HF 3746

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money for Minnesota resources.

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

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

new text begin new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin General. new text end

new text begin Unless otherwise specified, the amounts appropriated
under this section are from the environment and natural resources trust fund. Unless
otherwise provided, the amounts in this section are available until June 30, 2008, when
projects must be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Environmental problem-solving model for Twin Cities schools. new text end

new text begin $38,000
in fiscal year 2007 and $37,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the commissioner
of natural resources for an agreement with Eco Education to train high school students and
teachers on environmental problem solving.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Enhancing civic understanding of groundwater. new text end

new text begin $75,000 in fiscal
year 2007 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the Science Museum
of Minnesota to create groundwater exhibits and a statewide traveling groundwater
classroom program. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009, 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 Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Phillips biomass community energy system. new text end

new text begin $450,000 in fiscal year 2007
and $450,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the commissioner of commerce for
an agreement with Phillips Community Energy Cooperative to assist in the distribution
system equipment and construction costs for a biomass district energy system. This
appropriation is contingent on all appropriate permits being obtained and a signed
commitment of financing for the biomass electrical generating facility being in place.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Laurentian Energy Authority biomass project. new text end

new text begin $233,000 in fiscal year
2007 and $233,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the commissioner of commerce
for an agreement with Virginia Public Utility to lease land and plant approximately 1,000
acres of trees to support a proposed conversion to a biomass power plant.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Planning for economic development via energy independence.
new text end

new text begin $120,000 in fiscal year 2007 and $120,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the
commissioner of commerce for an agreement with the University of Minnesota-Duluth
to evaluate the socioeconomic benefits of statewide and community renewable energy
production and distribution by analyzing system installation, technical capabilities,
cost-competitiveness, economic impacts, and policy incentives.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Land cover mapping for natural resource protection. new text end

new text begin $125,000 in
fiscal year 2007 and $125,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the commissioner
of natural resources for an agreement with Hennepin County to develop geographic
information system tools for prioritizing natural areas for protection and restoration and to
update and complete land cover classification mapping.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Upgrades to Blue Heron research vessel. new text end

new text begin $133,000 in fiscal year
2007 and $134,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota for the Large Lakes Observatory to upgrade and overhaul the
Blue Heron research vessel. $28,000 in fiscal year 2007 from the Great Lake protection
account under Minnesota Statutes, section 116Q.02, is appropriated to the Board of
Regents for the same purpose.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Green roof cost share and monitoring. new text end

new text begin $175,000 in fiscal year 2007 and
$175,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the Board of Water and Soil Resources
for an agreement with Ramsey Conservation District to install green, vegetated roofs on
four commercial or industrial buildings in Roseville and Falcon Heights and to monitor
their effectiveness for storm water management, flood reduction, water quality, and energy
efficiency. The cost of the installations must be matched by at least 50 percent nonstate
money.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Climate change impacts on Minnesota's aquatic resources. new text end

new text begin $125,000
in fiscal year 2007 and $125,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Institute to quantify
climate, hydrologic, and ecological variability and trends and identify indicators of future
climate. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009, 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 Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Land exchange revolving fund for Aitkin, Cass, and Crow Wing
counties. new text end

new text begin $250,000 in fiscal year 2007 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2008 are appropriated
to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Aitkin County for a
six-year revolving loan fund to improve public and private land ownership patterns,
increase management efficiency, and protect critical habitat in Aitkin, Cass, and Crow
Wing Counties. By June 30, 2011, Aitkin County shall repay the $500,000 to the
commissioner of finance for deposit in the environment and natural resources trust fund.
new text end