1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; appropriating money from clean water fund and 
1.3 	parks and trails fund; providing for agricultural water quality certification; 
1.4 	modifying provisions for restoration evaluations; requiring use of certain 
1.5 	standards for public water access sites; establishing Greater Minnesota Regional 
1.6 	Parks and Trails Commission; extending previous appropriation;amending 
1.7 	Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 10A.01, subdivision 35; 114D.50, subdivision 
1.8 	6; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 17; 85.
1.9 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.10 	ARTICLE 1
1.11 	CLEAN WATER FUND

1.12	Section 1. CLEAN WATER FUND APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
1.13 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
1.14 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the 
1.15 	clean water fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for allowable activities 
1.16 	under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 15. The figures "2014" and "2015" 
1.17 	used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the 
1.18 	fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, or June 30, 2015, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal 
1.19 	year 2014. "The second year" is fiscal year 2015. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2014 
1.20 	and 2015. The appropriations in this article are onetime.

1.21				APPROPRIATIONS
	
1.22				Available for the Year
	
1.23				Ending June 30
	
1.24					2014
		2015

1.25	Sec. 2. CLEAN WATER

2.1	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	95,145,000
	$
	96,032,000
	
2.2 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.3 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.4 	sections.

2.5	Subd. 2.Availability of Appropriation
 					
2.6 	Money appropriated in this article may not 
2.7 	be spent on activities unless they are directly 
2.8 	related to and necessary for a specific 
2.9 	appropriation and the recipient retains 
2.10 	documentation sufficient to justify the use of 
2.11 	the funds. Money appropriated in this article 
2.12 	must be spent in accordance with Minnesota 
2.13 	Management and Budget's Guidance to 
2.14 	Agencies on Legacy Fund Expenditure. 
2.15 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.16 	16A.28, and unless otherwise specified in 
2.17 	this article, fiscal year 2014 appropriations 
2.18 	are available until June 30, 2015, and fiscal 
2.19 	year 2015 appropriations are available until 
2.20 	June 30, 2016. If a project receives federal 
2.21 	funds, the time period of the appropriation is 
2.22 	extended to equal the availability of federal 
2.23 	funding.

2.24	Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 	$
	7,895,000
	$
	7,895,000
	
2.25 	(a) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the 
2.26 	second year are to accelerate monitoring for 
2.27 	pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface 
2.28 	water and groundwater in areas vulnerable to 
2.29 	surface water impairments and groundwater 
2.30 	degradation and to use data collected to 
2.31 	improve pesticide use practices.
2.32 	(b) $3,110,000 the first year and $3,110,000 
2.33 	the second year are to increase monitoring 
2.34 	and evaluate trends in the concentration of 
3.1 	nitrates in groundwater in areas vulnerable 
3.2 	to groundwater degradation, including a 
3.3 	substantial increase of monitoring of private 
3.4 	wells in cooperation with the commissioner 
3.5 	of health, monitoring for pesticides when 
3.6 	nitrates are detected, and promoting and 
3.7 	evaluating regional and crop-specific nutrient 
3.8 	best management practices to protect 
3.9 	groundwater from degradation. Of this 
3.10 	amount, $75,000 is for accelerating the 
3.11 	update for the commercial manure applicator 
3.12 	manual. This amount is to be matched with 
3.13 	general funds. This appropriation is available 
3.14 	until June 30, 2016, when the commissioner 
3.15 	shall submit a report to the chairs and 
3.16 	ranking minority members of the senate and 
3.17 	house of representatives committees and 
3.18 	divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture 
3.19 	and environment and natural resources 
3.20 	policy and finance on the expenditure 
3.21 	of these funds, including the progress in 
3.22 	preventing groundwater degradation and 
3.23 	recommendations. By October 15, 2014, the 
3.24 	commissioner shall submit an interim report 
3.25 	to the chairs and ranking minority members 
3.26 	of the senate and house of representatives 
3.27 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
3.28 	over agriculture and environment and 
3.29 	natural resources policy and finance on 
3.30 	the expenditure of these funds, including 
3.31 	recommendations.
3.32 	(c) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 
3.33 	the second year are for transfer to the 
3.34 	clean water agricultural best management 
3.35 	practices loan account and are available 
3.36 	for pass-through to local governments and 
4.1 	lenders for low-interest septic system loans 
4.2 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117. 
4.3 	Any unencumbered balance that is not used 
4.4 	for pass-through to local governments does 
4.5 	not cancel at the end of the first year and is 
4.6 	available for the second year.
4.7 	(d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 
4.8 	the second year are for technical assistance, 
4.9 	including but not limited to small watershed 
4.10 	evaluation, edge of field monitoring, 
4.11 	assessment of stream channel characteristics, 
4.12 	terrain analysis, corn stalk testing, sediment 
4.13 	fingerprinting, and agronomic assessments, 
4.14 	all designed to establish advanced practices 
4.15 	for protecting lakes, rivers, and streams and 
4.16 	for protecting groundwater from degradation. 
4.17 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
4.18 	2016.
4.19 	(e) $1,050,000 the first year and $1,050,000 
4.20 	the second year are for research that could 
4.21 	pass peer review to protect water resources 
4.22 	from agricultural related contaminants, 
4.23 	including: pilot projects, including the 
4.24 	use of cover crops; development of best 
4.25 	management practices; and technical 
4.26 	assistance on proper implementation of best 
4.27 	management practices to protect and restore 
4.28 	surface water and protect groundwater from 
4.29 	degradation. This appropriation is available 
4.30 	until June 30, 2018.
4.31 	(f) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the 
4.32 	second year are for a research inventory 
4.33 	database containing water-related research 
4.34 	activities. Any information technology 
4.35 	development or support or costs necessary 
5.1 	for this research inventory database will be 
5.2 	incorporated into the agency's service level 
5.3 	agreement with and paid to the Office of 
5.4 	Enterprise Technology. This appropriation is 
5.5 	available until June 30, 2016.
5.6 	(g) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 
5.7 	the second year are to implement a Minnesota 
5.8 	agricultural water quality certification 
5.9 	program. This appropriation is available 
5.10 	until June 30, 2018.
5.11 	(h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 
5.12 	the second year are for a regional irrigation 
5.13 	water quality specialist through the 
5.14 	University of Minnesota Extension Service 
5.15 	to accelerate efforts to provide guidance on 
5.16 	managing water and nitrogen fertilizer and 
5.17 	to provide assistance complying with permit 
5.18 	requirements, regulations, and other related 
5.19 	laws. By January 15, 2016, the commissioner 
5.20 	shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking 
5.21 	minority members of the senate and house 
5.22 	of representatives committees and divisions 
5.23 	with jurisdiction over agriculture and 
5.24 	environment and natural resources policy and 
5.25 	finance on the expenditure of these funds, 
5.26 	including recommendations.

5.27	Sec. 4. PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY
 	$
	11,000,000
	$
	11,000,000
	
5.28 	(a) $9,000,000 the first year and $9,000,000 
5.29 	the second year are for the total maximum 
5.30 	daily load grant program under Minnesota 
5.31 	Statutes, section 446A.073. This 
5.32 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
5.33 	(b) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 
5.34 	the second year are for small community 
6.1 	wastewater treatment grants and loans under 
6.2 	Minnesota Statues, section 446A.075. By 
6.3 	January 15, 2014, the authority shall submit 
6.4 	recommendations to the chairs and ranking 
6.5 	minority members of the senate and house 
6.6 	of representatives committees and divisions 
6.7 	with jurisdiction over agriculture and 
6.8 	environment and natural resources policy and 
6.9 	finance on potential criteria that may be used 
6.10 	to evaluate the option to buy out properties 
6.11 	if it is more cost-effective than a proposed 
6.12 	wastewater treatment system project. This 
6.13 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
6.14 	(c) If there are any uncommitted funds at 
6.15 	the end of each fiscal year under paragraph 
6.16 	(a) or (b), the Public Facilities Authority 
6.17 	may transfer the remaining funds to eligible 
6.18 	projects under any of the programs listed 
6.19 	in this section based on their priority rank 
6.20 	on the Pollution Control Agency's project 
6.21 	priority list.

6.22	Sec. 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
 	$
	30,315,000
	$
	30,265,000
	
6.23 	(a) $7,000,000 the first year and $7,000,000 
6.24 	the second year are for completion of 20 
6.25 	percent of the needed statewide assessments 
6.26 	of surface water quality and trends.
6.27 	(b) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 
6.28 	the second year are to monitor and assess 
6.29 	unregulated contaminants in surface water. 
6.30 	By January 1, 2014, the commissioner shall 
6.31 	submit an initial report to the chairs and 
6.32 	ranking minority members of the house of 
6.33 	representatives and senate committees and 
6.34 	divisions with jurisdiction over environment 
6.35 	and natural resources policy and finance on 
7.1 	unregulated contaminants, including steps 
7.2 	that should be taken to reduce the most 
7.3 	problematic contaminants.
7.4 	(c) $10,200,000 the first year and 
7.5 	$10,200,000 the second year are to develop 
7.6 	watershed restoration and protection 
7.7 	strategies (WRAPS), which include: total 
7.8 	maximum daily load (TMDL) studies; 
7.9 	TMDL implementation plans for waters 
7.10 	listed on the United States Environmental 
7.11 	Protection Agency approved impaired waters 
7.12 	list in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, 
7.13 	chapter 114D; and setting reduction and 
7.14 	protection goals and a schedule for meeting 
7.15 	the goals. The agency shall complete an 
7.16 	average of ten percent of the TMDL's each 
7.17 	year over the biennium. Of this amount, 
7.18 	$800,000 each year is for conducting interim 
7.19 	assessments of impaired waters five years 
7.20 	after the completion of a TMDL to determine 
7.21 	the progress made in achieving water quality 
7.22 	improvements. Following completion of 
7.23 	each interim assessment conducted with this 
7.24 	appropriation, the commissioner shall submit 
7.25 	the assessment to the chairs and ranking 
7.26 	minority members of the senate and house 
7.27 	of representatives committees and divisions 
7.28 	with jurisdiction over the environment and 
7.29 	natural resources policy and finance.
7.30 	(d) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000 
7.31 	the second year are for groundwater 
7.32 	assessment, including enhancing the 
7.33 	ambient monitoring network, modeling, and 
7.34 	evaluating trends, including the reassessment 
7.35 	of groundwater that was assessed ten to 15 
7.36 	years ago and found to be contaminated. 
8.1 	By January 15, 2016, the commissioner 
8.2 	shall submit a report with recommendations 
8.3 	for reducing or preventing groundwater 
8.4 	degradation from contaminants to the chairs 
8.5 	and ranking minority members of the senate 
8.6 	and house of representatives committees and 
8.7 	divisions with jurisdiction over environment 
8.8 	and natural resources policy and finance.
8.9 	(e) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 
8.10 	the second year are for water quality 
8.11 	improvements in the lower St. Louis River 
8.12 	and Duluth harbor within the St. Louis River 
8.13 	System Area of Concern. This appropriation 
8.14 	must be matched at a rate of 65 percent 
8.15 	nonstate money to 35 percent state money.
8.16 	(f) $3,000,000 the first year and $3,000,000 
8.17 	the second year are for the clean water 
8.18 	partnership program to provide grants to 
8.19 	protect and improve the lakes, basins, and 
8.20 	watersheds of the state and provide financial 
8.21 	and technical assistance. Priority shall be 
8.22 	given to projects preventing impairments and 
8.23 	degradation of lakes, rivers, streams, and 
8.24 	groundwater in accordance with Minnesota 
8.25 	Statutes, section 114D.20, subdivision 2, 
8.26 	clause (4). Any balance remaining in the first 
8.27 	year does not cancel and is available for the 
8.28 	second year.
8.29 	(g) $1,150,000 the first year and $1,150,000 
8.30 	the second year are for TMDL research and 
8.31 	database development.
8.32 	(h) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
8.33 	the second year are to initiate development of 
8.34 	a multiagency watershed database reporting 
8.35 	portal. Of this amount, $....... is for transfer 
9.1 	to the Minnesota Geospatial Office for 
9.2 	compiling and distributing surface water and 
9.3 	groundwater quality and quantity data.
9.4 	(i) $900,000 the first year and $900,000 
9.5 	the second year are for national pollutant 
9.6 	discharge elimination system wastewater and 
9.7 	storm water TMDL implementation efforts.
9.8 	(j) $3,450,000 the first year and $3,450,000 
9.9 	the second year are for grants to counties 
9.10 	with specific plans to significantly reduce 
9.11 	water pollution by reducing the number of 
9.12 	subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS) 
9.13 	that are an imminent threat to public health 
9.14 	or safety or are otherwise failing. Counties 
9.15 	with an ordinance in place that requires 
9.16 	an SSTS to be compliant with existing 
9.17 	standards upon property transfer and as a 
9.18 	condition of obtaining a building permit 
9.19 	shall be given priority for grants under this 
9.20 	paragraph. Of this amount, $750,000 each 
9.21 	year is available to counties for grants to 
9.22 	low-income landowners in riparian areas 
9.23 	to address systems that pose an immediate 
9.24 	threat to public health or safety. A grant 
9.25 	awarded under this paragraph may not 
9.26 	exceed $500,000. A county receiving a grant 
9.27 	under this paragraph must submit a report 
9.28 	to the agency listing the projects funded, 
9.29 	including an account of the expenditures.
9.30 	(k) $550,000 the first year and $550,000 
9.31 	the second year are for water quality 
9.32 	monitoring in watersheds with participants 
9.33 	in the agricultural water quality certification 
9.34 	program and watersheds targeted by the 
9.35 	Board of Water and Soil Resources in 
10.1 	order to develop baseline surface water 
10.2 	quality information, including water quality 
10.3 	data from areas located downstream from 
10.4 	impacted areas.
10.5 	(l) $375,000 the first year and $375,000 the 
10.6 	second year are for developing wastewater 
10.7 	treatment system designs and practices 
10.8 	and providing technical assistance. Of 
10.9 	this amount, $145,000 each year is for 
10.10 	transfer to the Board of Regents of the 
10.11 	University of Minnesota to provide ongoing 
10.12 	support for design teams with scientific 
10.13 	and technical expertise pertaining to 
10.14 	wastewater management and treatment 
10.15 	that will include representatives from the 
10.16 	University of Minnesota, Pollution Control 
10.17 	Agency, and municipal wastewater utilities 
10.18 	and other wastewater engineering experts. 
10.19 	The design teams shall promote the use of 
10.20 	new technology, designs, and practices to 
10.21 	address existing and emerging wastewater 
10.22 	treatment challenges, including the treatment 
10.23 	of wastewater for reuse and the emergence 
10.24 	of new and other unregulated contaminants. 
10.25 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
10.26 	2016.
10.27 	(m) $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the 
10.28 	second year are for grants to the Red River 
10.29 	Watershed Management Board to enhance 
10.30 	and expand the existing water quality and 
10.31 	watershed monitoring river watch activities, 
10.32 	including groundwater, in the schools in 
10.33 	the Red River of the North Watershed. The 
10.34 	Red River Watershed Management Board 
10.35 	shall provide a report to the commissioner 
10.36 	and the chair and ranking minority members 
11.1 	of the senate and house of representatives 
11.2 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
11.3 	over environment and natural resources 
11.4 	finance and policy and the clean water fund 
11.5 	by February 15, 2015, on the expenditure of 
11.6 	these funds.
11.7 	(n) $50,000 the first year is for providing 
11.8 	technical assistance to local units of 
11.9 	government to address the impacts on 
11.10 	water quality from polycyclic aromatic 
11.11 	hydrocarbons resulting from the use of coal 
11.12 	tar products.
11.13 	(o) $40,000 the first year and $40,000 the 
11.14 	second year are to support activities of the 
11.15 	Clean Water Council according to Minnesota 
11.16 	Statutes, section 114D.30, subdivision 1.
11.17 	(p) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
11.18 	section 16A.28, the appropriations 
11.19 	encumbered on or before June 30, 2015, 
11.20 	as grants or contracts in this section are 
11.21 	available until June 30, 2018.

11.22
11.23	Sec. 6. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL 
RESOURCES
 	$
	14,460,000
	$
	14,075,000
	
11.24 	(a) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 
11.25 	the second year are for stream flow 
11.26 	monitoring, including the installation of 
11.27 	additional monitoring gauges, and monitoring 
11.28 	necessary to determine the relationship 
11.29 	between stream flow and groundwater.
11.30 	(b) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000 
11.31 	the second year are for lake Index of 
11.32 	Biological Integrity (IBI) assessments.
11.33 	(c) $135,000 the first year and $135,000 
11.34 	the second year are for assessing mercury 
12.1 	contamination of fish, including monitoring 
12.2 	to track the status of waters impaired by 
12.3 	mercury and mercury reduction efforts over 
12.4 	time.
12.5 	(d) $1,850,000 the first year and $1,850,000 
12.6 	the second year are for developing targeted, 
12.7 	science-based watershed restoration and 
12.8 	protection strategies, including regional 
12.9 	technical assistance for TMDL plans and 
12.10 	development of a watershed assessment tool, 
12.11 	in cooperation with the commissioner of the 
12.12 	Pollution Control Agency. By January 15, 
12.13 	2016, the commissioner shall submit a report 
12.14 	to the chairs and ranking minority members 
12.15 	of the senate and house of representatives 
12.16 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
12.17 	over environment and natural resources 
12.18 	policy and finance providing the outcomes 
12.19 	to lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater 
12.20 	achieved with this appropriation and 
12.21 	recommendations.
12.22 	(e) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 
12.23 	the second year are for water supply planning, 
12.24 	aquifer protection, and monitoring activities.
12.25 	(f) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
12.26 	the second year are for technical assistance 
12.27 	to support local implementation of nonpoint 
12.28 	source restoration and protection activities, 
12.29 	including water quality protection in forested 
12.30 	watersheds.
12.31 	(g) $675,000 the first year and $675,000 
12.32 	the second year are for applied research 
12.33 	and tools, including watershed hydrologic 
12.34 	modeling; maintaining and updating spatial 
12.35 	data for watershed boundaries, streams, and 
13.1 	water bodies and integrating high-resolution 
13.2 	digital elevation data; assessing effectiveness 
13.3 	of forestry best management practices for 
13.4 	water quality; and developing an ecological 
13.5 	monitoring database.
13.6 	(h) $615,000 the first year and $615,000 
13.7 	the second year are for developing county 
13.8 	geologic atlases.
13.9 	(i) $85,000 the first year is to develop design 
13.10 	standards and best management practices 
13.11 	for public water access sites to maintain and 
13.12 	improve water quality by avoiding shoreline 
13.13 	erosion and runoff.
13.14 	(j) $3,500,000 the first year and $3,500,000 
13.15 	the second year are for beginning to develop 
13.16 	and designate groundwater management 
13.17 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.18 	103G.287, subdivision 4. The commissioner, 
13.19 	in consultation with the commissioners 
13.20 	of the Pollution Control Agency, health, 
13.21 	and agriculture, shall establish a uniform 
13.22 	statewide hydrogeologic mapping system 
13.23 	that will include designated groundwater 
13.24 	management areas. The mapping system 
13.25 	must include wellhead protection areas, 
13.26 	special well construction areas, groundwater 
13.27 	provinces, groundwater recharge areas, and 
13.28 	other designated or geographical areas related 
13.29 	to groundwater. This mapping system shall 
13.30 	be used to implement all groundwater-related 
13.31 	laws and for reporting and evaluations. This 
13.32 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.
13.33 	(k) $1,100,000 the first year and $1,000,000 
13.34 	the second year are for grants to counties 
13.35 	and other local units of government that 
14.1 	have adopted advanced shoreland protection 
14.2 	measures. The grants awarded under this 
14.3 	paragraph shall be for $100,000 and must be 
14.4 	used to restore and enhance riparian areas to 
14.5 	protect, enhance, and restore water quality in 
14.6 	lakes, rivers, and streams. Grant recipients 
14.7 	must submit a report to the commissioner on 
14.8 	the outcomes achieved with the grant. To 
14.9 	be eligible for a grant under this paragraph, 
14.10 	a county or other local unit of government 
14.11 	must have adopted an ordinance for the 
14.12 	subdivision, use, redevelopment, and 
14.13 	development of shoreland that has been 
14.14 	certified by the commissioner of natural 
14.15 	resources as having advanced shoreland 
14.16 	protection measures. The commissioner 
14.17 	shall only certify an ordinance that meets or 
14.18 	exceeds the following standards:
14.19 	(1) requires new sewage treatment systems 
14.20 	to be set back at least 100 feet from the 
14.21 	ordinary high water level for recreational 
14.22 	development shorelands and 75 feet for 
14.23 	general development lake shorelands;
14.24 	(2) requires redevelopment and new 
14.25 	development on shoreland to have at least 
14.26 	a 50-foot vegetative buffer. An access path 
14.27 	and recreational use area may be allowed;
14.28 	(3) requires mitigation when any variance to 
14.29 	standards designed to protect lakes, rivers, 
14.30 	and streams is granted;
14.31 	(4) requires best management practices to 
14.32 	be used to control storm water and sediment 
14.33 	when 3,000 or more square feet are disturbed 
14.34 	as part of a land alteration;
15.1 	(5) includes other criteria developed by the 
15.2 	commissioner; and
15.3 	(6) has been adopted by July 1, 2015.
15.4 	The commissioner may certify an ordinance 
15.5 	that does not exceed all the standards in 
15.6 	clauses (1) to (5) if the commissioner 
15.7 	determines that the ordinance provides 
15.8 	significantly greater protection for both 
15.9 	waters and shoreland than those standards.
15.10 	The commissioner of natural resources 
15.11 	may develop additional criteria for the 
15.12 	grants awarded under this paragraph. In 
15.13 	developing the criteria, the commissioner 
15.14 	shall consider the proposed changes to 
15.15 	the department's shoreland rules discussed 
15.16 	during the rulemaking process authorized 
15.17 	under Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 1, 
15.18 	section 4, subdivision 3. This appropriation 
15.19 	is available until spent.
15.20 	(l) $100,000 the first year is for preparing and 
15.21 	hosting groundwater management workshops 
15.22 	to provide an update on scientific, technical, 
15.23 	and other information regarding groundwater 
15.24 	sustainability, use, and best management 
15.25 	practices to groundwater management 
15.26 	professionals and mayors or their designees 
15.27 	in greater Minnesota.
15.28 	(m) $100,000 the first year is for preparing 
15.29 	and hosting, in consultation with the 
15.30 	Metropolitan Council, groundwater 
15.31 	management workshops to provide an update 
15.32 	on scientific, technical, and other information 
15.33 	regarding groundwater sustainability, 
15.34 	use, and best management practices to 
15.35 	groundwater management professionals and 
16.1 	mayors or their designees in the metropolitan 
16.2 	area.
16.3 	(n) $25,000 the first year is to the 
16.4 	commissioner of natural resources to 
16.5 	evaluate the water quality impacts of hard 
16.6 	rock aggregate mining on the headwaters 
16.7 	of the Minnesota River. The commissioner 
16.8 	must report to the chairs and ranking minority 
16.9 	members of the legislative committees with 
16.10 	jurisdiction over natural resources and local 
16.11 	government by February 15, 2014. Until 
16.12 	the commissioner reports to the legislature 
16.13 	the results of the commissioner's evaluation, 
16.14 	no new hard rock aggregate mining permit 
16.15 	may be issued for mining activity near the 
16.16 	headwaters of the Minnesota River. This 
16.17 	paragraph is effective the day following final 
16.18 	enactment.

16.19
16.20	Sec. 7. BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL 
RESOURCES
 	$
	22,648,000
	$
	24,470,000
	
16.21 	(a) $5,000,000 the first year and $5,000,000 
16.22 	the second year are for grants to soil and water 
16.23 	conservation districts, watershed districts, 
16.24 	watershed management organizations, and 
16.25 	other joint powers organizations organized 
16.26 	for the management of water in a watershed 
16.27 	or subwatershed that have multiyear plans 
16.28 	that will result in a significant reduction in 
16.29 	water pollution in a selected subwatershed. 
16.30 	The grants may be used for the following 
16.31 	purposes: establishment of riparian buffers; 
16.32 	practices to store water for natural treatment 
16.33 	and infiltration, including rain gardens; 
16.34 	capturing storm water for reuse; stream 
16.35 	bank, shoreland, and ravine stabilization; 
17.1 	enforcement activities; and implementation 
17.2 	of best management practices for feedlots 
17.3 	within riparian areas and other practices 
17.4 	demonstrated to be most effective in 
17.5 	protecting, enhancing, and restoring water 
17.6 	quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and 
17.7 	protecting groundwater from degradation. 
17.8 	Grant recipients must provide a nonstate 
17.9 	cash match of at least 25 percent of the 
17.10 	total eligible project costs. Grant recipients 
17.11 	may use other legacy funds to supplement 
17.12 	projects funded under this paragraph. Prairie 
17.13 	restorations conducted with funds awarded 
17.14 	under this paragraph must include a diversity 
17.15 	of species, including species selected to 
17.16 	provide habitat for pollinators throughout the 
17.17 	growing season, and protect existing native 
17.18 	prairies from genetic contamination. Grants 
17.19 	awarded under this paragraph are available 
17.20 	for four years and priority shall be given 
17.21 	to the three to six best designed plans each 
17.22 	year. By January 15, 2016, the board shall 
17.23 	submit an interim report on the outcomes 
17.24 	achieved with this appropriation, including 
17.25 	recommendations, to the chairs and ranking 
17.26 	minority members of the senate and house 
17.27 	of representatives committees and divisions 
17.28 	with jurisdiction over environment and 
17.29 	natural resources policy and finance. This 
17.30 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
17.31 	(b) $2,853,000 the first year and $4,675,000 
17.32 	the second year are for grants for the 
17.33 	following purposes: establishment of 
17.34 	riparian buffers; practices to store water for 
17.35 	natural treatment and infiltration, including 
17.36 	rain gardens; capturing storm water for 
18.1 	reuse; stream bank, shoreland, and ravine 
18.2 	stabilization; enforcement activities; and 
18.3 	implementation of best management practices 
18.4 	for feedlots within riparian areas and other 
18.5 	practices demonstrated to be most effective 
18.6 	in protecting, enhancing, and restoring water 
18.7 	quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and 
18.8 	protecting groundwater from degradation.
18.9 	(c) $4,000,000 the first year and $4,000,000 
18.10 	the second year are for targeted local 
18.11 	resource protection and enhancement grants 
18.12 	for projects and practices that exceed 
18.13 	current state standards for protection, 
18.14 	enhancement, and restoration of water 
18.15 	quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that 
18.16 	protect groundwater from degradation.
18.17 	(d) $900,000 the first year and $900,000 the 
18.18 	second year are to provide state oversight 
18.19 	and accountability, evaluate results, and 
18.20 	measure the value of conservation program 
18.21 	implementation by local governments, 
18.22 	including submission to the legislature 
18.23 	by March 1 each year an annual report 
18.24 	prepared by the board, in consultation with 
18.25 	the commissioners of natural resources, 
18.26 	health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control 
18.27 	Agency, detailing the recipients, projects 
18.28 	funded under this section, and the amount of 
18.29 	pollution reduced.
18.30 	(e) $1,700,000 the first year and $1,700,000 
18.31 	the second year are for grants to local units 
18.32 	of government to ensure compliance with 
18.33 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103E, and 
18.34 	sections 103F.401 to 103F.455, including 
18.35 	enforcement efforts. Of this amount, 
19.1 	$235,000 the first year is to update the 
19.2 	Minnesota Public Drainage Manual and the 
19.3 	Minnesota Public Drainage Law Overview 
19.4 	for Decision Makers and to provide outreach 
19.5 	to users.
19.6 	(f) $6,500,000 the first year and $6,500,000 
19.7 	the second year are to purchase and restore 
19.8 	permanent conservation easements on 
19.9 	riparian buffers adjacent to lakes, rivers, 
19.10 	streams, and tributaries with a high risk of 
19.11 	becoming impaired or that are currently 
19.12 	impaired, to keep water on the land in order 
19.13 	to decrease sediment, pollutant, and nutrient 
19.14 	transport; reduce hydrologic impacts to 
19.15 	surface waters; and increase infiltration for 
19.16 	groundwater recharge. This appropriation 
19.17 	may be used for restoration of riparian 
19.18 	buffers protected by easements purchased 
19.19 	with this appropriation and for stream bank 
19.20 	restorations when the riparian buffers have 
19.21 	been restored. Prairie restorations conducted 
19.22 	with funds awarded under this paragraph 
19.23 	must include a diversity of species, including 
19.24 	species selected to provide habitat for 
19.25 	pollinators throughout the growing season, 
19.26 	and protect existing native prairies from 
19.27 	genetic contamination.
19.28 	(g) $1,400,000 the first year and $1,400,000 
19.29 	the second year are for permanent 
19.30 	conservation easements on wellhead 
19.31 	protection areas under Minnesota Statutes, 
19.32 	section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph 
19.33 	(d). Priority must be placed on land that 
19.34 	is located where the vulnerability of the 
19.35 	drinking water supply is designated as high 
19.36 	or very high by the commissioner of health.
20.1 	(h) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the 
20.2 	second year are for a technical evaluation 
20.3 	panel to conduct at least 20 restoration 
20.4 	evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, 
20.5 	section 114D.50, subdivision 6.
20.6 	(i) $120,000 the first year and $120,000 
20.7 	the second year are for grants to Area 
20.8 	II Minnesota River Basin projects for 
20.9 	floodplain management.
20.10 	(j) The board shall contract for services 
20.11 	with Conservation Corps Minnesota for 
20.12 	restoration, maintenance, and other activities 
20.13 	under this section for $500,000 the first year 
20.14 	and $500,000 the second year.
20.15 	(k) The board may adjust the technical and 
20.16 	administrative assistance portion of the funds 
20.17 	to leverage federal or other nonstate funds 
20.18 	or to address oversight responsibilities or 
20.19 	high-priority needs identified in local water 
20.20 	management plans.
20.21 	(l) The board shall require grantees to specify 
20.22 	the outcomes that will be achieved by the 
20.23 	grants prior to any grant awards and the 
20.24 	board shall track the cumulative impacts 
20.25 	and include those impacts in reports on the 
20.26 	expenditure of clean water funds submitted 
20.27 	to the legislature.
20.28 	(m) The appropriations in this section are 
20.29 	available until June 30, 2018. Returned grant 
20.30 	funds are available until expended and shall 
20.31 	be regranted consistent with the purposes of 
20.32 	this section.

20.33	Sec. 8. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
 	$
	6,198,000
	$
	6,198,000
	
21.1 	(a) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000 
21.2 	the second year are for addressing public 
21.3 	health concerns related to contaminants 
21.4 	found in Minnesota drinking water for 
21.5 	which no health-based drinking water 
21.6 	standards exist, including accelerating the 
21.7 	development of health risk limits, including 
21.8 	triclosan, and improving the capacity of 
21.9 	the department's laboratory to analyze 
21.10 	unregulated contaminants.
21.11 	(b) $1,615,000 the first year and $1,615,000 
21.12 	the second year are for protection of 
21.13 	groundwater and surface water drinking 
21.14 	water sources, including protection from 
21.15 	viruses.
21.16 	(c) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
21.17 	second year are for cost share assistance to 
21.18 	public and private well owners for up to 50 
21.19 	percent of the cost of sealing unused wells.
21.20 	(d) $390,000 the first year and $390,000 the 
21.21 	second year are to update and expand the 
21.22 	County Well Index, in cooperation with the 
21.23 	commissioner of natural resources.
21.24 	(e) $325,000 the first year and $325,000 the 
21.25 	second year are for studying the occurrence 
21.26 	and magnitude of contaminants in private 
21.27 	wells and developing guidance to ensure 
21.28 	that new well placement minimizes the 
21.29 	potential for risks, in cooperation with the 
21.30 	commissioner of agriculture.
21.31 	(f) $105,000 the first year and $105,000 the 
21.32 	second year are for monitoring recreational 
21.33 	beaches on Lake Superior for pollutants that 
21.34 	may pose a public health risk and mitigating 
22.1 	sources of bacterial contamination that are 
22.2 	identified.
22.3 	(g) $980,000 the first year and $980,000 the 
22.4 	second year are for a biomonitoring program 
22.5 	that will focus on children and disadvantaged 
22.6 	communities to provide data on disparities 
22.7 	in pollutant exposure and other measures 
22.8 	necessary to assist with water quality 
22.9 	management and protection decision making.
22.10 	(h) $1,233,000 the first year and $1,233,000 
22.11 	the second year are for the development 
22.12 	and implementation of a groundwater 
22.13 	virus monitoring plan, including an 
22.14 	epidemiological study to determine the 
22.15 	association between groundwater virus 
22.16 	concentration and community illness rates. 
22.17 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
22.18 	2017.
22.19 	(i) Unless otherwise specified, the 
22.20 	appropriations in this section are available 
22.21 	until June 30, 2016.

22.22	Sec. 9. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
 	$
	2,000,000
	$
	1,500,000
	
22.23 	(a) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the 
22.24 	second year are for grants or loans for local 
22.25 	inflow and infiltration reduction programs 
22.26 	addressing high priority areas in the 
22.27 	metropolitan area, as defined in Minnesota 
22.28 	Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2. This 
22.29 	appropriation is available until expended.
22.30 	(b) $500,000 the first year is for an agreement 
22.31 	with the United States Geological Survey to 
22.32 	investigate groundwater and surface water 
22.33 	interaction in and around White Bear Lake 
22.34 	and surrounding northeast metropolitan 
23.1 	lakes, including seepage rate determinations, 
23.2 	water quality of groundwater and surface 
23.3 	water, isotope analyses, lake level analyses, 
23.4 	water balance determination, and creation 
23.5 	of a calibrated groundwater flow model. 
23.6 	The council shall use the results to prepare 
23.7 	guidance for other areas to use in addressing 
23.8 	groundwater and surface water interaction 
23.9 	issues. This is a onetime appropriation and is 
23.10 	available until June 30, 2016.
23.11 	(c) $1,250,000 the first year and $1,250,000 
23.12 	the second year are for metropolitan regional 
23.13 	groundwater planning to achieve water 
23.14 	supply reliability and sustainability, including 
23.15 	determination of a sustainable regional 
23.16 	balance of surface water and groundwater, a 
23.17 	feasibility assessment of potential solutions 
23.18 	to rebalance regional water use and identify 
23.19 	potential solutions to address emerging 
23.20 	subregional water supply issues such as the 
23.21 	northeast metro, and development of an 
23.22 	implementation plan that addresses regional 
23.23 	targets and timelines and defines short- and 
23.24 	medium-term milestones for achieving the 
23.25 	desirable surface water and groundwater 
23.26 	regional balance. By January 15, 2014, the 
23.27 	commissioner shall submit an interim report 
23.28 	on the expenditure of this appropriation to 
23.29 	the chairs and ranking minority members 
23.30 	of the house of representatives and senate 
23.31 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction 
23.32 	over environment and natural resources 
23.33 	finance and policy and the clean water fund.

23.34	Sec. 10. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
 	$
	615,000
	$
	615,000
	
24.1 	$615,000 the first year and $615,000 the 
24.2 	second year are for developing county 
24.3 	geologic atlases. This appropriation is 
24.4 	available until June 30, 2018.

24.5	Sec. 11. LEGISLATURE
 	$
	14,000
	$
	14,000
	
24.6 	$14,000 the first year and $14,000 the second 
24.7 	year are for the Legislative Coordinating 
24.8 	Commission for the Web site required 
24.9 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, 
24.10 	subdivision 10, including detailed mapping.

24.11 	Sec. 12. [17.9891] PURPOSE.
24.12 	The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, 
24.13 	commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, 
24.14 	may implement a Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program whereby a 
24.15 	producer who demonstrates practices and management sufficient to protect water quality 
24.16 	is certified for up to ten years and presumed to be contributing the producer's share of 
24.17 	any targeted reduction of water pollutants during the certification period. The program 
24.18 	is voluntary. The program will first be piloted in selected watersheds across the state, 
24.19 	until such time as the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of natural 
24.20 	resources, commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil 
24.21 	Resources, determines the program is ready for expansion.

24.22 	Sec. 13. [17.9892] DEFINITIONS.
24.23 		Subdivision 1.Application. The definitions in this section apply to sections 
24.24 	17.9891 to 17.993.
24.25 		 Subd. 2.Technical assistance. "Technical assistance" means professional, advisory, 
24.26 	or cost share assistance provided to individuals in order to achieve certification.
24.27 		Subd. 3.Certifying agent. "Certifying agent" means a person who is authorized 
24.28 	by the commissioner to assess producers to determine whether a producer satisfies the 
24.29 	standards of the program.
24.30 		Subd. 4.Certification. "Certification" means a producer has demonstrated 
24.31 	compliance with all applicable environmental rules and statutes for all of the producer's 
24.32 	owned and rented agricultural land and has achieved a satisfactory score through the 
24.33 	certification instrument as verified by a certifying agent.
25.1 		Subd. 5.Eligible land. "Eligible land" means all acres of a producer's agricultural 
25.2 	operation, whether contiguous or not, that are under the effective control of the producer 
25.3 	at the time the producer enters into the program and that the producer operates with 
25.4 	equipment, labor, and management.
25.5 		Subd. 6.Effective control. "Effective control" means possession of land by 
25.6 	ownership, written lease, or other legal agreement and authority to act as decision 
25.7 	maker for the day-to-day management of the operation at the time the producer achieves 
25.8 	certification and for the required certification period.
25.9 		Subd. 7.Program. "Program" means the Minnesota agricultural water quality 
25.10 	certification program.

25.11 	Sec. 14. [17.9893] CERTIFICATION INSTRUMENT.
25.12 	The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, 
25.13 	commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, 
25.14 	shall develop an analytical instrument to assess the water quality practices and 
25.15 	management of agricultural operations. This instrument shall be used to certify that the 
25.16 	water quality practices and management of an agricultural operation are consistent with 
25.17 	state water quality goals and standards. The commissioner shall define a satisfactory score 
25.18 	for certification purposes. The certification instrument tool shall:
25.19 	(1) integrate applicable existing regulatory requirements;
25.20 	(2) utilize technology and prioritize ease of use;
25.21 	(3) utilize a water quality index or score applicable to the landscape;
25.22 	(4) incorporate a process for updates and revisions as practices, management, and 
25.23 	technology changes become established and approved; and
25.24 	(5) comprehensively address water quality impacts.

25.25 	Sec. 15. [17.9894] CERTIFYING AGENT LICENSE.
25.26 		Subdivision 1.License. A person who offers certification services to producers 
25.27 	as part of the program must satisfy all criteria in subdivision 2 and be licensed by 
25.28 	the commissioner. A certifying agent is ineligible to provide certification services 
25.29 	to any producer to whom the certifying agent has also provided technical assistance. 
25.30 	Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner may set license fees.
25.31 		Subd. 2.Certifying agent requirements. In order to be licensed as a certifying 
25.32 	agent, a person must:
26.1 	(1) be an agricultural conservation professional employed by the state of Minnesota, 
26.2 	a soil and water conservation district, or the Natural Resources Conservation Service or a 
26.3 	Minnesota certified crop advisor as recognized by the American Society of Agronomy; 
26.4 	(2) have passed a comprehensive exam, as set by the commissioner, evaluating 
26.5 	knowledge of water quality, soil health, best farm management techniques, and the 
26.6 	certification instrument; and
26.7 	(3) maintain continuing education requirements as set by the commissioner.

26.8 	Sec. 16. [17.9895] DUTIES OF A CERTIFYING AGENT.
26.9 		Subdivision 1.Duties. A certifying agent shall conduct a formal certification 
26.10 	assessment utilizing the certification instrument to determine whether a producer meets 
26.11 	program criteria. If a producer satisfies all requirements, the certifying agent shall notify 
26.12 	the commissioner of the producer's eligibility and request that the commissioner issue a 
26.13 	certificate. All records and documents used in the assessment shall be compiled by the 
26.14 	certifying agent and submitted to the commissioner.
26.15 		Subd. 2.Violations. (a) In the event a certifying agent violates any provision of 
26.16 	sections 17.9891 to 17.993 or an order of the commissioner, the commissioner may issue a 
26.17 	written warning or a correction order and may suspend or revoke a license.
26.18 	(b) If the commissioner suspends or revokes a license, the certifying agent has ten 
26.19 	days from the date of suspension or revocation to appeal. If a certifying agent appeals, the 
26.20 	commissioner shall hold an administrative hearing within 30 days of the suspension or 
26.21 	revocation of the license, or longer by agreement of the parties, to determine whether the 
26.22 	license is revoked or suspended. The commissioner shall issue an opinion within 30 days. 
26.23 	If a person notifies the commissioner that the person intends to contest the commissioner's 
26.24 	opinion, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct a hearing in accordance with 
26.25 	the applicable provisions of chapter 14 for hearings in contested cases.

26.26 	Sec. 17. [17.9896] CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES.
26.27 		Subdivision 1.Producer duties. A producer who seeks certification of eligible land 
26.28 	shall conduct an initial assessment using the certification instrument, obtain technical 
26.29 	assistance if necessary to achieve a satisfactory score on the certification instrument, and 
26.30 	apply for certification from a licensed certifying agent.
26.31 		Subd. 2.Additional land. Once certified, if a producer obtains effective control 
26.32 	of additional agricultural land, the producer must notify a certifying agent and obtain 
26.33 	certification of the additional land within one year in order to retain the producer's original 
26.34 	certification.
27.1 		Subd. 3.Violations. (a) The commissioner may revoke a certification if the 
27.2 	producer fails to obtain certification on any additional land for which the producer obtains 
27.3 	effective control.
27.4 	(b) The commissioner may revoke a certification and seek reimbursement of any 
27.5 	monetary benefit a producer may have received due to certification from a producer who 
27.6 	fails to maintain certification criteria.
27.7 	(c) If the commissioner revokes a certification, the producer has ten days from the 
27.8 	date of suspension or revocation to appeal. If a producer appeals, the commissioner shall 
27.9 	hold an administrative hearing within 30 days of the suspension or revocation of the 
27.10 	certification, or longer by agreement of the parties, to determine whether the certification 
27.11 	is revoked or suspended. The commissioner shall issue an opinion within 30 days. If the 
27.12 	producer notifies the commissioner that the producer intends to contest the commissioner's 
27.13 	opinion, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct a hearing in accordance with 
27.14 	the applicable provisions of chapter 14 for hearings in contested cases.

27.15 	Sec. 18. [17.9897] CERTIFICATION CERTAINTY.
27.16 	(a) Once a producer is certified, the producer:
27.17 	(1) retains certification for up to ten years from the date of certification if the 
27.18 	producer complies with the certification agreement, even if the producer does not comply 
27.19 	with new state water protection laws or rules that take effect during the certification period;
27.20 	(2) is presumed to be meeting the producer's contribution to any targeted reduction 
27.21 	of pollutants during the certification period;
27.22 	(3) is required to continue implementation of practices that maintain the producer's 
27.23 	certification; and
27.24 	(4) is required to retain all records pertaining to certification.
27.25 	(b) Paragraph (a) does not preclude enforcement of a local ordinance or rule by a 
27.26 	local unit of government.

27.27 	Sec. 19. [17.9898] AUDITS.
27.28 	The commissioner shall perform random audits of producers and certifying agents to 
27.29 	ensure compliance with the program. All producers and certifying agents shall cooperate 
27.30 	with the commissioner during these audits and provide all relevant documents to the 
27.31 	commissioner for inspection and copying. Any delay, obstruction, or refusal to cooperate 
27.32 	with the commissioner's audit or falsification of or failure to provide required data or 
27.33 	information is a violation subject to the provisions of section 17.9895, subdivision 2, or 
27.34 	17.9896, subdivision 3.

28.1 	Sec. 20. [17.9899] DATA.
28.2 	All data collected under the program that identifies a producer or a producer's 
28.3 	location are considered nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 9, or 
28.4 	private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12. The commissioner 
28.5 	shall make available summary data of program outcomes on data classified as private 
28.6 	or nonpublic under this section.

28.7 	Sec. 21. [17.991] RULEMAKING.
28.8 	The commissioner may adopt rules to implement the program.

28.9 	Sec. 22. [17.992] REPORTS.
28.10 	The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, 
28.11 	commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, 
28.12 	shall issue a biennial report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
28.13 	committees with jurisdiction over agricultural policy on the status of the program.

28.14 	Sec. 23. [17.993] FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
28.15 	The commissioner may use contributions from gifts or other state accounts, provided 
28.16 	that the purpose of the expenditure is consistent with the purpose of the accounts, for 
28.17 	grants, loans, or other financial assistance.

28.18 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 114D.50, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
28.19 		Subd. 6.Restoration evaluations.  The Board of Water and Soil Resources may 
28.20 	convene a technical evaluation panel comprised of five members, including one technical 
28.21 	representative from the Board of Water and Soil Resources, one technical representative 
28.22 	from the Department of Natural Resources, one technical expert from the University of 
28.23 	Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and two representatives 
28.24 	with expertise related to the project being evaluated. The board may add a technical 
28.25 	representative from a unit of federal or local government. The members of the technical 
28.26 	evaluation panel may not be associated with the restoration, may vary depending upon the 
28.27 	projects being reviewed, and shall avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Each year, the 
28.28 	board may assign a coordinator to identify a sample of up to ten habitat restoration projects 
28.29 	completed with clean water funding. The coordinator shall secure the restoration plans for 
28.30 	the projects specified and direct the technical evaluation panel to evaluate the restorations 
28.31 	relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration 
28.32 	plan and, when applicable, to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation 
29.1 	establishment and enhancement guidelines. The coordinator shall summarize the findings 
29.2 	of the panel and provide a report to the chairs of the respective house of representatives 
29.3 	and senate policy and finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and 
29.4 	spending from the clean water fund. The report shall determine if the restorations are 
29.5 	meeting planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if 
29.6 	necessary, recommendations on improving restorations. The report shall be focused on 
29.7 	improving future restorations. Up to one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from 
29.8 	the clean water fund may be used for restoration evaluations under this section.

29.9 	Sec. 25. PUBLIC WATER ACCESS SITE DESIGN AND BEST MANAGEMENT 
29.10 	PRACTICES.
 29.11 	Beginning March 1, 2014, the commissioner of natural resources shall utilize the 
29.12 	applicable design standards and best management practices developed under this article 
29.13 	when designing and constructing new public water access sites and renovating existing 
29.14 	sites. The commissioner shall make the design standards and best management practices 
29.15 	developed under this article available on the Department of Natural Resources Web site 
29.16 	and notify local units of government of the standards and practices.

29.17 	ARTICLE 2
29.18 	PARKS AND TRAILS FUND

29.19	Section 1. PARKS AND TRAILS FUND APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
29.20 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
29.21 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the 
29.22 	parks and trails fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The 
29.23 	figures "2014" and "2015" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
29.24 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, or June 30, 2015, respectively. 
29.25 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2014. "The second year" is fiscal year 2015. "The biennium" 
29.26 	is fiscal years 2014 and 2015. All appropriations in this article are onetime.

29.27				APPROPRIATIONS
	
29.28				Available for the Year
	
29.29				Ending June 30
	
29.30					2014
		2015

29.31	Sec. 2. PARKS AND TRAILS

29.32	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	41,611,000
	$
	41,880,000
	
30.1 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
30.2 	purpose are specified in the following 
30.3 	sections.

30.4	Subd. 2.Availability of Appropriation
 					
30.5 	Money appropriated in this article may not 
30.6 	be spent on activities unless they are directly 
30.7 	related to and necessary for a specific 
30.8 	appropriation and the recipient retains 
30.9 	documentation sufficient to justify the use of 
30.10 	the funds. Money appropriated in this article 
30.11 	must be spent in accordance with Minnesota 
30.12 	Management and Budget's Guidance to 
30.13 	Agencies on Legacy Fund Expenditure. 
30.14 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
30.15 	16A.28, and unless otherwise specified in 
30.16 	this article, fiscal year 2014 appropriations 
30.17 	are available until June 30, 2015, and fiscal 
30.18 	year 2015 appropriations are available until 
30.19 	June 30, 2016. If a project receives federal 
30.20 	funds, the time period of the appropriation is 
30.21 	extended to equal the availability of federal 
30.22 	funding.

30.23
30.24	Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL 
RESOURCES
 	$
	23,851,000
	$
	23,787,000
	
30.25 	(a) $7,975,000 the first year and $5,695,000 
30.26 	the second year are for state parks and trails 
30.27 	projects. Of this amount:
30.28 	(1) $400,000 is for the Rat River Bridge on 
30.29 	the Arrowhead State Trail;
30.30 	(2) $250,000 is for the Brown's Creek 
30.31 	State Trail, including interpretive signs, 
30.32 	invasive species control, and regional trail 
30.33 	connections;
31.1 	(3) $300,000 is for a segment of the Central 
31.2 	Lakes State Trail from Fergus Falls to 
31.3 	Ashby/Lake Christina;
31.4 	(4) $500,000 is for the Hadley Bridge on the 
31.5 	Gateway State Trail;
31.6 	(5) $750,000 is for a segment of the 
31.7 	Gitchi-Gami State Trail from Beaver Bay to 
31.8 	West Road;
31.9 	(6) $850,000 is for the Steamboat Loop on 
31.10 	the Heartland State Trail;
31.11 	(7) $750,000 is for the Steamboat River 
31.12 	Bridge on the Heartland State Trail;
31.13 	(8) $400,000 is for the Fish Hook River Red 
31.14 	Bridge in Park Rapids on the Heartland State 
31.15 	Trail;
31.16 	(9) $20,000 is for a trail in Itasca State Park;
31.17 	(10) $200,000 is for a trail from Park Rapids 
31.18 	to Itasca State Park;
31.19 	(11) $300,000 is for acquisition of a trail 
31.20 	segment from Faribault to Dundas for the 
31.21 	Mill Towns State Trail;
31.22 	(12) $800,000 is for a bridge building over 
31.23 	the Cannon River in Faribault for the Mills 
31.24 	Town State Trail;
31.25 	(13) $300,000 is for a segment of the 
31.26 	Minnesota Valley State Trail from Shakopee 
31.27 	Memorial Park to Bloomington Ferry Bridge;
31.28 	(14) $2,500,000 is for a segment of 
31.29 	the Minnesota Valley State Trail from 
31.30 	Bloomington Ferry Bridge to Fort Snelling 
31.31 	State Park;
32.1 	(15) $300,000 is for the Moose Horn River 
32.2 	Bridge No. 1 on the Willard Munger State 
32.3 	Trail;
32.4 	(16) $75,000 is for the Paul Bunyan State 
32.5 	Trail near Clausen Avenue;
32.6 	(17) $500,000 is for a segment of the Paul 
32.7 	Bunyan State Trail from Crow Wing State 
32.8 	Park;
32.9 	(18) $75,000 is for interpretive signs on the 
32.10 	Root River State Trail;
32.11 	(19) $1,750,000 is for a segment of the Root 
32.12 	River State Trail from Whalen to Rushford;
32.13 	(20) $2,250,000 is for a segment of the 
32.14 	Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail from 
32.15 	Waterville to Mankato; and
32.16 	(21) $400,000 is for a segment of the 
32.17 	Shooting Star State Trail from Rose Creek 
32.18 	to Austin.
32.19 	(b) $1,549,000 the first year and $1,549,000 
32.20 	the second year are for education and 
32.21 	interpretive services at state parks, recreation 
32.22 	areas, and trails.
32.23 	(c) $643,000 the first year and $643,000 
32.24 	the second year are for outreach, including 
32.25 	enhanced, integrated, and accessible 
32.26 	Web-based information for park and trail 
32.27 	users; joint marketing and promotional 
32.28 	efforts for all parks and trails of regional 
32.29 	or statewide significance; and support of 
32.30 	activities of a parks and trails legacy advisory 
32.31 	committee.
32.32 	(d) $1,500,000 the first year is for acquisition 
32.33 	of land for Lake Bronson State Park, Sibley 
32.34 	State Park, and Minneopa State Park.
33.1 	(e) $1,000,000 the first year and $2,140,000 
33.2 	the second year are for improvements at state 
33.3 	parks and state recreation areas, including a 
33.4 	new visitor center at Tettegouche State Park, 
33.5 	renewable energy improvements, and new 
33.6 	camper cabins.
33.7 	(f) $720,000 the second year is for 
33.8 	campground upgrades at Whitewater State 
33.9 	Park.
33.10 	(g) $1,933,000 the first year and $3,934,000 
33.11 	the second year are for improvements at state 
33.12 	parks and state recreation areas, including 
33.13 	conversion of facilities to rental facilities, 
33.14 	replacement of vault toilets and fishing 
33.15 	piers, renewable energy improvements, and 
33.16 	accessibility improvements.
33.17 	(h) $829,000 the first year and $830,000 
33.18 	the second year are for restoration and 
33.19 	enhancement activities at state parks and state 
33.20 	recreation areas, including invasive species 
33.21 	management on approximately 13,800 acres, 
33.22 	native plant restorations on approximately 
33.23 	1,800 acres, and implementation of best 
33.24 	management practices at approximately 50 
33.25 	public water access sites.
33.26 	(i) $4,925,000 the first year and $4,938,000 
33.27 	the second year are for grants under 
33.28 	Minnesota Statutes, section 85.535, to 
33.29 	acquire, develop, improve, and restore 
33.30 	parks and trails of regional or statewide 
33.31 	significance outside of the metropolitan area, 
33.32 	as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
33.33 	473.121, subdivision 2. Up to 2.5 percent 
33.34 	of the total appropriation may be used for 
33.35 	administering the grants.
34.1 	(j) $3,497,000 the first year and $3,338,000 
34.2 	the second year are for grants for parks and 
34.3 	trails of regional or statewide significance 
34.4 	outside of the metropolitan area. Of this 
34.5 	amount:
34.6 	(1) $1,338,000 is for development of 
34.7 	the Swedish Immigrant Trail, including 
34.8 	amenities in Taylors Falls connecting the 
34.9 	trail to Interstate State Park;
34.10 	(2) $75,000 is for rehabilitation of Sunrise 
34.11 	Prairie Trail;
34.12 	(3) $500,000 is for construction of the Lowell 
34.13 	to Lakewalk Trail in Duluth;
34.14 	(4) $250,000 is for the Mesabi Trail;
34.15 	(5) $920,000 is for extensions and 
34.16 	connections to the Rocori Trail;
34.17 	(6) $1,000,000 is for extensions and 
34.18 	connections to the Lake Wobegon Trail;
34.19 	(7) $100,000 is for the Beaver Bay Trail, 
34.20 	including trailhead amenities;
34.21 	(8) $468,000 is for extension of the Dakota 
34.22 	Rail Trail to Lester Prairie;
34.23 	(9) $1,000,000 is for the Red Wing 
34.24 	Riverfront;
34.25 	(10) $184,000 is for trail connections and 
34.26 	camping facilities in Aitkin County for 
34.27 	the Mississippi River parks and water trail 
34.28 	project; and
34.29 	(11) $1,000,000 is for trail enhancement, 
34.30 	land acquisition, and other improvements at 
34.31 	Sauk River Regional Park.
34.32 	(k) The commissioner shall contract for 
34.33 	services with Conservation Corps Minnesota 
35.1 	for restoration, maintenance, and other 
35.2 	activities under this section for at least 
35.3 	$2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the 
35.4 	second year. A recipient of a grant awarded 
35.5 	under this section must give consideration 
35.6 	to and make timely written contact with 
35.7 	Conservation Corps Minnesota for possible 
35.8 	use of the corps' services to contract for 
35.9 	restoration and enhancement services. For 
35.10 	projects with the potential to need historic 
35.11 	preservation services, the commissioner or 
35.12 	a recipient of a grant awarded under this 
35.13 	section must give consideration to and make 
35.14 	timely written contact with the Northern 
35.15 	Bedrock Conservation Corps for possible use 
35.16 	of the corps' services.

35.17	Sec. 4. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
 	$
	17,755,000
	$
	18,088,000
	
35.18 	(a) $17,755,000 the first year and $18,088,000 
35.19 	the second year are for parks and trails of 
35.20 	regional or statewide significance in the 
35.21 	metropolitan area, distributed according to 
35.22 	paragraphs (b) to (k).
35.23 	(b) $1,490,000 the first year and $1,541,000 
35.24 	the second year are for grants to Anoka 
35.25 	County for:
35.26 	(1) a trail connection for Bunker Hills 
35.27 	Regional Park from Avocet Street;
35.28 	(2) restoration, including erosion repair, 
35.29 	along Pleasure Creek and the Mississippi 
35.30 	River Regional Trail at the Coon Rapids 
35.31 	Dam Regional Park;
35.32 	(3) a new playground and surfacing at Lake 
35.33 	George Regional Park;
36.1 	(4) land acquisition for the Rice Creek Chain 
36.2 	of Lakes Park Reserve;
36.3 	(5) improvements at Rice Creek Chain of 
36.4 	Lakes Park Reserve, including maintenance 
36.5 	shop rehabilitation, road and parking 
36.6 	construction, fencing, beach improvements, 
36.7 	and roof repairs;
36.8 	(6) trail reconstruction under East River 
36.9 	Road on the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park 
36.10 	Reserve;
36.11 	(7) contracts with Conservation Corps 
36.12 	Minnesota;
36.13 	(8) a volunteer or resource coordinator 
36.14 	position;
36.15 	(9) a landscape designer or architect;
36.16 	(10) design, engineering, and construction of 
36.17 	the Central Anoka County Regional Trail;
36.18 	(11) road rehabilitation at Lake George 
36.19 	Regional Park;
36.20 	(12) reconstruction of a retaining wall on the 
36.21 	Mississippi River Regional Trail;
36.22 	(13) a trail connection on the Mississippi 
36.23 	River Regional Trail to connect Mississippi 
36.24 	West Regional Park to the city of Ramsey;
36.25 	(14) improvements of the Heritage 
36.26 	Laboratory/Day Camp at the Rice Creek 
36.27 	Chain of Lakes Park Reserve; and
36.28 	(15) trail reconstruction on the Rice Creek 
36.29 	North Regional Trail from Lexington Avenue 
36.30 	to Golden Lake Elementary School.
36.31 	(c) $273,000 the first year and $283,000 
36.32 	the second year are for grants to the city of 
37.1 	Bloomington to reconstruct parking lots at the 
37.2 	Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve.
37.3 	(d) $347,000 the first year and $361,000 the 
37.4 	second year are for grants to Carver County 
37.5 	to connect the Minnesota River Bluffs 
37.6 	Regional Trail and Southwest Regional Trail 
37.7 	and for trail and bridge construction on the 
37.8 	Minnesota River Bluff Regional Trail.
37.9 	(e) $1,235,000 the first year and $1,277,000 
37.10 	the second year are for grants to Dakota 
37.11 	County for:
37.12 	(1) engineering to extend the Mississippi 
37.13 	River Regional Trail and Big Rivers Regional 
37.14 	Trails, including extensions to St. Paul, and 
37.15 	to provide a connection to Lilydale Regional 
37.16 	Trail;
37.17 	(2) a trail connection for the Mississippi 
37.18 	River Regional Trail to connect St. Paul and 
37.19 	to construct a bridge over railroad tracks;
37.20 	(3) engineering and construction of regional 
37.21 	trail segments throughout the county;
37.22 	(4) engineering and construction of a bridge 
37.23 	and trails through the Minnesota Zoological 
37.24 	Garden on the North Creek Regional 
37.25 	Greenway; and
37.26 	(5) resource management of the county's 
37.27 	park and trail system.
37.28 	(f) $5,595,000 the first year and $5,256,000 
37.29 	the second are for grants to the Minneapolis 
37.30 	Park and Recreation Board for:
37.31 	(1) design and construction of trail loops, 
37.32 	river access areas, landscapes, and storm 
37.33 	water management improvements at Above 
37.34 	the Falls Regional Park;
38.1 	(2) land acquisition at Above the Falls 
38.2 	Regional Park;
38.3 	(3) a master plan and trail design for Central 
38.4 	Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park;
38.5 	(4) design and construction of outdoor 
38.6 	adventure recreational facilities in the 
38.7 	Central Riverfront;
38.8 	(5) trail, path, and shoreline improvements 
38.9 	and play area rehabilitation at 
38.10 	Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park;
38.11 	(6) trail, shoreline, water access, picnic, sail 
38.12 	boat facility, and concession improvements at 
38.13 	Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park;
38.14 	(7) a bird sanctuary, trail stabilization, habitat 
38.15 	restoration, accessibility improvements, and 
38.16 	construction of new entrances at Minneapolis 
38.17 	Chain of Lakes Regional Park; and
38.18 	(8) a trail connection for the Minnehaha 
38.19 	Parkway Regional Trail below Lyndale 
38.20 	Avenue.
38.21 	(g) $1,228,000 the first year and $1,523,000 
38.22 	the second year are for grants to Ramsey 
38.23 	County for:
38.24 	(1) wayfinding for cross-country ski trails 
38.25 	at Battle Creek Regional Park, Tamarack 
38.26 	Nature Center, and Grass-Vadnais-Snail 
38.27 	Lakes Regional Park;
38.28 	(2) contracts with Conservation Corps 
38.29 	Minnesota;
38.30 	(3) design and construction of an early 
38.31 	learning center at Tamarack Nature Center 
38.32 	and pedestrian connections, landscape 
38.33 	restoration, signage, and other site amenities 
38.34 	at Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park;
39.1 	(4) improvements to Tamarack Nature 
39.2 	Center;
39.3 	(5) building and supporting a volunteer corps 
39.4 	for Tamarack Nature Center and Discovery 
39.5 	Hollow;
39.6 	(6) trail development to connect Tamarack 
39.7 	Nature Center to the Otter Lake boat launch;
39.8 	(7) a trail on Vadnais Lake, storm water 
39.9 	management improvements, and site 
39.10 	amenities at Grass-Vadnais-Snail Lakes 
39.11 	Regional Park;
39.12 	(8) trail development and connection, storm 
39.13 	water management improvements, and site 
39.14 	amenities at Rice Creek North Regional 
39.15 	Trail; and
39.16 	(9) the Bruce Vento Regional Trail.
39.17 	(h) $2,424,000 the first year and $2,507,000 
39.18 	the second year are for grants to the city of 
39.19 	Saint Paul for:
39.20 	(1) an education coordinator;
39.21 	(2) a volunteer coordinator;
39.22 	(3) Como Regional Park shuttle operation;
39.23 	(4) a trail connection to connect Harriet 
39.24 	Island to the Mississippi Regional Trail;
39.25 	(5) Estabrook Road reconstruction and 
39.26 	lighting upgrades at Como Regional Park; 
39.27 	and
39.28 	(6) a trail connection and railroad bridge 
39.29 	reconstruction at Lilydale Regional Park.
39.30 	(i) $620,000 the first year and $640,000 the 
39.31 	second year are for grants to Scott County 
39.32 	for an entrance road, parking, and trails at 
39.33 	Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park.
40.1 	(j) $3,667,000 the first year and $3,796,000 
40.2 	the second year are for grants to Three Rivers 
40.3 	Park District for:
40.4 	(1) a trail connection to connect Grand 
40.5 	Rounds to Nine Mile Creek Trail;
40.6 	(2) a trail bridge over County State-Aid 
40.7 	Highway 19 for the Lake Minnetonka LRT 
40.8 	Regional Trail;
40.9 	(3) trail construction on the Crystal Lake 
40.10 	Regional Trail;
40.11 	(4) trail construction on the Bassett Creek 
40.12 	Regional Trail;
40.13 	(5) trail construction on the Twin Lakes 
40.14 	Regional Trail; and
40.15 	(6) trail construction on the Nine Mile Creek 
40.16 	Regional Trail.
40.17 	(k) $876,000 the first year and $904,000 the 
40.18 	second year are for grants to Washington 
40.19 	County for:
40.20 	(1) parking, buildings, and other 
40.21 	improvements at Swim Pond;
40.22 	(2) a trail connection that connects the Point 
40.23 	Douglas Regional Trail to Wisconsin; and
40.24 	(3) improvements to Hardwood Creek 
40.25 	Regional Trail, including extending the trail 
40.26 	towards Bald Eagle Regional Park.
40.27 	(l) A recipient of a grant awarded under this 
40.28 	section must give consideration to and make 
40.29 	timely written contact with Conservation 
40.30 	Corps Minnesota for possible use of corps 
40.31 	services to contract for restoration and 
40.32 	enhancement services. For projects with 
40.33 	the potential to need historic preservation 
41.1 	services, a recipient of a grant awarded 
41.2 	under this section must give consideration 
41.3 	to and make timely written contact with the 
41.4 	Northern Bedrock Conservation Corps for 
41.5 	possible use of the corps' services.

41.6	Sec. 5. LEGISLATURE
 	$
	5,000
	$
	5,000
	
41.7 	$5,000 the first year and $5,000 the second 
41.8 	year are for the Legislative Coordinating 
41.9 	Commission for the Web site required 
41.10 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, 
41.11 	subdivision 10, including detailed mapping.

41.12 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 35, is amended to read:
41.13 		Subd. 35.Public official. "Public official" means any:
41.14 	(1) member of the legislature;
41.15 	(2) individual employed by the legislature as secretary of the senate, legislative 
41.16 	auditor, chief clerk of the house of representatives, revisor of statutes, or researcher, 
41.17 	legislative analyst, or attorney in the Office of Senate Counsel and Research or House 
41.18 	Research;
41.19 	(3) constitutional officer in the executive branch and the officer's chief administrative 
41.20 	deputy;
41.21 	(4) solicitor general or deputy, assistant, or special assistant attorney general;
41.22 	(5) commissioner, deputy commissioner, or assistant commissioner of any state 
41.23 	department or agency as listed in section 15.01 or 15.06, or the state chief information 
41.24 	officer;
41.25 	(6) member, chief administrative officer, or deputy chief administrative officer of a 
41.26 	state board or commission that has either the power to adopt, amend, or repeal rules under 
41.27 	chapter 14, or the power to adjudicate contested cases or appeals under chapter 14;
41.28 	(7) individual employed in the executive branch who is authorized to adopt, amend, 
41.29 	or repeal rules under chapter 14 or adjudicate contested cases under chapter 14;
41.30 	(8) executive director of the State Board of Investment;
41.31 	(9) deputy of any official listed in clauses (7) and (8);
41.32 	(10) judge of the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals;
42.1 	(11) administrative law judge or compensation judge in the State Office of 
42.2 	Administrative Hearings or unemployment law judge in the Department of Employment 
42.3 	and Economic Development;
42.4 	(12) member, regional administrator, division director, general counsel, or operations 
42.5 	manager of the Metropolitan Council;
42.6 	(13) member or chief administrator of a metropolitan agency;
42.7 	(14) director of the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement in the 
42.8 	Department of Public Safety;
42.9 	(15) member or executive director of the Higher Education Facilities Authority;
42.10 	(16) member of the board of directors or president of Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.;
42.11 	(17) member of the board of directors or executive director of the Minnesota State 
42.12 	High School League;
42.13 	(18) member of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority established in section 473.755;
42.14 	(19) citizen member of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources;
42.15 	(20) manager of a watershed district, or member of a watershed management 
42.16 	organization as defined under section 103B.205, subdivision 13;
42.17 	(21) supervisor of a soil and water conservation district;
42.18 	(22) director of Explore Minnesota Tourism;
42.19 	(23) citizen member of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council established 
42.20 	in section 97A.056;
42.21 	(24) citizen member of the Clean Water Council established in section 114D.30; or
42.22 	(25) member or chief executive of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority 
42.23 	established in section 473J.07; or
42.24 	(26) member of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission.

42.25 	Sec. 7. [85.536] GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS 
42.26 	COMMISSION.
42.27 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; purpose. The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and 
42.28 	Trails Commission is created to undertake system planning and provide recommendations 
42.29 	to the legislature for grants funded by the parks and trails fund to counties and cities 
42.30 	outside of the seven-county metropolitan area for parks and trails of regional significance.
42.31 		Subd. 2.Commission. The commission shall include 12 members appointed by 
42.32 	the governor representing each of the regional parks and trails districts determined under 
42.33 	subdivision 3. Membership terms, compensation, removal of members, and filling of 
42.34 	vacancies are as provided in section 15.0575.
43.1 		Subd. 3.Districts; plans and hearings. (a) The commissioner of natural resources, 
43.2 	in consultation with the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition, shall 
43.3 	establish 12 regional parks and trails districts in the state encompassing the area outside the 
43.4 	seven-county metropolitan area. The commissioner shall establish districts by combining 
43.5 	counties and may not assign a county to more than one district.
43.6 	(b) Counties within each district may jointly prepare, after consultation with all 
43.7 	affected municipalities, and submit to the commission, and from time to time revise 
43.8 	and resubmit to the commission, a master plan for the acquisition and development of 
43.9 	parks and trails of regional significance located within the district. The counties, after 
43.10 	consultation with the commission, shall jointly hold a public hearing on the proposed plan 
43.11 	and budget at a time and place determined by the counties. Not less than 15 days before 
43.12 	the hearing, the counties shall provide notice of the hearing stating the date, time, and 
43.13 	place of the hearing, and the place where the proposed plan and budget may be examined 
43.14 	by any interested person. At any hearing, interested persons shall be permitted to present 
43.15 	their views on the plan and budget.
43.16 	(c) The commission shall review each master plan to determine whether it meets 
43.17 	the conditions of subdivision 4. If it does not, the commission shall return the plan with 
43.18 	its comments to the district for revision and resubmittal.
43.19 		Subd. 4.Regional significance. For a park or trail to be considered of regional 
43.20 	significance under this section:
43.21 	(1) the park or trail must be natural resource-based;
43.22 	(2) at least 30 percent of the park or trail user visits in a calendar year must be from 
43.23 	users who do not reside within the area of jurisdiction of the governmental unit that has 
43.24 	the financial and legal responsibility to own, operate, and maintain the park or trail; 
43.25 	(3) the total usage of the park or trail must exceed 20,000 visitors in a one-year period. 
43.26 	Park or trail attendance may be demonstrated by validated survey methods, actual user 
43.27 	data statistics, or another objective and quantifiable measure that is accurate and reliable;
43.28 	(4) for parks, the park must be at least 100 acres in size; and
43.29 	(5) for trails, the trail connects or will connect to existing state or regional trails as 
43.30 	demonstrated by the applicant.
43.31 		Subd. 5.Recommendations. (a) The commission shall submit biennial 
43.32 	recommendations on appropriations of money from the parks and trails fund to the 
43.33 	legislature no later than January 15 each odd-numbered year. The commission may submit 
43.34 	supplemental recommendations by January 15 in even-numbered years.
43.35 	(b) In recommending grants under this section, the commission shall make 
43.36 	recommendations consistent with master plans.
44.1 	(c) The commission shall determine recommended grant amounts through an 
44.2 	adopted merit-based evaluation process that includes the level of local financial support. 
44.3 	The evaluation process is not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and 
44.4 	section 14.386 does not apply.
44.5 	(d) When recommending grants, the commission shall consider balance of the grant 
44.6 	benefits across greater Minnesota. Grant requests offering a nonstate match of at least 25 
44.7 	percent of the total eligible project costs shall be preferred.
44.8 	(e) Grants may be recommended only for:
44.9 	(1) parks and trails included in a plan approved by the commission under subdivision 
44.10 	3; and
44.11 	(2) trails that connect or will connect to existing state or regional trails as 
44.12 	demonstrated by the applicant.
44.13 		Subd. 6.Administration. The Department of Natural Resources shall provide 
44.14 	administrative support for the commission.
44.15 		Subd. 7.Chair. The commission shall annually elect from among its members a 
44.16 	chair and other officers necessary for the performance of its duties.
44.17 		Subd. 8.Meetings. The commission shall meet at least twice each year. 
44.18 	Commission meetings are subject to chapter 13D.
44.19 		Subd. 9.Conflict of interest. A member of the commission may not participate in 
44.20 	or vote on a decision of the commission relating to an organization in which the member 
44.21 	has either a direct or indirect financial interest.
44.22 		Subd. 10.Definition. For purposes of this section, "commission" means the Greater 
44.23 	Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under this section.

44.24 	Sec. 8. MISSISSIPPI WHITEWATER PARK.
 44.25 	The appropriation in Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 5, subdivision 6, 
44.26 	from the water recreation account in the natural resources fund for a cooperative project 
44.27 	with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to develop the Mississippi Whitewater 
44.28 	Park is available until June 30, 2018.