HF 4152

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to appropriations; providing for a water quality and lake restoration grant
program; appropriating money; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin LAKE RESTORATION GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of natural resources in conjunction with the commissioner of the
Pollution Control Agency shall award grants to local units of government to meet the
goals of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 114D. The grants shall be awarded to local units of
government with jurisdiction over a lake with an area of 80 to 200 acres, with a depth
of greater than 12 feet, and that is listed as impaired because of excessive nutrients. The
grants shall be equally distributed between the seven-county metropolitan area and areas
outside the seven-county metropolitan area. The commissioner of natural resources, in
conjunction with the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) work with local soil and water conservation district offices, lake improvement
districts, and other local government units with authority over impaired bodies of water to
identify lakes that have historical water quality data available and can be shown to have
been thoroughly successful in reduction of point and nonpoint pollution sources within the
respective lake watersheds; and
new text end

new text begin (2) utilize the methodology and techniques demonstrated in Laws 2005, First Special
Session chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 7, paragraph (p), on the lake restoration
and award grants based on physical and chemical morphology in each identified lake.
High resolution lake, water current, and watershed maps and a detailed biological and
chemical survey must be completed a year before the start of any lake restoration project.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REPORT.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of natural resources must report to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance by February 1, 2011, on
the lakes and local government units participating in the lake restoration grant program
and the results and expectations to restore and improve the lakes.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $3,500,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for a lake restoration grant program that issues grants
to soil and water conservation district offices, lake improvement districts, and other local
units of government according to section 1. The funds shall be matched one to one by
local sources.
new text end