1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; appropriating money from outdoor heritage 
1.3 	fund; modifying requirements for use of outdoor heritage fund money and for 
1.4 	Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council; modifying previous appropriations;
1.5 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivisions 2, 5, 8, by 
1.6 	adding subdivisions; Laws 2012, chapter 264, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5; 
1.7 	Laws 2014, chapter 256, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5.
1.8 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.9	Section 1. OUTDOOR HERITAGE APPROPRIATION.
 	
1.10 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
1.11 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the outdoor 
1.12 	heritage fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2016" and "2017" 
1.13 	used in this act mean that the appropriations listed under the figure are available for the 
1.14 	fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, respectively. The "first year" is fiscal 
1.15 	year 2016. The "second year" is fiscal year 2017. The "biennium" is fiscal years 2016 and 
1.16 	2017, respectively. The appropriations in this act are onetime.

1.17				APPROPRIATIONS
	
1.18				Available for the Year
	
1.19				Ending June 30
	
1.20					2016
		2017

1.21	Sec. 2. OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND

1.22	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	100,008,000
	$
	607,000
	
1.23 	This appropriation is from the outdoor 
1.24 	heritage fund. The amounts that may be 
2.1 	spent for each purpose are specified in the 
2.2 	following subdivisions.

2.3	Subd. 2.Prairies
 		40,948,000
		-0-

2.4
2.5
2.6	(a) DNR Wildlife Management Area and 
Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition - Phase 
VII
					
2.7 	$4,570,000 in the first year is to the 
2.8 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
2.9 	land in fee for wildlife management purposes 
2.10 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
2.11 	subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee 
2.12 	for scientific and natural area purposes 
2.13 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
2.14 	subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria 
2.15 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
2.16 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
2.17 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
2.18 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
2.19 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
2.20 	proposed land and permanent conservation 
2.21 	easement acquisitions must be provided as 
2.22 	part of the required accomplishment plan.

2.23
2.24	(b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area 
Acquisition - Phase VII
					
2.25 	$7,452,000 in the first year is to the 
2.26 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
2.27 	agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire 
2.28 	land in fee for wildlife management area 
2.29 	purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.30 	86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation 
2.31 	criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, 
2.32 	priority must be given to acquisition of 
2.33 	lands that are eligible for the native prairie 
2.34 	bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.35 	84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native 
2.36 	prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions 
3.1 	must be provided as part of the required 
3.2 	accomplishment plan.

3.3
3.4	(c) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project - Phase 
VI
					
3.5 	$4,032,000 in the first year is to the 
3.6 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
3.7 	agreement with The Nature Conservancy 
3.8 	to acquire native prairie, wetlands, and 
3.9 	savanna and restore and enhance grasslands, 
3.10 	wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation 
3.11 	criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, 
3.12 	priority must be given to acquisition of lands 
3.13 	that are eligible for the native prairie bank 
3.14 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or 
3.15 	lands adjacent to protected native prairie. 
3.16 	Annual income statements and balance sheets 
3.17 	for income and expenses from land acquired 
3.18 	with this appropriation must be submitted 
3.19 	to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage 
3.20 	Council no later than 180 days following 
3.21 	the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal 
3.22 	year. A list of proposed land acquisitions 
3.23 	must be provided as part of the required 
3.24 	accomplishment plan and must be consistent 
3.25 	with the priorities identified in the Minnesota 
3.26 	Prairie Conservation Plan.

3.27
3.28	(d) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National 
Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase V
					
3.29 	$3,430,000 in the first year is to the 
3.30 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
3.31 	agreement with The Nature Conservancy 
3.32 	in cooperation with the United States Fish 
3.33 	and Wildlife Service to acquire land in 
3.34 	fee or permanent conservation easements 
3.35 	within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat 
3.36 	Preservation Area in western Minnesota 
4.1 	for addition to the Northern Tallgrass 
4.2 	Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject 
4.3 	to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, 
4.4 	part 6136.0900, priority must be given to 
4.5 	acquisition of lands that are eligible for 
4.6 	the native prairie bank under Minnesota 
4.7 	Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to 
4.8 	protected native prairie. A list of proposed 
4.9 	land acquisitions must be provided as part 
4.10 	of the required accomplishment plan and 
4.11 	must be consistent with the priorities in the 
4.12 	Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.

4.13
4.14	(e) Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection 
- Phase IV
					
4.15 	$3,740,000 in the first year is to the 
4.16 	commissioner of natural resources 
4.17 	to implement the Minnesota Prairie 
4.18 	Conservation Plan through the acquisition 
4.19 	of permanent conservation easements to 
4.20 	protect native prairie and grasslands. Up 
4.21 	to $165,000 is for establishing monitoring 
4.22 	and enforcement funds as approved in 
4.23 	the accomplishment plan and subject to 
4.24 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
4.25 	subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria 
4.26 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
4.27 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
4.28 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
4.29 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
4.30 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
4.31 	permanent conservation easements must be 
4.32 	provided as part of the final report. 

4.33
4.34	(f) Minnesota Buffers for Wildlife and Water 
- Phase V
					
4.35 	$4,544,000 in the first year is to the Board 
4.36 	of Water and Soil Resources to acquire 
5.1 	permanent conservation easements to protect 
5.2 	and enhance habitat by expanding the clean 
5.3 	water fund riparian buffer program for at 
5.4 	least equal wildlife benefits from buffers 
5.5 	on private land. Up to $72,500 is for 
5.6 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
5.7 	fund as approved in the accomplishment plan 
5.8 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
5.9 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
5.10 	conservation easements must be provided as 
5.11 	part of the final report.

5.12
5.13	(g) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat 
Complex - Phase V
					
5.14 	$1,380,000 in the first year is to the 
5.15 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
5.16 	agreement with The Trust for Public Land to 
5.17 	acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River 
5.18 	watershed for wildlife management purposes 
5.19 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
5.20 	subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria 
5.21 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
5.22 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
5.23 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
5.24 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
5.25 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
5.26 	proposed land acquisitions must be provided 
5.27 	as part of the required accomplishment plan.

5.28
5.29	(h) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the 
Southern Red River Valley
					
5.30 	$1,800,000 in the first year is to the 
5.31 	commissioner of natural resources for 
5.32 	an agreement with Pheasants Forever in 
5.33 	cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie 
5.34 	Chicken Society to acquire and restore lands 
5.35 	in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife 
5.36 	management purposes under Minnesota 
6.1 	Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, 
6.2 	or for designation and management as 
6.3 	waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, 
6.4 	in cooperation with the United States Fish 
6.5 	and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land 
6.6 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
6.7 	required accomplishment plan.

6.8
6.9	(i) Protecting and Restoring Minnesota's 
Important Bird Areas
					
6.10 	$1,730,000 in the first year is to the 
6.11 	commissioner of natural resources for 
6.12 	agreements to acquire conservation 
6.13 	easements within important bird areas 
6.14 	identified in the Minnesota Prairie 
6.15 	Conservation Plan, to be used as follows: 
6.16 	$408,000 is to Audubon Minnesota and 
6.17 	$1,322,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of 
6.18 	which up to $100,000 is for establishing 
6.19 	monitoring and enforcement funds as 
6.20 	approved in the accomplishment plan and 
6.21 	subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
6.22 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
6.23 	conservation easements must be provided as 
6.24 	part of the final report.

6.25
6.26	(j) Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat 
Restoration
					
6.27 	$2,270,000 in the first year is to the 
6.28 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
6.29 	agreement with the Wild Rice Watershed 
6.30 	District to acquire land in fee and permanent 
6.31 	conservation easement and to `restore river 
6.32 	and related habitat in the Wild Rice River 
6.33 	corridor. A list of proposed acquisitions and 
6.34 	restorations must be provided as part of the 
6.35 	required accomplishment plan.

7.1
7.2	(k) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and 
Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase VII
					
7.3 	$4,880,000 in the first year is to the 
7.4 	commissioner of natural resources to 
7.5 	accelerate the restoration and enhancement 
7.6 	of prairie communities on wildlife 
7.7 	management areas, scientific and natural 
7.8 	areas, state forest land, and land under 
7.9 	native prairie bank easements. A list of 
7.10 	proposed land restorations and enhancements 
7.11 	must be provided as part of the required 
7.12 	accomplishment plan.

7.13	(l) Enhanced Public Land Grasslands - Phase II
					
7.14 	$1,120,000 in the first year is to the 
7.15 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
7.16 	agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance 
7.17 	and restore habitat on public lands. A list of 
7.18 	proposed land restorations and enhancements 
7.19 	must be provided as part of the final report.

7.20	Subd. 3.Forests
 		12,634,000
		-0-

7.21	(a) Camp Ripley Partnership - Phase V
					
7.22 	$1,500,000 in the first year is to the 
7.23 	Board of Water and Soil Resources in 
7.24 	cooperation with the Morrison County Soil 
7.25 	and Water Conservation District to acquire 
7.26 	permanent conservation easements within 
7.27 	the boundaries of the Minnesota National 
7.28 	Guard Compatible Use Buffer to protect 
7.29 	forest wildlife habitat. Up to $55,000 is for 
7.30 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
7.31 	fund, as approved in the accomplishment 
7.32 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
7.33 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
8.1 	permanent conservation easements must be 
8.2 	provided as part of the final report.

8.3
8.4	(b) Southeast Minnesota Protection and 
Restoration - Phase III
					
8.5 	$2,910,000 in the first year is to the 
8.6 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
8.7 	agreement with The Nature Conservancy to 
8.8 	acquire land in fee for wildlife management 
8.9 	purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 
8.10 	86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire land 
8.11 	in fee for scientific and natural areas 
8.12 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
8.13 	subdivision 5; for state forest purposes 
8.14 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
8.15 	subdivision 7; and to enhance grasslands, 
8.16 	forest, and savanna. A list of proposed 
8.17 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
8.18 	required accomplishment plan.

8.19
8.20	(c) Protecting Pinelands Sands Aquifer 
Forestlands - Phase II
					
8.21 	$2,180,000 in the first year is to the 
8.22 	commissioner of natural resources to 
8.23 	acquire forest lands in Cass and Wadena 
8.24 	Counties for wildlife management purposes 
8.25 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
8.26 	subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee 
8.27 	for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, 
8.28 	section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of 
8.29 	proposed land acquisitions must be provided 
8.30 	as part of the required accomplishment plan.

8.31
8.32	(d) Protect Key Forest Lands in Cass County 
- Phase VI
					
8.33 	$442,000 in the first year is to the 
8.34 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
8.35 	agreement with Cass County to acquire land 
8.36 	in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife 
9.1 	habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation. 
9.2 	A list of proposed land acquisitions 
9.3 	must be provided as part of the required 
9.4 	accomplishment plan.

9.5
9.6	(e) Critical Shoreland Protection Program - 
Phase III
					
9.7 	$1,690,000 in the first year is to the 
9.8 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
9.9 	agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to 
9.10 	acquire permanent conservation easements 
9.11 	along rivers and lakes in the northern 
9.12 	forest region. Up to $220,000 is for 
9.13 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
9.14 	fund, as approved in the accomplishment 
9.15 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
9.16 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
9.17 	proposed permanent conservation easements 
9.18 	must be provided as part of the required 
9.19 	accomplishment plan. 

9.20	(f) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Partnership
					
9.21 	$961,000 in the first year is to the 
9.22 	commissioner of natural resources to 
9.23 	acquire lands in fee and for permanent 
9.24 	conservation easements in the Mississippi 
9.25 	Headwaters and for agreements as follows: 
9.26 	$1,217,000 to The Trust for Public Land; 
9.27 	and $824,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, 
9.28 	of which up to $80,000 is for establishing 
9.29 	a monitoring and enforcement fund as 
9.30 	approved in the accomplishment plan and 
9.31 	subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
9.32 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed 
9.33 	acquisitions must be included as part of the 
9.34 	required accomplishment plan.

9.35	(g) Southeast Forest Habitat Enhancement
					
10.1 	$910,000 in the first year is to the 
10.2 	commissioner of natural resources to 
10.3 	enhance forests in southeastern Minnesota. 
10.4 	A list of proposed land enhancements 
10.5 	must be provided as part of the required 
10.6 	accomplishment plan.

10.7	Subd. 4.Wetlands
 		22,578,000
		-0-

10.8
10.9	(a) Accelerating the Waterfowl Production 
Area Acquisition - Phase VII
					
10.10 	$7,620,000 in the first year is to the 
10.11 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
10.12 	agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire 
10.13 	land in fee to be designated and managed as 
10.14 	waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, 
10.15 	in cooperation with the United States Fish 
10.16 	and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land 
10.17 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
10.18 	required accomplishment plan.

10.19
10.20	(b) Living Shallow Lakes and Wetland 
Initiative - Phase V
					
10.21 	$9,040,000 in the first year is to the 
10.22 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
10.23 	agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire 
10.24 	land in fee for wildlife management purposes 
10.25 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
10.26 	subdivision 8. A list of proposed acquisitions 
10.27 	must be provided as part of the required 
10.28 	accomplishment plan.

10.29
10.30	(c) Wild Rice Shoreland Protection Program 
- Phase IV
					
10.31 	$131,000 in the first year is to the 
10.32 	commissioner of natural resources for the 
10.33 	acquisition of land in fee and $1,469,000 is 
10.34 	to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to 
10.35 	acquire permanent conservation easements 
11.1 	on wild rice lake shoreland habitat for native 
11.2 	wild rice bed protection. Of this amount, up 
11.3 	to $90,000 to the Board of Water and Soil 
11.4 	Resources is for establishing a monitoring 
11.5 	and enforcement fund as approved in 
11.6 	the accomplishment plan and subject to 
11.7 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
11.8 	subdivision 17. A list of proposed fee land 
11.9 	acquisitions must be included as part of 
11.10 	the required accomplishment plan by the 
11.11 	Department of Natural Resources and a list 
11.12 	of permanent conservation easements must 
11.13 	be provided as part of the final report by the 
11.14 	Board of Water and Soil Resources. 

11.15
11.16	(d) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands 
Enhancement - Phase VII
					
11.17 	$4,318,000 in the first year is to the 
11.18 	commissioner of natural resources to 
11.19 	enhance and restore shallow lakes statewide. 
11.20 	A list of proposed land restorations and 
11.21 	enhancements must be provided as part of 
11.22 	the required accomplishment plan.

11.23	Subd. 5.Habitats
 		22,368,000
		-0-

11.24	(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase VII
					
11.25 	$4,540,000 in the first year is to the 
11.26 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
11.27 	interests in land in fee and permanent 
11.28 	conservation easements for aquatic 
11.29 	management purposes under Minnesota 
11.30 	Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, 
11.31 	and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance 
11.32 	aquatic habitat. Up to $130,000 is for 
11.33 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
11.34 	fund as approved in the accomplishment 
11.35 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
12.1 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
12.2 	proposed land acquisitions and restorations 
12.3 	and enhancements must be provided as part 
12.4 	of the required accomplishment plan.

12.5	(b) Metro Big Rivers - Phase VI
					
12.6 	$2,000,000 in the first year is to the 
12.7 	commissioner of natural resources for 
12.8 	agreements to acquire land in fee and in 
12.9 	permanent conservation easements and 
12.10 	to restore and enhance natural systems 
12.11 	associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, 
12.12 	and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $475,000 to 
12.13 	Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge 
12.14 	Trust, Inc.; $275,000 to Friends of the 
12.15 	Mississippi River; $400,000 to Great River 
12.16 	Greening; $375,000 to Minnesota Land Trust; 
12.17 	and $475,000 to The Trust for Public Land. 
12.18 	Up to $60,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for 
12.19 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
12.20 	fund as approved in the accomplishment 
12.21 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
12.22 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
12.23 	proposed land acquisitions and permanent 
12.24 	conservation easements must be provided as 
12.25 	part of the required accomplishment plan.

12.26
12.27
12.28	(c) Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish 
Habitat Enhancement and Restoration - Phase 
VII
					
12.29 	$1,890,000 in the first year is to the 
12.30 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
12.31 	agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited 
12.32 	to restore and enhance habitat for trout 
12.33 	and other species in and along coldwater 
12.34 	rivers and streams in Minnesota. A list of 
12.35 	proposed restorations and enhancements 
13.1 	must be provided as part of the required 
13.2 	accomplishment plan.

13.3
13.4	(d) Lake Bemidji South Shore Restoration and 
Enhancement
					
13.5 	$1,650,000 in the first year is to the 
13.6 	commissioner of natural resources for 
13.7 	an agreement with the city of Bemidji to 
13.8 	restore and enhance fish habitat on Lake 
13.9 	Bemidji. A list of proposed restorations and 
13.10 	enhancements must be provided as part of 
13.11 	the required accomplishment plan.

13.12	(e) Sand Hill River Fish Passage
					
13.13 	$990,000 in the first year is to the 
13.14 	commissioner of natural resources for 
13.15 	an agreement with the Sand Hill River 
13.16 	Watershed District to restore fish habitat 
13.17 	in the Sand Hill River watershed. A list of 
13.18 	proposed restorations must be provided as 
13.19 	part of the required accomplishment plan.

13.20
13.21	(f) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat 
Restoration Program - Phase IV
					
13.22 	$2,414,000 in the first year is to the 
13.23 	commissioner of natural resources for 
13.24 	an agreement with the Shell Rock River 
13.25 	Watershed District to protect, restore, 
13.26 	and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell 
13.27 	Rock River watershed. A list of proposed 
13.28 	acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements 
13.29 	must be provided as part of the required 
13.30 	accomplishment plan. 

13.31
13.32	(g) Lake Nokomis Integrated Habitat 
Enhancement
					
13.33 	$444,000 in the first year is to the 
13.34 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
13.35 	agreement with the Minneapolis Park and 
14.1 	Recreation Board to enhance aquatic habitat 
14.2 	on Lake Nokomis. A list of proposed 
14.3 	enhancements must be provided as part of 
14.4 	the required accomplishment plan.

14.5
14.6
14.7	(h) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant 
Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat - 
Phase VII
					
14.8 	$8,440,000 in the first year is to the 
14.9 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
14.10 	program to provide competitive, matching 
14.11 	grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, 
14.12 	state, and national organizations for 
14.13 	enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, 
14.14 	wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, 
14.15 	or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, 
14.16 	$3,692,000 is for grants in the seven-county 
14.17 	metropolitan area and cities with a population 
14.18 	of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made 
14.19 	for activities required to fulfill the duties 
14.20 	of owners of lands subject to conservation 
14.21 	easements. Grants shall not be made from the 
14.22 	appropriation in this paragraph for projects 
14.23 	that have a total project cost exceeding 
14.24 	$575,000. Of this appropriation, $596,000 
14.25 	may be spent for personnel costs and other 
14.26 	direct and necessary administrative costs. 
14.27 	Grantees may acquire land or interests in 
14.28 	land. Easements must be permanent. Grants 
14.29 	may not be used to establish easement 
14.30 	stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee 
14.31 	must be open to hunting and fishing during 
14.32 	the open season unless otherwise provided 
14.33 	by law. The program must require a match 
14.34 	of at least ten percent from nonstate sources 
14.35 	for all grants. The match may be cash or 
14.36 	in-kind resources. For grant applications 
15.1 	of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall 
15.2 	provide a separate, simplified application 
15.3 	process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the 
15.4 	commissioner of natural resources shall, 
15.5 	when evaluating projects of equal value, 
15.6 	give priority to organizations that have a 
15.7 	history of receiving or a charter to receive 
15.8 	private contributions for local conservation 
15.9 	or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a 
15.10 	conservation easement, priority must be 
15.11 	given to projects associated with or within 
15.12 	one mile of existing wildlife management 
15.13 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 
15.14 	86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural 
15.15 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
15.16 	84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic 
15.17 	management areas under Minnesota Statutes, 
15.18 	sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. 
15.19 	All restoration or enhancement projects 
15.20 	must be on land permanently protected by 
15.21 	a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual 
15.22 	maintenance and protection of restored 
15.23 	and enhanced habitat, by a conservation 
15.24 	easement, or by public ownership or in 
15.25 	public waters as defined in Minnesota 
15.26 	Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 
15.27 	15. Priority must be given to restoration 
15.28 	and enhancement projects on public lands. 
15.29 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
15.30 	subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded 
15.31 	under this paragraph. This appropriation is 
15.32 	available until June 30, 2018. No less than 
15.33 	five percent of the amount of each grant 
15.34 	must be held back from reimbursement until 
15.35 	the grant recipient has completed a grant 
15.36 	accomplishment report by the deadline and 
16.1 	in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to 
16.2 	the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. 
16.3 	The commissioner shall provide notice of 
16.4 	the grant program in the game and fish law 
16.5 	summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, 
16.6 	section 97A.051, subdivision 2.

16.7	Subd. 6.Administration
 		1,480,000
		607,000

16.8	(a) Contract Management
					
16.9 	$150,000 in the first year is to the 
16.10 	commissioner of natural resources for 
16.11 	contract management duties assigned in this 
16.12 	section. The commissioner shall provide an 
16.13 	accomplishment plan in the form specified by 
16.14 	the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council 
16.15 	on the expenditure of this appropriation. 
16.16 	The accomplishment plan must include a 
16.17 	copy of the grant contract template and 
16.18 	reimbursement manual. No money may 
16.19 	be expended prior to the Lessard-Sams 
16.20 	Outdoor Heritage Council's approval of the 
16.21 	accomplishment plan. 

16.22	(b) Legislative Coordinating Commission
					
16.23 	$608,000 in the first year and $607,000 
16.24 	in the second year are to the Legislative 
16.25 	Coordinating Commission for administrative 
16.26 	expenses of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor 
16.27 	Heritage Council and for compensation and 
16.28 	expense reimbursement of council members. 
16.29 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
16.30 	2017. Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281, 
16.31 	applies to this appropriation.

16.32	(c) Technical Evaluation Panel
					
16.33 	$100,000 in the first year is to the 
16.34 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
17.1 	technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 
17.2 	ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota 
17.3 	Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.

17.4	(d) Legacy Web Site
					
17.5 	$15,000 in the first year is to the Legislative 
17.6 	Coordinating Commission for the Web site 
17.7 	required in Minnesota Statutes, section 
17.8 	3.303, subdivision 10.

17.9	Subd. 7.Availability of Appropriation
 					
17.10 	Money appropriated in this section may 
17.11 	not be spent on activities unless they are 
17.12 	directly related to and necessary for a 
17.13 	specific appropriation and are specified in 
17.14 	the accomplishment plan approved by the 
17.15 	Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. 
17.16 	Money appropriated in this section must not 
17.17 	be spent on indirect costs or other institutional 
17.18 	overhead charges that are not directly related 
17.19 	to and necessary for a specific appropriation. 
17.20 	Unless otherwise provided, the amounts 
17.21 	in this section are available until June 30, 
17.22 	2018. For acquisition of real property, the 
17.23 	amounts in this section are available until 
17.24 	June 30, 2019, if a binding agreement with a 
17.25 	landowner or purchase agreement is entered 
17.26 	into by June 30, 2018, and closed no later 
17.27 	than June 30, 2019. Money for restoration or 
17.28 	enhancement is available until June 30, 2020, 
17.29 	or five years after acquisition, whichever is 
17.30 	later, in order to complete initial restoration 
17.31 	or enhancement work. If a project receives 
17.32 	at least 15 percent of its funding from federal 
17.33 	funds, the time period of the appropriation 
17.34 	may be extended to equal the availability 
17.35 	of federal funding to a maximum of six 
18.1 	years, provided the federal funding was 
18.2 	confirmed and included within the first draft 
18.3 	accomplishment plan. Money appropriated 
18.4 	for fee title acquisition of land may be used to 
18.5 	restore, enhance, and provide for public use 
18.6 	of the land acquired with the appropriation. 
18.7 	Public use facilities must have a minimal 
18.8 	impact on habitat in acquired lands.

18.918.10
	Subd. 8.Payment Conditions and Capital 
Equipment Expenditures
 					
18.11 	All agreements referred to in this section must 
18.12 	be administered on a reimbursement basis 
18.13 	unless otherwise provided in this section. 
18.14 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
18.15 	16A.41, expenditures directly related 
18.16 	to each appropriation's purpose made 
18.17 	on or after July 1, 2015, or the date of 
18.18 	accomplishment plan approval, whichever is 
18.19 	later, are eligible for reimbursement unless 
18.20 	otherwise provided in this section. For the 
18.21 	purposes of administering appropriations 
18.22 	and legislatively authorized agreements paid 
18.23 	out of the outdoor heritage fund, an expense 
18.24 	must be considered reimbursable by the 
18.25 	administering agency when the recipient 
18.26 	presents the agency with an invoice, or 
18.27 	binding agreement with the landowner, and 
18.28 	the recipient attests that the goods have 
18.29 	been received or the landowner agreement 
18.30 	is binding. Periodic reimbursement must 
18.31 	be made upon receiving documentation that 
18.32 	the items articulated in the accomplishment 
18.33 	plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor 
18.34 	Heritage Council have been achieved, 
18.35 	including partial achievements as evidenced 
18.36 	by progress reports approved by the 
19.1 	Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. 
19.2 	Reasonable amounts may be advanced to 
19.3 	projects to accommodate cash flow needs, 
19.4 	support future management of acquired 
19.5 	lands, or match a federal share. The 
19.6 	advances must be approved as part of the 
19.7 	accomplishment plan. Capital equipment 
19.8 	expenditures for specific items in excess of 
19.9 	$10,000 must be itemized in and approved as 
19.10 	part of the accomplishment plan.

19.11	Subd. 9.Mapping
 					
19.12 	Each direct recipient of money appropriated 
19.13 	in this section, as well as each recipient of 
19.14 	a grant awarded pursuant to this section, 
19.15 	must provide geographic information to the 
19.16 	Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council 
19.17 	for mapping any lands acquired in fee with 
19.18 	money appropriated in this section and 
19.19 	open to public taking of fish and game. 
19.20 	The commissioner of natural resources 
19.21 	shall include the lands acquired in fee with 
19.22 	money appropriated in this section on maps 
19.23 	showing public recreation opportunities. 
19.24 	Maps must include information on and 
19.25 	acknowledgement of the outdoor heritage 
19.26 	fund, including a notation of any restrictions.

19.27	Subd. 10.Pollinator Lethal Insecticides
 					
19.28 	Land acquired in fee with money 
19.29 	appropriated in this section must not be 
19.30 	planted or otherwise treated with a product 
19.31 	that contains a pollinator lethal insecticide, 
19.32 	as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 
19.33 	18H.02, subdivision 28a.

19.34 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
20.1 		Subd. 2.Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. (a) The Lessard-Sams 
20.2 	Outdoor Heritage Council of 12 members is created in the legislative branch, consisting of:
20.3 	(1) two public members appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of 
20.4 	the Committee on Rules and Administration;
20.5 	(2) two public members appointed by the speaker of the house;
20.6 	(3) four public members appointed by the governor;
20.7 	(4) two members of the senate appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees 
20.8 	of the Committee on Rules and Administration; and
20.9 	(5) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the 
20.10 	house.
20.11 	(b) Members appointed under paragraph (a) must not be registered lobbyists. In 
20.12 	making appointments, the governor, senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee 
20.13 	on Rules and Administration, and the speaker of the house shall consider geographic 
20.14 	balance, gender, age, ethnicity, and varying interests including hunting and fishing. The 
20.15 	governor's appointments to the council are subject to the advice and consent of the senate.
20.16 	(c) Public members appointed under paragraph (a) shall have practical experience 
20.17 	or expertise or demonstrated knowledge in the science, policy, or practice of restoring, 
20.18 	protecting, and enhancing wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and 
20.19 	wildlife.
20.20 	(d) Legislative members appointed under paragraph (a) shall include the chairs 
20.21 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources 
20.22 	finance or their designee, one member from the minority party of the senate, and one 
20.23 	member from the minority party of the house of representatives.
20.24 	(e) Public members serve four-year terms. Appointed legislative members serve 
20.25 	at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Public and legislative members continue to 
20.26 	serve until their successors are appointed. Public members shall be initially appointed 
20.27 	according to the following schedule of terms:
20.28 	(1) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first 
20.29 	Monday in January 2011;
20.30 	(2) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the 
20.31 	Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January 2011;
20.32 	(3) one public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending 
20.33 	the first Monday in January 2011;
20.34 	(4) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first 
20.35 	Monday in January 2013;
21.1 	(5) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the 
21.2 	Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January 
21.3 	2013; and
21.4 	(6) one public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending 
21.5 	the first Monday in January 2013.
21.6 	(f) Terms, compensation, and removal of public members are as provided in section 
21.7 	15.0575. A vacancy on the council may be filled by the appointing authority for the 
21.8 	remainder of the unexpired term.
21.9 	(g) The first meeting of the council shall be convened by the chair of the Legislative 
21.10 	Coordinating Commission no later than December 1, 2008. Members shall elect a chair, 
21.11 	vice-chair, secretary, and other officers as determined by the council. The chair may 
21.12 	convene meetings as necessary to conduct the duties prescribed by this section.
21.13 	(h) Upon coordination with The Legislative Coordinating Commission, the council
21.14 	may appoint nonpartisan staff and contract with consultants as necessary to carry out
21.15 	support the functions of the council. Up to one percent of the money appropriated from the 
21.16 	fund may be used to pay for administrative expenses of the council and for compensation 
21.17 	and expense reimbursement of council members.

21.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

21.19 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
21.20 		Subd. 5.Open meetings. (a) Meetings of the council and other groups the council 
21.21 	may establish are subject to chapter 13D. Except where prohibited by law, the council 
21.22 	shall establish additional processes to broaden public involvement in all aspects of its 
21.23 	deliberations, including recording meetings, video conferencing, and publishing minutes. 
21.24 	For the purposes of this subdivision, a meeting occurs when a quorum is present and the 
21.25 	members receive information or take action on any matter relating to the duties of the 
21.26 	council. The quorum requirement for the council shall be seven members.
21.27 	(b) Travel to and from scheduled and publicly noticed site visits by council members 
21.28 	for the purposes of receiving information is not a violation of paragraph (a). Any decision 
21.29 	or agreement to make a decision during the travel is a violation of paragraph (a).
21.30 	(c) The presence of a quorum of members of the council at a conference or a 
21.31 	gathering sponsored by another entity is not a meeting for purposes of this subdivision 
21.32 	if attendance of council members is incidental to the primary purpose of the conference 
21.33 	or gathering and a quorum of the council members do not discuss with each other 
21.34 	matters relating to business of the council. This paragraph also applies to attendance at a 
21.35 	conference or gathering by members of a subcommittee of the council.
22.1 	(d) For legislative members of the council, enforcement of this subdivision is 
22.2 	governed by section 3.055, subdivision 2. For nonlegislative members of the council, 
22.3 	enforcement of this subdivision is governed by section 13D.06, subdivisions 1 and 2.

22.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

22.5 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
22.6 		Subd. 8.Revenues. (a) When a parcel of land that was previously purchased with 
22.7 	money from the outdoor heritage funds fund is transferred to the state, the owner of the 
22.8 	land shall disclose to the council and commissioner of natural resources:
22.9 	(1) all revenues generated from activities on the land from the time the land was 
22.10 	purchased with money from the outdoor heritage funds fund until the land was transferred 
22.11 	to the state;
22.12 	(2) all holding costs associated with managing the land between the time of purchase 
22.13 	with money from the outdoor heritage funds fund and the time the land was transferred to 
22.14 	the state; and
22.15 	(3) the total net revenues as determined by subtracting the costs described in clause 
22.16 	(2) from the revenues described in clause (1).
22.17 	(b) The owner of the land shall submit the total net revenues determined under 
22.18 	paragraph (a), clause (3), to the state no later than 60 days after the land is transferred to 
22.19 	the state.

22.20 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision 
22.21 	to read:
22.22 		Subd. 20.Donations. A recipient shall not accept a monetary donation or payment 
22.23 	from an owner of land that is acquired in fee in whole or in part with an appropriation from 
22.24 	the outdoor heritage fund that exceeds the documented expenses that are directly related 
22.25 	to and necessary for activities specified in the accomplishment plan approved by the 
22.26 	Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, unless expressly approved by the Lessard-Sams 
22.27 	Outdoor Heritage Council in the accomplishment plan. This subdivision does not apply to 
22.28 	donations that are not connected with the acquisition transaction or bargain sales, as defined 
22.29 	by Code of Federal Regulations, title 26, section 1.1011-2, provided that the purchase 
22.30 	price reimbursed by the state does not exceed the purchase price paid by the recipient.

22.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2016, and applies to money 
22.32 	appropriated on or after that date.

23.1 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision 
23.2 	to read:
23.3 		Subd. 21.Haying and grazing. Lands acquired with money appropriated from the 
23.4 	outdoor heritage fund may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to 
23.5 	federal or state disaster declarations. This subdivision does not apply to conservation 
23.6 	grazing under a management plan implemented before the effective date of this section.

23.7 	Sec. 8. Laws 2012, chapter 264, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

23.8	Subd. 5.Habitats
 		-0-
		28,620,000

23.9	(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase IV
					
23.10 	$3,480,000 in the second year is to the 
23.11 	commissioner of natural resources to 
23.12 	acquire interests in land in fee or permanent 
23.13 	conservation easements for aquatic 
23.14 	management areas under Minnesota Statutes, 
23.15 	sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 
23.16 	97C.02, and to restore and enhance aquatic 
23.17 	habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions 
23.18 	must be provided as part of the required 
23.19 	accomplishment plan. The accomplishment 
23.20 	plan must include an easement stewardship 
23.21 	plan. Up to $25,000 is for establishing 
23.22 	a monitoring and enforcement fund as 
23.23 	approved in the accomplishment plan 
23.24 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
23.25 	97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial 
23.26 	report is required for any monitoring and 
23.27 	enforcement fund established, including 
23.28 	expenditures from the fund and a description 
23.29 	of annual monitoring and enforcement 
23.30 	activities.

23.31	(b) Metro Big Rivers Habitat - Phase III
					
23.32 	$3,680,000 in the second year is to the 
23.33 	commissioner of natural resources for 
23.34 	agreements to acquire interests in land in 
24.1 	fee or permanent conservation easements 
24.2 	and to restore and enhance natural systems 
24.3 	associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, 
24.4 	and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $1,000,000 
24.5 	to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife 
24.6 	Refuge Trust, Inc.; $375,000 to the Friends 
24.7 	of the Mississippi; $375,000 to Great River 
24.8 	Greening; $930,000 to The Minnesota 
24.9 	Land Trust; and $1,000,000 to The Trust 
24.10 	for Public Land. A list of proposed 
24.11 	acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements 
24.12 	must be provided as part of the required 
24.13 	accomplishment plan. The accomplishment 
24.14 	plan must include an easement stewardship 
24.15 	plan. Up to $51,000 is for establishing 
24.16 	a monitoring and enforcement fund as 
24.17 	approved in the accomplishment plan 
24.18 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
24.19 	97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial 
24.20 	report is required for any monitoring and 
24.21 	enforcement fund established, including 
24.22 	expenditures from the fund and a description 
24.23 	of annual monitoring and enforcement 
24.24 	activities.

24.25
24.26	(c) Dakota County Riparian and Lakeshore 
Protection and Management - Phase III
					
24.27 	$480,000 in the second year is to the 
24.28 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
24.29 	agreement with Dakota County to acquire 
24.30 	permanent conservation easements and 
24.31 	restore and enhance habitats along the 
24.32 	Mississippi, Cannon, and Vermillion Rivers. 
24.33 	A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, 
24.34 	and enhancements must be provided as 
24.35 	part of the required accomplishment plan. 
24.36 	The accomplishment plan must include 
25.1 	an easement stewardship plan. Up to 
25.2 	$20,000 is for establishing a monitoring 
25.3 	and enforcement fund as approved in 
25.4 	the accomplishment plan and subject to 
25.5 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
25.6 	subdivision 17. An annual financial report is 
25.7 	required for any monitoring and enforcement 
25.8 	fund established, including expenditures 
25.9 	from the fund and a description of annual 
25.10 	monitoring and enforcement activities.

25.11	(d) Lower St. Louis River Habitat Restoration
					
25.12 	$3,670,000 in the second year is to the 
25.13 	commissioner of natural resources to restore 
25.14 	habitat in the lower St. Louis River estuary. 
25.15 	A list of proposed projects must be provided 
25.16 	as part of the required accomplishment plan.

25.17
25.18	(e) Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement - 
Phase IV
					
25.19 	$2,120,000 in the second year is to the 
25.20 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
25.21 	agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited 
25.22 	to restore and enhance coldwater fish lake, 
25.23 	river, and stream habitats in Minnesota. A list 
25.24 	of proposed restorations and enhancements 
25.25 	must be provided as part of the required 
25.26 	accomplishment plan.

25.27	(f) Grand Marais Creek Outlet Restoration
					
25.28 	$2,320,000 in the second year is to the 
25.29 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
25.30 	agreement with the Red Lake Watershed 
25.31 	District to restore and enhance stream and 
25.32 	related habitat in Grand Marais Creek. A list 
25.33 	of proposed restorations and enhancements 
25.34 	must be provided as part of the required 
25.35 	accomplishment plan.

26.1	(g) Knife River Habitat Restoration
					
26.2 	$380,000 in the second year is to the 
26.3 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
26.4 	agreement with the Lake Superior Steelhead 
26.5 	Association to restore trout habitat in the 
26.6 	Upper Knife River Watershed. A list of 
26.7 	proposed restorations must be provided as 
26.8 	part of the required accomplishment plan. 
26.9 	Notwithstanding rules of the commissioner 
26.10 	of natural resources, restorations conducted 
26.11 	pursuant to this paragraph may be 
26.12 	accomplished by excavation.

26.13
26.14	(h) Protect Aquatic Habitat from Asian
Invasive Carp
					
26.15 	$7,500,000 in the second year is to the 
26.16 	commissioner of natural resources to for
26.17 	design, construct, operate, and evaluate
26.18 	construction, including acquisition, 
26.19 	operation, and evaluation of structural 
26.20 	deterrents for Asian invasive carp to protect 
26.21 	Minnesota's aquatic habitat. Use of this 
26.22 	money requires a one-to-one match for 
26.23 	projects on state boundary waters.

26.24
26.25	(i) Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners 
Grant Program - Phase IV
					
26.26 	$4,990,000 in the second year is to the 
26.27 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
26.28 	program to provide competitive, matching 
26.29 	grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, 
26.30 	state, and national organizations for 
26.31 	enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, 
26.32 	wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, 
26.33 	or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not be 
26.34 	made for activities required to fulfill the duties 
26.35 	of owners of lands subject to conservation 
27.1 	easements. Grants shall not be made from 
27.2 	appropriations in this paragraph for projects 
27.3 	that have a total project cost exceeding 
27.4 	$575,000. $366,000 of this appropriation 
27.5 	may be spent for personnel costs and other 
27.6 	direct and necessary administrative costs. 
27.7 	Grantees may acquire land or interests in 
27.8 	land. Easements must be permanent. Land 
27.9 	acquired in fee must be open to hunting 
27.10 	and fishing during the open season unless 
27.11 	otherwise provided by state law. The 
27.12 	program shall require a match of at least ten 
27.13 	percent from nonstate sources for all grants. 
27.14 	The match may be cash or in-kind resources. 
27.15 	For grant applications of $25,000 or less, 
27.16 	the commissioner shall provide a separate, 
27.17 	simplified application process. Subject to 
27.18 	Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of 
27.19 	natural resources shall, when evaluating 
27.20 	projects of equal value, give priority to 
27.21 	organizations that have a history of receiving 
27.22 	or charter to receive private contributions 
27.23 	for local conservation or habitat projects. If 
27.24 	acquiring land or a conservation easement, 
27.25 	priority shall be given to projects associated 
27.26 	with existing wildlife management areas 
27.27 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
27.28 	subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas 
27.29 	under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033
27.30 	and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic 
27.31 	management areas under Minnesota Statutes, 
27.32 	sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. 
27.33 	All restoration or enhancement projects 
27.34 	must be on land permanently protected by a 
27.35 	conservation easement or public ownership 
27.36 	or in public waters as defined in Minnesota 
28.1 	Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 
28.2 	15. Priority shall be given to restoration 
28.3 	and enhancement projects on public lands. 
28.4 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
28.5 	subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded 
28.6 	under this paragraph. This appropriation is 
28.7 	available until June 30, 2016. No less than 
28.8 	five percent of the amount of each grant 
28.9 	must be held back from reimbursement until 
28.10 	the grant recipient has completed a grant 
28.11 	accomplishment report by the deadline and 
28.12 	in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to 
28.13 	the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. 
28.14 	The commissioner shall provide notice of 
28.15 	the grant program in the game and fish law 
28.16 	summaries that are prepared under Minnesota 
28.17 	Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.

28.18 	Sec. 9. Laws 2014, chapter 256, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

28.19	Subd. 5.Habitats
 		-0-
		30,890,000
	
28.20 	(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase VI
28.21 	$2,560,000 in the second year is to the 
28.22 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
28.23 	interests in land in fee and permanent 
28.24 	conservation easements for aquatic 
28.25 	management purposes under Minnesota 
28.26 	Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, 
28.27 	and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance 
28.28 	aquatic habitat. Up to $32,500 is for 
28.29 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
28.30 	fund as approved in the accomplishment 
28.31 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
28.32 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
28.33 	proposed land acquisitions and restorations 
29.1 	and enhancements must be provided as part 
29.2 	of the required accomplishment plan.
29.3 	(b) Fisheries Habitat Protection on 
29.4 	Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes
29.5 	$2,130,000 in the second year is to the 
29.6 	commissioner of natural resources for 
29.7 	agreements with the Leech Lake Area 
29.8 	Watershed Foundation and Minnesota Land 
29.9 	Trust to acquire land in fee and permanent 
29.10 	conservation easements to sustain healthy 
29.11 	fish habitat on lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow 
29.12 	Wing, and Hubbard Counties as follows: 
29.13 	$1,150,300 to Leech Lake Area Watershed 
29.14 	Foundation; and $979,700 to Minnesota 
29.15 	Land Trust, of which up to $120,000 to 
29.16 	Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing 
29.17 	a monitoring and enforcement fund as 
29.18 	approved in the accomplishment plan and 
29.19 	subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
29.20 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed 
29.21 	land acquisitions must be provided as part of 
29.22 	the required accomplishment plan.
29.23 	(c) Habitat Protection in Dakota County 
29.24 	- Phase V
29.25 	$1,190,000 in the second year is to the 
29.26 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
29.27 	contract with Dakota County to acquire 
29.28 	permanent conservation easements and land 
29.29 	in fee and to restore and enhance habitats in 
29.30 	rivers and lake watersheds in Dakota County. 
29.31 	Up to $15,000 to Dakota County is for 
29.32 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
29.33 	fund as approved in the accomplishment 
29.34 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
29.35 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. Lands 
30.1 	acquired or lands with easements acquired 
30.2 	with this appropriation may not be used for 
30.3 	emergency haying and grazing in response 
30.4 	to federal or state disaster declarations. 
30.5 	Conservation grazing under a management 
30.6 	plan that is already being implemented may 
30.7 	continue. A list of proposed land acquisitions 
30.8 	and restorations and enhancements must 
30.9 	be provided as part of the required 
30.10 	accomplishment plan.
30.11 	(d) Metro Big Rivers - Phase V
30.12 	$2,650,000 in the second year is to the 
30.13 	commissioner of natural resources for 
30.14 	agreements to acquire land in fee and 
30.15 	permanent conservation easements and 
30.16 	to restore and enhance natural systems 
30.17 	associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, 
30.18 	and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $600,000 
30.19 	to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife 
30.20 	Refuge Trust, Inc.; $160,000 to Friends of 
30.21 	the Mississippi River; $400,000 to Great 
30.22 	River Greening; $590,000 to Minnesota 
30.23 	Land Trust, of which up to $77,000 is for 
30.24 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
30.25 	fund as approved in the accomplishment plan 
30.26 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
30.27 	97A.056, subdivision 17; and $900,000 to 
30.28 	The Trust for Public Land. Lands acquired 
30.29 	or lands with easements acquired with 
30.30 	this appropriation may not be used for 
30.31 	emergency haying and grazing in response 
30.32 	to federal or state disaster declarations. 
30.33 	Conservation grazing under a management 
30.34 	plan that is already being implemented may 
30.35 	continue. A list of proposed land acquisitions 
30.36 	and permanent conservation easements 
31.1 	must be provided as part of the required 
31.2 	accomplishment plan.
31.3 	(e) Mustinka River Fish and Wildlife 
31.4 	Habitat Corridor Rehabilitation
31.5 	$2,440,000 in the second year is to the 
31.6 	commissioner of natural resources for 
31.7 	an agreement with the Bois de Sioux 
31.8 	Watershed District to acquire land in fee 
31.9 	and to restore natural systems associated 
31.10 	with the Mustinka River located within the 
31.11 	Bois de Sioux Watershed. Lands acquired 
31.12 	with this appropriation may not be used for 
31.13 	emergency haying and grazing in response 
31.14 	to federal or state disaster declarations. 
31.15 	Conservation grazing under a management 
31.16 	plan that is already being implemented may 
31.17 	continue. A list of proposed land acquisitions 
31.18 	must be provided as part of the required 
31.19 	accomplishment plan.
31.20 	(f) Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater 
31.21 	Fish Habitat Enhancement and 
31.22 	Restoration - Phase VI
31.23 	$1,900,000 in the second year is to the 
31.24 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
31.25 	agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited 
31.26 	to restore and enhance habitat for trout 
31.27 	and other species in and along coldwater 
31.28 	rivers and streams in Minnesota. A list of 
31.29 	proposed land restorations and enhancements 
31.30 	must be provided as part of the required 
31.31 	accomplishment plan.
31.32 	(g) St. Louis River Restoration Initiative - 
31.33 	Phase II
31.34 	$2,290,000 in the second year is to the 
31.35 	commissioner of natural resources to restore 
32.1 	habitat in the lower St. Louis River estuary. 
32.2 	Of this appropriation, up to $500,000 is for 
32.3 	an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A 
32.4 	list of proposed restorations must be provided 
32.5 	as part of the required accomplishment plan.
32.6 	(h) Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation - 
32.7 	Phase II
32.8 	$1,410,000 in the second year is to the 
32.9 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
32.10 	agreement with the Lake Superior Steelhead 
32.11 	Association to enhance trout habitat in the 
32.12 	Knife River watershed. A list of proposed 
32.13 	enhancements must be provided as part of 
32.14 	the required accomplishment plan.
32.15 	(i) Restoration and Enhancement of 
32.16 	Washington County Public Lands
32.17 	$430,000 in the second year is to the 
32.18 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
32.19 	agreement with Washington County to 
32.20 	restore and enhance habitat on public lands 
32.21 	in Washington County. A restoration and 
32.22 	enhancement plan and a list of proposed 
32.23 	land restorations and enhancements 
32.24 	must be provided as part of the required 
32.25 	accomplishment plan.
32.26 	(j) Wirth Park Enhancements
32.27 	$600,000 in the second year is to the 
32.28 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
32.29 	agreement with the Minneapolis Park Board 
32.30 	to enhance riparian and upland habitat 
32.31 	within Wirth Park in Hennepin County. 
32.32 	A restoration and enhancement plan and 
32.33 	a list of proposed land restorations and 
32.34 	enhancements must be provided as part of 
32.35 	the required accomplishment plan.
33.1 	(k) Evaluate Effectiveness of Aquatic 
33.2 	Invasive Species Prevention Strategies
33.3 	$4,040,000 in the second year is to the 
33.4 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
33.5 	agreement with the Central Minnesota 
33.6 	Initiative Fund to develop a series of pilot 
33.7 	projects to enhance aquatic habitat by 
33.8 	preventing the spread of aquatic invasive 
33.9 	species, including pilot projects conducting 
33.10 	education and outreach, inspection and 
33.11 	decontamination, enforcement, and other 
33.12 	activities. All pilot projects must be 
33.13 	conducted on a reimbursement basis and 
33.14 	require a match of nonoutdoor heritage fund 
33.15 	dollars. A required evaluation of results 
33.16 	must be funded with nonoutdoor heritage 
33.17 	fund dollars. The required evaluation must 
33.18 	evaluate the efficacy of inspection and 
33.19 	decontamination activities utilized in any of 
33.20 	the pilot projects in preventing the spread 
33.21 	of aquatic invasive species. A list of pilot 
33.22 	projects must be included in the required final 
33.23 	report. This appropriation is available until 
33.24 	June 30, 2019. The accomplishment plan 
33.25 	must accelerate the start of the pilot project.
33.26 	(l) Albert Lea Lake Management and 
33.27 	Invasive Species Control Structure - 
33.28 	Supplement
33.29 	$700,000 in the second year is added to 
33.30 	the appropriation contained in Laws 2013, 
33.31 	chapter 137, article 1, section 2, subdivision 
33.32 	5, paragraph (h), to the commissioner of 
33.33 	natural resources for an agreement with 
33.34 	the Shell Rock River Watershed District to 
34.1 	construct structural deterrents and lake level 
34.2 	controls.
34.3 	(m) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant 
34.4 	Program - Phase VI
34.5 	$4,550,000 in the second year is to the 
34.6 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
34.7 	program to provide competitive, matching 
34.8 	grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, 
34.9 	state, and national organizations for 
34.10 	enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, 
34.11 	wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, 
34.12 	or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not 
34.13 	be made for activities required to fulfill 
34.14 	the duties of owners of lands subject to 
34.15 	conservation easements. Grants shall not 
34.16 	be made from the appropriation in this 
34.17 	paragraph for projects that have a total 
34.18 	project cost exceeding $575,000. Of this 
34.19 	appropriation, $460,000 may be spent 
34.20 	for personnel costs and other direct and 
34.21 	necessary administrative costs. Grantees may 
34.22 	acquire land or interests in land. Easements 
34.23 	must be permanent. Grants may not be used 
34.24 	to establish easement stewardship accounts. 
34.25 	Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting 
34.26 	and fishing during the open season unless 
34.27 	otherwise provided by law. Lands acquired 
34.28 	or lands with easements acquired with this 
34.29 	appropriation may not be used for emergency 
34.30 	haying and grazing in response to federal 
34.31 	or state disaster declarations. Conservation 
34.32 	grazing under a management plan that is 
34.33 	already being implemented may continue. 
34.34 	The program shall require a match of at 
34.35 	least ten percent from nonstate sources 
34.36 	for all grants. The match may be cash or 
35.1 	in-kind resources. For grant applications 
35.2 	of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall 
35.3 	provide a separate, simplified application 
35.4 	process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the 
35.5 	commissioner of natural resources shall, 
35.6 	when evaluating projects of equal value, 
35.7 	give priority to organizations that have a 
35.8 	history of receiving or charter to receive 
35.9 	private contributions for local conservation 
35.10 	or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a 
35.11 	conservation easement, priority shall be 
35.12 	given to projects associated with or within 
35.13 	one mile of existing wildlife management 
35.14 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 
35.15 	86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural 
35.16 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
35.17 	84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic 
35.18 	management areas under Minnesota Statutes, 
35.19 	sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. 
35.20 	All restoration or enhancement projects 
35.21 	must be on land permanently protected by 
35.22 	a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual 
35.23 	maintenance and protection of restored 
35.24 	and enhanced habitat, by a conservation 
35.25 	easement, or by public ownership or in public 
35.26 	waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 
35.27 	section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority 
35.28 	shall be given to restoration and enhancement 
35.29 	projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, 
35.30 	section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies 
35.31 	to grants awarded under this paragraph. 
35.32 	This appropriation is available until June 
35.33 	30, 2018. No less than five percent of the 
35.34 	amount of each grant must be held back from 
35.35 	reimbursement until the grant recipient has 
35.36 	completed a grant accomplishment report by 
36.1 	the deadline and in the form prescribed by 
36.2 	and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor 
36.3 	Heritage Council. The commissioner shall 
36.4 	provide notice of the grant program in 
36.5 	the game and fish law summary prepared 
36.6 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, 
36.7 	subdivision 2.
36.8 	(n) Conservation Partners Legacy Metro 
36.9 	Grant Program
36.10 	$4,000,000 in the second year is to the 
36.11 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
36.12 	program to provide competitive, matching 
36.13 	grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, 
36.14 	state, and national organizations for 
36.15 	enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, 
36.16 	wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, 
36.17 	or wildlife in the seven-county metropolitan 
36.18 	area and cities with a population of 50,000 
36.19 	or greater. Grants shall not be made for 
36.20 	activities required to fulfill the duties of 
36.21 	owners of lands subject to conservation 
36.22 	easements. Grants shall not be made from the 
36.23 	appropriation in this paragraph for projects 
36.24 	that have a total project cost exceeding 
36.25 	$575,000. Of this appropriation, $70,000 
36.26 	may be spent for direct and necessary 
36.27 	administrative costs. Grantees may acquire 
36.28 	land or interests in land. Easements must 
36.29 	be permanent. Grants may not be used to 
36.30 	establish easement stewardship accounts. 
36.31 	Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting 
36.32 	and fishing during the open season unless 
36.33 	otherwise provided by law. Lands acquired 
36.34 	or lands with easements acquired with this 
36.35 	appropriation may not be used for emergency 
36.36 	haying and grazing in response to federal 
37.1 	or state disaster declarations. Conservation 
37.2 	grazing under a management plan that is 
37.3 	already being implemented may continue. 
37.4 	The program shall require a match of at 
37.5 	least ten percent from nonstate sources 
37.6 	for all grants. The match may be cash or 
37.7 	in-kind resources. For grant applications 
37.8 	of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall 
37.9 	provide a separate, simplified application 
37.10 	process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the 
37.11 	commissioner of natural resources shall, 
37.12 	when evaluating projects of equal value, 
37.13 	give priority to organizations that have a 
37.14 	history of receiving or charter to receive 
37.15 	private contributions for local conservation 
37.16 	or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a 
37.17 	conservation easement, priority shall be 
37.18 	given to projects associated with or within 
37.19 	one mile of existing wildlife management 
37.20 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 
37.21 	86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural 
37.22 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
37.23 	84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic 
37.24 	management areas under Minnesota Statutes, 
37.25 	sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. 
37.26 	All restoration or enhancement projects 
37.27 	must be on land permanently protected by 
37.28 	a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual 
37.29 	maintenance and protection of restored 
37.30 	and enhanced habitat, by a conservation 
37.31 	easement, or by public ownership or in public 
37.32 	waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 
37.33 	section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority 
37.34 	shall be given to restoration and enhancement 
37.35 	projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, 
37.36 	section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies 
38.1 	to grants awarded under this paragraph. 
38.2 	This appropriation is available until June 
38.3 	30, 2018. No less than five percent of the 
38.4 	amount of each grant must be held back from 
38.5 	reimbursement until the grant recipient has 
38.6 	completed a grant accomplishment report by 
38.7 	the deadline and in the form prescribed by 
38.8 	and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor 
38.9 	Heritage Council. The commissioner shall 
38.10 	provide notice of the grant program in 
38.11 	the game and fish law summary prepared 
38.12 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, 
38.13 	subdivision 2.

38.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.