (h), Protection of
State's Confined Drinking Water Aquifers -
Phase II;
new text end

new text begin (8) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 4, paragraph (r), Morrison County
Performance Drainage and Hydrology
Management;
new text end

new text begin (9) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 6, paragraph (c), Advancing
Microbial Invasive Species Monitoring from
Ballast Discharge;
new text end

new text begin (10) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 6, paragraph (e), Elimination of
Target Invasive Plant Species - Phase II;
new text end

new text begin (11) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 8, paragraph (a), Bee Pollinator
Habitat Enhancement - Phase II;
new text end

new text begin (12) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 8, paragraph (b), Measuring Pollen
and Seed Dispersal for Prairie Fragment
Connectivity;
new text end

new text begin (13) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 8, paragraph (f), Forest
Management for Mississippi River Drinking
Water Protection;
new text end

new text begin (14) Laws 2016, chapter 186, section 2,
subdivision 9, paragraph (b), Minnesota Point
Pine Forest Scientific and Natural Area
Acquisition; and
new text end

new text begin (15) Laws 2017, chapter 96, section 2,
subdivision 4, paragraph (a), Assessment of
Household Chemicals and Herbicides in
Rivers and Lakes.
new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the appropriation under
Laws 2017, chapter 96, section 2, subdivision
7, paragraph (b), Assessment of Urban Air
Quality, is extended to June 30, 2021.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 116P.08, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Exceptions.

Money from the trust fund may not be spent for:

(1) purposes of environmental compensation and liability under chapter 115B and
response actions under chapter 115C;

(2) purposes of municipal water pollution control deleted text begin in municipalities with a population of
5,000 or more deleted text end under the authority of chapters 115 and 116;

(3) costs associated with the decommissioning of nuclear power plants;

(4) hazardous waste disposal facilities;

(5) solid waste disposal facilities; or

(6) projects or purposes inconsistent with the strategic plan.

Sec. 4.

Laws 2015, chapter 76, section 2, subdivision 9, as amended by Laws 2018, chapter
214, article 4, section 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 9. Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation

14,190,000

-0-

(a) State Parks and Trails Land
Acquisitions

$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
acquire at least 335 acres for authorized 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 plan.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(b) Metropolitan Regional Park System
Land Acquisition - Phase IV

$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Metropolitan Council for grants to
acquire deleted text begin at least 133 deleted text end new text begin approximately 90 new text end acres of
lands within the approved park unit boundaries
of the metropolitan regional park system. This
appropriation may not be used to purchase
habitable residential structures. A list of
proposed fee title and easement acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required work
plan. This appropriation must be matched by
at least 40 percent of nonstate money that must
be committed by December 31, 2015, or the
appropriation cancels. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2018, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(c) SNA Acquisition, Restoration,
Enhancement, and Public Engagement

$4,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
acquire at least 350 acres of 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
and improve at least 550 acres 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 plan. 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, 2018, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(d) Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie
Bank Easement Acquisition

$3,325,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
acquire native prairie bank easements on at
least 675 acres, prepare baseline property
assessments, restore and enhance at least 1,000
acres of native prairie sites, and provide
technical assistance to landowners. Of this
amount, up to $195,000 must be deposited in
a conservation easement stewardship account.
Deposits into the conservation easement
stewardship account must be made upon
closing on conservation easements or at a time
otherwise approved in the work plan. A list of
proposed easement acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required work plan.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(e) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
VIII Coordination, Mapping, and
Conservation Easements

$515,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust
for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
Corridors partnership to provide coordination
and mapping for the partnership and to acquire
permanent conservation easements on at least
120 acres of strategic ecological landscapes
to protect priority natural areas in the
metropolitan area, as defined under Minnesota
Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and
portions of the surrounding counties. A list of
proposed easement acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required work plan.
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 plan. Up to $40,000 may be used for
coordination and mapping for the Metro
Conservation Corridors. All conservation
easements must be perpetual and have a
natural resource management plan. A list of
proposed easement acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required work plan.
This appropriation is available June 30, 2018,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.

(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
VIII Strategic Lands Protection

$750,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with The Trust for Public Land
for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at least
35 acres of high-quality priority state and local
natural areas in the metropolitan area, as
defined under Minnesota Statutes, section
473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the
surrounding counties. A list of proposed
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required work plan. 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 plan. This appropriation
may not be used to purchase habitable
residential structures, unless expressly
approved in the work plan. A list of fee title
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required work plan. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2018, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(g) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
VIII Priority Expansion of Minnesota
Valley National Wildlife Refuge

$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Minnesota Valley
National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. for Phase
VIII of the Metro Conservation Corridors
partnership to acquire in fee at least 100 acres
of priority habitat for the Minnesota Valley
National Wildlife Refuge in the metropolitan
area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions
of the surrounding counties. A list of proposed
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required work plan. Land acquired with this
appropriation must be sufficiently improved
to meet at least minimum management
standards. Expenditures are limited to the
identified project corridor areas as defined in
the work plan. This appropriation may not be
used to purchase habitable residential
structures, unless expressly approved in the
work plan. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(h) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
VIII Wildlife Management Area
Acquisition

$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at least
82 acres along the lower reaches of the
Vermillion River in Dakota County within the
Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area. Land
acquired with this appropriation must be
sufficiently improved to meet at least
minimum management standards. This
appropriation may not be used to purchase
habitable residential structures, unless
expressly approved in the work plan. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2018,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.

(i) Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to
Ely - Phase II

$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the St. Louis and Lake
Counties Regional Railroad Authority for the
right-of-way acquisition, design, and
construction of segments of the Mesabi Trail,
totaling approximately seven miles between
Soudan and Ely. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2018, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(j) Multi-benefit Watershed Scale
Conservation on North Central Lakes

$950,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to
secure permanent conservation easements on
at least 480 acres of high-quality habitat in
Crow Wing and Cass Counties. Of this
amount, up to $65,000 must be deposited in a
conservation easement stewardship account;
and $54,000 is for an agreement with the
Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation in
cooperation with Crow Wing County Soil and
Water Conservation District and Cass County
Soil and Water Conservation District. Deposits
into the conservation easement stewardship
account must be made upon closing on
conservation easements or at a time otherwise
approved in the work plan. A list of proposed
easement acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required work plan. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2018,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.

(k) Conservation Easement Assessment and
Valuation System Development

$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to assess the effectiveness of
existing conservation easements acquired
through state expenditures at achieving their
intended outcomes of public value and
ecological benefits and to develop a
standardized, objective conservation easement
valuation system for guiding future state
investments in conservation easements to
ensure the proposed environmental benefits
are being achieved in a cost-effective manner.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

Sec. 5.

Laws 2017, chapter 96, section 2, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9. Land Acquisition, Habitat, and Recreation

999,000

13,533,000

-0-

(a) Metropolitan Regional Parks System Land Acquisition

$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Metropolitan Council for grants to
acquire approximately deleted text begin 197 deleted text end new text begin 70 new text end acres of land
within the approved park boundaries of the
metropolitan regional park system. This
appropriation may not be used to purchase
habitable residential structures. A list of
proposed fee title acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required work plan.
This appropriation must be matched by at least
40 percent of nonstate money that must be
committed by December 31, 2017. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2020,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.

(b) Scientific and Natural Areas Acquisition and Restoration, Citizen Science, and Engagement

$2,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
acquire deleted text begin at least 250 acres of deleted text end land 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
and improve deleted text begin at least 1,000 acres of deleted text end scientific
and natural areas, and provide technical
assistance and outreach, including site steward
events. At least one-third of the appropriation
must be spent on restoration activities. A list
of proposed acquisitions and restorations must
be provided as part of the required work plan.
Land acquired with this appropriation must
be sufficiently improved to meet at least
minimum management standards, as
determined by the commissioner of natural
resources. When feasible, consideration must
be given to accommodate trails on lands
acquired. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2020, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(c) Minnesota State Parks and State Trails Land Acquisition

$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
acquire approximately 373 acres from willing
sellers for authorized 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 plan. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2020, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(d) Minnesota State Trails Acquisition, Development, and Enhancement

$999,000 in fiscal year 2017 and $39,000 the
first year are from the trust fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for state
trail acquisition, development, and
enhancement in southern Minnesota. A
proposed list of trail projects on authorized
state trails must be provided as part of the
required work plan. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2020, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(e) Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition

$2,675,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
acquire native prairie bank easements in
accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
84.96, on approximately deleted text begin 335 deleted text end new text begin 250 new text end acres,
prepare baseline property assessments, restore
and enhance deleted text begin at least 570 acres of deleted text end native prairie
sites, and provide technical assistance to
landowners. Of this amount, up to $132,000
may be deposited in a conservation easement
stewardship account. Deposits into the
conservation easement stewardship account
must be made upon closing on conservation
easements or at a time otherwise approved in
the work plan. A list of proposed easement
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required work plan. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2020, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(f) Leech Lake Acquisition

$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Leech Lake Band of
Ojibwe to acquire approximately 45 acres,
including 0.67 miles of shoreline of
high-quality aquatic and wildlife habitat at the
historic meeting place between Henry
Schoolcraft and the Anishinabe people. The
land must be open to public use including
hunting and fishing. The band must provide a
commitment that land will not be put in a
federal trust through the Bureau of Indian
Affairs.

(g) Mesabi Trail Development

$2,269,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the St. Louis and Lake
Counties Regional Railroad Authority for
engineering and constructing segments of the
Mesabi Trail. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2020, by which time the project
must be completed and final products
delivered.

(h) Tower Trailhead Boat Landing and Habitat Improvement - Phase II

$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Tower to
construct a trailhead and boat landing and
restore vegetative habitat on city-owned
property. Plant and seed materials must follow
the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native
vegetation establishment and enhancement
guidelines. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2020, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(i) Land Acquisition for Voyageurs National Park Crane Lake Visitors Center

$950,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the town of Crane Lake, in
partnership with Voyageurs National Park and
the Department of Natural Resources, to
acquire approximately 30 acres to be used for
a visitor center and campground. Income
generated by the campground may be used to
support the facility.

Sec. 6. new text begin TRANSFER.
new text end

new text begin On June 30, 2019, any unencumbered money from Laws 2017, chapter 96, section 2,
subdivision 10, paragraph (b), is transferred to the grants management system under Laws
2016, chapter 186, section 2, subdivision 10, paragraph (b).
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 6 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end