HF 3073

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/22/2023 08:13am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying powers and duties of the Board of Water
and Soil Resources; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.101,
subdivision 9.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.101, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Powers and duties.

(a) In addition to the powers and duties prescribed
elsewhere, the board shall:

(1) coordinate the water and soil resources planning and implementation activities of
counties, soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, watershed management
organizations, and any other local units of government through its various authorities for
approval of local plans, administration of state grants, contracts and easements, and by other
means as may be appropriate;

(2) facilitate communication and coordination among state agencies in cooperation with
the Environmental Quality Board, and between state and local units of government, in order
to make the expertise and resources of state agencies involved in water and soil resources
management available to the local units of government to the greatest extent possible;

(3) coordinate state and local interests with respect to the study in southwestern Minnesota
under United States Code, title 16, section 1009;

(4) develop information and education programs designed to increase awareness of local
water and soil resources problems and awareness of opportunities for local government
involvement in preventing or solving them;

(5) provide a forum for the discussion of local issues and opportunities relating to water
and soil resources management;

(6) adopt an annual budget and work program that integrate the various functions and
responsibilities assigned to it by law; and

(7) report to the governor and the legislature by October 15 of each even-numbered year
with an assessment of board programs and recommendations for any program changes and
board membership changes necessary to improve state and local efforts in water and soil
resources management.

(b) The board may accept grants, gifts, donations, or contributions in money, services,
materials, or otherwise from the United States, a state agency, or other source to achieve
an authorized or delegated purpose. The board may enter into a contract or agreement
necessary or appropriate to accomplish the transfer. The board may conduct or participate
in local, state, or federal programs or projects that have as one purpose or effect the
preservation or enhancement of water and soil resources and may enter into and administer
agreements with local governments or landowners or their designated agents as part of those
programs or projects. The board may receive and expend money to acquire conservation
easements, as defined in chapter 84C, on behalf of the state and federal government consistent
with deleted text begin the deleted text end Camp Ripley's Army Compatible Use Buffer Project new text begin , Sentinel Landscape program,
or related conservation programs new text end .

(c) Any money received is hereby deposited in an account in a fund other than the general
fund and appropriated and dedicated for the purpose for which it is granted.