1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; appropriating money from environment and natural 
1.3 	resources trust fund; modifying provisions for Legislative-Citizen Commission 
1.4 	on Minnesota Resources;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 116P.05, 
1.5 	subdivision 2; 116P.08, subdivisions 5, 6, 7; 116P.09, subdivisions 1, 6, 8.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
1.8 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
1.9 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the 
1.10 	environment and natural resources trust fund, or another named fund, and are available for 
1.11 	the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2016" and "2017" used in this act 
1.12 	mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 
1.13 	30, 2016, or June 30, 2017, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2016. "The second 
1.14 	year" is fiscal year 2017. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

1.15				APPROPRIATIONS
	
1.16				Available for the Year
	
1.17				Ending June 30
	
1.18					2016
		2017

1.19	Sec. 2. MINNESOTA RESOURCES.

1.20	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	46,383,000
	$
	-0-

1.21	Appropriations by Fund
	
1.22		2016
	2017
	
2.1
2.2
2.3	Environment and 
natural resources 
trust fund
	46,324,000
	-0-
	
2.4
2.5	Great Lakes 
protection account
	59,000
	-0-
	
2.6 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
2.7 	purpose are specified in the following 
2.8 	subdivisions.
2.9 	Appropriations are available for two 
2.10 	years beginning July 1, 2015, unless 
2.11 	otherwise stated in the appropriation. Any 
2.12 	unencumbered balance remaining in the 
2.13 	first year does not cancel and is available 
2.14 	for the second year or until the end of the 
2.15 	appropriation.

2.16	Subd. 2.Definition
 					
2.17 	"Trust fund" means the Minnesota 
2.18 	environment and natural resources trust fund 
2.19 	referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.20 	116P.02, subdivision 6.

2.21
2.22	Subd. 3.Foundational Natural Resource Data 
and Information
 		12,932,000
		-0-
	
2.23 	(a) County Geologic Atlases - Part A
2.24 	$2,040,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
2.25 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
2.26 	of Minnesota for the Minnesota Geological 
2.27 	Survey to continue acceleration of the 
2.28 	production of county geologic atlases for 
2.29 	the purpose of sustainable management of 
2.30 	surface water and groundwater resources. 
2.31 	This appropriation is to complete Part A of 
2.32 	county geologic atlases, which focuses on the 
2.33 	properties and distribution of earth materials 
2.34 	in order to define aquifer boundaries and the 
2.35 	connection of aquifers to the land surface and 
2.36 	surface water resources. This appropriation 
3.1 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
3.2 	time the project must be completed and final 
3.3 	products delivered.
3.4 	(b) County Geologic Atlases - Part B
3.5 	$2,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
3.6 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
3.7 	to continue acceleration of the production of 
3.8 	county geologic atlases for the purpose of 
3.9 	sustainable management of surface water and 
3.10 	groundwater resources. This appropriation 
3.11 	is to complete Part B of county geologic 
3.12 	atlases, which focuses on the properties 
3.13 	and distribution of subsurface water found 
3.14 	within geologic formations mapped in Part 
3.15 	A in order to characterize the potential 
3.16 	yield of aquifers and their sensitivity 
3.17 	to contamination. This appropriation is 
3.18 	available until June 30, 2018, by which time 
3.19 	the project must be completed and final 
3.20 	products delivered.
3.21 	(c) Minnesota Biological Survey
3.22 	$2,700,000 the first year is from the 
3.23 	trust fund to the commissioner of natural 
3.24 	resources for continuation of the Minnesota 
3.25 	biological survey to provide a foundation 
3.26 	for conserving biological diversity by 
3.27 	systematically collecting, interpreting, 
3.28 	monitoring, and delivering data on plant and 
3.29 	animal distribution and ecology, native plant 
3.30 	communities, and functional landscapes. 
3.31 	(d) Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas for 
3.32 	Enhanced Natural Resource Management
3.33 	$340,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
3.34 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
3.35 	Minnesota for the Bell Museum of Natural 
4.1 	History to create a publicly accessible, online 
4.2 	tool and repository that will electronically 
4.3 	integrate over 600,000 existing biodiversity 
4.4 	records, 300,000 existing images, and future 
4.5 	data and associated imagery pertaining to 
4.6 	Minnesota wildlife, plant, and fungi species 
4.7 	in order to enhance research, guide field 
4.8 	surveys, and inform conservation planning. 
4.9 	This appropriation is available until June 
4.10 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
4.11 	completed and final products delivered.
4.12 	(e) Updating the National Wetland 
4.13 	Inventory for Minnesota - Phase V
4.14 	$1,500,000 the first year is from the 
4.15 	trust fund to the commissioner of natural 
4.16 	resources to continue to update and enhance 
4.17 	wetland inventory maps for Minnesota. This 
4.18 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
4.19 	2018, by which time the project must be 
4.20 	completed and final products delivered.
4.21 	(f) Creating a Statewide Wetland Bird 
4.22 	Monitoring Program
4.23 	$146,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
4.24 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
4.25 	an agreement with Audubon Minnesota to 
4.26 	develop a statewide wetland bird monitoring 
4.27 	program to enable long-term monitoring of 
4.28 	the status of wetland birds and the health of 
4.29 	their wetland habitats. This appropriation 
4.30 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
4.31 	time the project must be completed and final 
4.32 	products delivered.
4.33 	(g) Minnesota Native Bee Atlas
4.34 	$790,000 the first year is from the trust 
4.35 	fund to the Board of Regents of the 
5.1 	University of Minnesota to supplement 
5.2 	and enhance existing bee survey efforts by 
5.3 	engaging citizens in helping to document the 
5.4 	distribution and phenology of wild Minnesota 
5.5 	bees and integrating data from all related 
5.6 	bee survey efforts into a single publicly 
5.7 	accessible, online tool and repository. This 
5.8 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
5.9 	2019, by which time the project must be 
5.10 	completed and final products delivered.
5.11 	(h) Reintroduction and Interpretation of 
5.12 	Bison in Minnesota State Parks
5.13 	$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
5.14 	to the commissioner of natural resources to 
5.15 	preserve American bison by reintroducing 
5.16 	bison to Minneopa State Park and provide 
5.17 	interpretive learning opportunities at Blue 
5.18 	Mounds and Minneopa State Parks. This 
5.19 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
5.20 	2018, by which time the project must be 
5.21 	completed and final products delivered.
5.22 	(i) Endangered Bats, White-Nose 
5.23 	Syndrome, and Forest Habitat
5.24 	$1,250,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
5.25 	to the commissioner of natural resources in 
5.26 	cooperation with the University of Minnesota 
5.27 	and the United States Forest Service to 
5.28 	survey and radio-track endangered bats to 
5.29 	define and understand summer forest habitat 
5.30 	use in order to minimize forestry impacts 
5.31 	and mitigate white-nose syndrome disease 
5.32 	impacts. This appropriation is available until 
5.33 	June 30, 2018, by which time the project must 
5.34 	be completed and final products delivered.
6.1 	(j) Assessing Contaminants in Minnesota 
6.2 	Loons and Pelicans - Phase III
6.3 	$141,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
6.4 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
6.5 	to continue to assess the potential impact 
6.6 	of petroleum, dispersants, and heavy metal 
6.7 	contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon oil 
6.8 	spill in the Gulf of Mexico on the wintering 
6.9 	habitat of Minnesota's common loons 
6.10 	and white pelicans using radiotelemetry, 
6.11 	geolocators, and contaminant analysis.
6.12 	(k) Movement and Seasonal Habitat Use 
6.13 	of Minnesota Elk
6.14 	$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
6.15 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
6.16 	to collect biological information about 
6.17 	Minnesota elk, including movements and 
6.18 	habitat use to enable long-term, sustainable 
6.19 	management. This appropriation is 
6.20 	contingent on a $50,000 match from state 
6.21 	or nonstate sources. This appropriation is 
6.22 	available until June 30, 2018, by which time 
6.23 	the project must be completed and final 
6.24 	products delivered.
6.25 	(l) Genetic and Camera Techniques to 
6.26 	Estimate Carnivore Populations
6.27 	$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
6.28 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
6.29 	of Minnesota – Duluth for the Natural 
6.30 	Resources Research Institute to use genetic 
6.31 	sampling and remote cameras to improve 
6.32 	monitoring of distributions and estimate 
6.33 	population sizes of carnivore species.
6.34 	(m) Digitization of Historic Gullion Ruffed 
6.35 	Grouse Research
7.1 	$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
7.2 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
7.3 	an agreement with Central Lakes College 
7.4 	to preserve the Gordon Gullion ruffed 
7.5 	grouse data sets as permanent digital data 
7.6 	files in order to improve accessibility to 
7.7 	the information and inform forest wildlife 
7.8 	conservation policies and practices.
7.9 	(n) Effects of Grazing Versus Fire for 
7.10 	Prairie Management
7.11 	$414,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
7.12 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
7.13 	of Minnesota to compare the effects of 
7.14 	conservation grazing and prescribed fire 
7.15 	on tallgrass prairie plants and pollinators 
7.16 	in Minnesota in order to inform and 
7.17 	improve land management practices. This 
7.18 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
7.19 	2018, by which time the project must be 
7.20 	completed and final products delivered.
7.21 	(o) Assessing Ecological Impact of St. 
7.22 	Anthony Falls Lock Closure
7.23 	$125,000 the first year is from the trust fund to 
7.24 	the commissioner of natural resources for an 
7.25 	agreement with the Minneapolis Riverfront 
7.26 	Partnership to study the impact of altered 
7.27 	river flow due to closure of the Upper Lock 
7.28 	on the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls 
7.29 	on the physical and biological characteristics 
7.30 	of the river between the Coon Rapids Dam 
7.31 	and Lock and Dam No. 1 in order to inform 
7.32 	future river restoration efforts.
7.33 	(p) Foundational Dataset Characterizing 
7.34 	Historic Forest Disturbance Impacts
8.1 	$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
8.2 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
8.3 	of Minnesota to quantify forest disturbance 
8.4 	impacts over the past forty years on water 
8.5 	quality, wildlife demographics, and wood 
8.6 	fiber supply in order to identify management 
8.7 	strategies that better respond to disturbance 
8.8 	impacts and improve and sustain forest 
8.9 	resources. This appropriation is available 
8.10 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
8.11 	project must be completed and final products 
8.12 	delivered. 
8.13 	(q) Hydrologic Effects of Contemporary 
8.14 	Forest Practices in Minnesota
8.15 	$150,000 the first year is from the trust 
8.16 	fund to the Board of Regents of the 
8.17 	University of Minnesota to install hydrologic 
8.18 	monitoring stations to collect water quantity 
8.19 	and quality data from lands managed for 
8.20 	timber production to better understand the 
8.21 	relationship between harvest practices and 
8.22 	water resources and related responses to 
8.23 	changing climate and other disturbance 
8.24 	factors in order to inform forest management 
8.25 	practices. This appropriation is available 
8.26 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
8.27 	project must be completed and final products 
8.28 	delivered.
8.29 	(r) Habitat Mitigation for Goblin Fern 
8.30 	Conservation
8.31 	$61,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
8.32 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
8.33 	an agreement with the Leech Lake Band of 
8.34 	Ojibwe to examine goblin fern populations, a 
8.35 	threatened species in Minnesota, in relation 
9.1 	to habitat degradation and to develop 
9.2 	long-term habitat mitigation and species 
9.3 	conservation strategies. This appropriation 
9.4 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
9.5 	time the project must be completed and final 
9.6 	products delivered.

9.7	Subd. 4.Water Resources
 		3,065,000
		-0-
	
9.8 	(a) Understanding Water Scarcity, 
9.9 	Threats, and Values to Improve 
9.10 	Management
9.11 	$234,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
9.12 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
9.13 	Minnesota to model and map statewide water 
9.14 	scarcity and abundance; assess water-related 
9.15 	risks to industry, municipalities, and 
9.16 	ecosystems; and quantify the economic 
9.17 	values of changes in water quality and 
9.18 	quantity in order to inform long-term water 
9.19 	sustainability strategies. This appropriation 
9.20 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
9.21 	time the project must be completed and final 
9.22 	products delivered.
9.23 	(b) Biofilm Technology for Water Nutrient 
9.24 	Removal
9.25 	$281,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
9.26 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
9.27 	of Minnesota to develop a simulated lichen 
9.28 	biofilm system that can be used to remove 
9.29 	pollutants and recycle nutrients from storm 
9.30 	water runoff and polluted lakes, ponds, and 
9.31 	lagoons. This appropriation is subject to 
9.32 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This 
9.33 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
9.34 	2018, by which time the project must be 
9.35 	completed and final products delivered.
10.1 	(c) Biological Consequences of Septic 
10.2 	Pollution in Minnesota Lakes
10.3 	$364,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
10.4 	to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota 
10.5 	State Colleges and Universities system for 
10.6 	St. Cloud State University to assess the 
10.7 	presence of possible sources of contaminants 
10.8 	of emerging concern in Minnesota lakes 
10.9 	in order to determine their effects on fish 
10.10 	health, understand the potential contribution 
10.11 	from septic systems, and inform options 
10.12 	for remediation and prevention to protect 
10.13 	Minnesota lakes from these contaminants in 
10.14 	the future. This appropriation is available 
10.15 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
10.16 	project must be completed and final products 
10.17 	delivered.
10.18 	(d) Preventing Phosphorous from Entering 
10.19 	Water Resources through Drain Tiles
10.20 	$505,000 the first year is from the trust 
10.21 	fund to the Board of Regents of the 
10.22 	University of Minnesota to develop a new 
10.23 	nanocomposite material made from biomass 
10.24 	that is designed to adsorb phosphorus, 
10.25 	nitrogen, and pesticides from storm water 
10.26 	and drain tile runoff discharge for recycling 
10.27 	back to agricultural lands. This appropriation 
10.28 	is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
10.29 	116P.10.
10.30 	(e) Southeast Minnesota Cover Crop and 
10.31 	Soil Health Initiatives
10.32 	$253,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
10.33 	to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to 
10.34 	promote cover crops as a means of protecting 
10.35 	soil and water quality in southeastern 
11.1 	Minnesota through training and education 
11.2 	for local practitioners, economic analysis of 
11.3 	implementation, and on-farm demonstration 
11.4 	sites. This effort must be coordinated with 
11.5 	the University of Minnesota Forever Green 
11.6 	Initiative. This appropriation is available 
11.7 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
11.8 	project must be completed and final products 
11.9 	delivered.
11.10 	(f) Southeast Minnesota Subsurface 
11.11 	Drainage Impacts on Groundwater 
11.12 	Recharge
11.13 	$488,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
11.14 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
11.15 	for an agreement with the United States 
11.16 	Geological Survey to assess the relationship 
11.17 	between agricultural drainage and water 
11.18 	flow within the unique karst geology of 
11.19 	southeast Minnesota to characterize the 
11.20 	potential impacts of drainage on groundwater 
11.21 	recharge and groundwater sustainability in 
11.22 	the region. This appropriation is not subject 
11.23 	to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This 
11.24 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
11.25 	2019, by which time the project must be 
11.26 	completed and final products delivered. 
11.27 	(g) Using Hydroacoustics to Monitor 
11.28 	Sediment in Minnesota Rivers
11.29 	$455,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
11.30 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
11.31 	for an agreement with the United States 
11.32 	Geological Survey to install hydroacoustic 
11.33 	equipment on the lower Minnesota and 
11.34 	Mississippi Rivers to improve measurement 
11.35 	and monitoring accuracy for suspended 
12.1 	sediment and enhance ongoing sediment 
12.2 	reduction efforts by state, federal, and local 
12.3 	agencies. This appropriation is not subject 
12.4 	to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This 
12.5 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
12.6 	2019, by which time the project must be 
12.7 	completed and final products delivered.
12.8 	(h) Assessment of Irrigation Efficiencies in 
12.9 	Benton County
12.10 	$431,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
12.11 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
12.12 	for an agreement with Benton Soil and 
12.13 	Water Conservation District to develop and 
12.14 	implement a decision support system to 
12.15 	increase irrigation efficiencies and provide 
12.16 	outreach on irrigation best management 
12.17 	practices. Software developed with this 
12.18 	appropriation must be available in the public 
12.19 	domain. Project efforts should be coordinated 
12.20 	with the Department of Natural Resources. 
12.21 	This appropriation is available until June 
12.22 	30, 2019, by which time the project must be 
12.23 	completed and final products delivered.
12.24 	(i) Shoreview Water Consumption and 
12.25 	Groundwater Awareness Project
12.26 	$54,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
12.27 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
12.28 	an agreement with the city of Shoreview 
12.29 	to provide biweekly water consumption 
12.30 	data to at least 400 residential households 
12.31 	for a two-year period to determine whether 
12.32 	additional groundwater can be conserved 
12.33 	with greater awareness of consumption data. 
12.34 	This appropriation is available until June 
13.1 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
13.2 	completed and final products delivered.

13.3	Subd. 5.Environmental Education
 		1,004,000
		-0-
	
13.4 	(a) Trap Shooting Sports Facility Grants
13.5 	$132,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
13.6 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
13.7 	for trap shooting sports facility grants under 
13.8 	Minnesota Statutes, section 87A.10.
13.9 	(b) Connecting Students with Watersheds 
13.10 	through Hands-On Learning
13.11 	$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to 
13.12 	the commissioner of natural resources for an 
13.13 	agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited 
13.14 	to provide hands-on learning focused on 
13.15 	water quality, groundwater, aquatic life, 
13.16 	and watershed health stewardship. This 
13.17 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
13.18 	2018, by which time the project must be 
13.19 	completed and final products delivered.
13.20 	(c) Zumbro River Watershed Recreational 
13.21 	Learning Stewardship Sites
13.22 	$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
13.23 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
13.24 	an agreement with the Zumbro Watershed 
13.25 	Partnership to develop at least six recreational 
13.26 	and educational sites on the Zumbro River 
13.27 	with water quality demonstration elements 
13.28 	and interpretative signage designed to 
13.29 	encourage adoption of water protection 
13.30 	practices. No more than 15 percent of this 
13.31 	appropriation may be spent on site and 
13.32 	construction consultation, planning, and 
13.33 	design. Any plantings or restoration activities 
13.34 	conducted with this appropriation must use 
14.1 	native plant species according to the Board of 
14.2 	Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation 
14.3 	establishment and enhancement guidelines. 
14.4 	This appropriation is available until June 
14.5 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
14.6 	completed and final products delivered.
14.7 	(d) Students Engaging Local Watersheds 
14.8 	Using Mobile Technologies
14.9 	$147,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
14.10 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
14.11 	for an agreement with Twin Cities Public 
14.12 	Television to deliver an experiential, 
14.13 	project-based educational program using 
14.14 	mobile technologies to empower at least 200 
14.15 	middle school students in 4-H programs to 
14.16 	engage in understanding and protecting local 
14.17 	water resources.
14.18 	(e) Mississippi River Water Journey 
14.19 	Camps
14.20 	$25,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
14.21 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
14.22 	Minnesota to design and pilot two week-long 
14.23 	summer camps for youth ages 6 to 11 focused 
14.24 	around clean water and the Mississippi 
14.25 	River and designed to get children outdoors 
14.26 	exploring and engaged with the natural 
14.27 	environment and creating educational 
14.28 	materials to help their communities protect 
14.29 	water quality.

14.30
14.31	Subd. 6.Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive 
Species
 		6,071,000
		-0-
	
14.32 	(a) Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants 
14.33 	and Pests Center
14.34 	$5,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
14.35 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
15.1 	of Minnesota for the Invasive Terrestrial 
15.2 	Plants and Pests Center established in Laws 
15.3 	2014, chapter 312, article 13, section 44, 
15.4 	to conduct research to prevent, minimize, 
15.5 	and mitigate the threats and impacts posed 
15.6 	by invasive plants, pathogens, and pests to 
15.7 	the state's prairies, forests, wetlands, and 
15.8 	agricultural resources. This appropriation 
15.9 	is available until June 30, 2023, by which 
15.10 	time the project must be completed and final 
15.11 	products delivered.
15.12 	(b) Emerald Ash Borer Ecological and 
15.13 	Hydrological Impacts - Phase II
15.14 	$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
15.15 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
15.16 	of Minnesota to assess the potential impacts 
15.17 	of emerald ash borer on Minnesota black 
15.18 	ash forests and quantify potential impacts 
15.19 	on native forest vegetation, invasive species 
15.20 	spread, and hydrology. This appropriation 
15.21 	is available until June 30, 2020, by which 
15.22 	time the project must be completed and final 
15.23 	products delivered.
15.24 	(c) Biological Control of Canada Thistle
15.25 	$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
15.26 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
15.27 	Minnesota to develop a biological control for 
15.28 	Canada thistle, an invasive plant species in 
15.29 	Minnesota. This appropriation is available 
15.30 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
15.31 	project must be completed and final products 
15.32 	delivered.
15.33 	(d) Preventing New Disease of Pines in 
15.34 	Minnesota
16.1 	$371,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
16.2 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
16.3 	Minnesota to establish early detection for 
16.4 	heterobasidion, an invasive root rot fungus, 
16.5 	and develop efforts to prevent its spread 
16.6 	and reduce its impact. This appropriation 
16.7 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
16.8 	time the project must be completed and final 
16.9 	products delivered.

16.10
16.11	Subd. 7.Air Quality, Climate Change, and 
Renewable Energy
 		2,268,000
		-0-
	
16.12 	(a) Renewable and Sustainable Fertilizers 
16.13 	Produced Locally
16.14 	$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
16.15 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
16.16 	of Minnesota for the Morris West Central 
16.17 	Research and Outreach Center and Twin 
16.18 	Cities Campus to develop and demonstrate 
16.19 	new technologies aimed at enabling 
16.20 	renewable and sustainable production of 
16.21 	ammonia for fertilizer in a localized manner. 
16.22 	This appropriation is subject to Minnesota 
16.23 	Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation 
16.24 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
16.25 	time the project must be completed and final 
16.26 	products delivered.
16.27 	(b) Reducing Emissions from Open 
16.28 	Burning through Biomass Gasification
16.29 	$268,000 the first year is from the trust 
16.30 	fund to the Board of Regents of the 
16.31 	University of Minnesota in cooperation with 
16.32 	the Department of Natural Resources to 
16.33 	characterize and promote distributed biomass 
16.34 	gasification of wood waste as a means for 
16.35 	producing renewable and sustainable energy 
17.1 	in rural areas through a demonstration at the 
17.2 	Department of Natural Resources regional 
17.3 	office facility in New Ulm.
17.4 	(c) Building Deconstruction to Reduce 
17.5 	Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Solid 
17.6 	Waste
17.7 	$845,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
17.8 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
17.9 	an agreement with Better Futures Minnesota 
17.10 	in cooperation with the Northwest Indian 
17.11 	Opportunities Industrialization Center 
17.12 	and $155,000 the first year is from the 
17.13 	trust fund to the Board of Regents of the 
17.14 	University of Minnesota – Duluth for the 
17.15 	Natural Resources Research Institute to 
17.16 	develop and test a model for implementing 
17.17 	building deconstruction and material reuse 
17.18 	as a competitive alternative to demolition 
17.19 	for the purpose of reducing greenhouse 
17.20 	gas emissions, reducing landfill waste, and 
17.21 	providing job training. The project report 
17.22 	must quantify and document greenhouse gas 
17.23 	emissions reductions resulting from specific 
17.24 	deconstruction techniques and materials 
17.25 	reuses.

17.26
17.27	Subd. 8.Methods to Protect, Restore, and 
Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat
 		5,646,000
		-0-

17.28	Appropriations by Fund
	
17.29
17.30
17.31	Environment and 
natural resources 
trust fund
	5,587,000
	-0-
	
17.32
17.33	Great Lakes 
protection account
	59,000
	-0-
	
17.34 	(a) Prioritizing Future Management of 
17.35 	North Shore Trout Streams 
18.1 	$357,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
18.2 	and $59,000 the first year is from the Great 
18.3 	Lakes protection account to the Board of 
18.4 	Regents of the University of Minnesota – 
18.5 	Duluth for the Natural Resources Research 
18.6 	Institute to identify key areas in North Shore 
18.7 	streams that supply the cold groundwater 
18.8 	essential to sustaining trout fisheries, in order 
18.9 	to focus habitat restoration, protection, and 
18.10 	management efforts on the areas that are 
18.11 	most essential for long-term stream health 
18.12 	and sustainability. This appropriation is 
18.13 	available until June 30, 2018, by which time 
18.14 	the project must be completed and final 
18.15 	products delivered. 
18.16 	(b) Propagating Native Plants and 
18.17 	Restoring Diverse Habitats
18.18 	$495,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
18.19 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
18.20 	for an agreement with the Martin County 
18.21 	Soil and Water Conservation District for a 
18.22 	cooperative 13-county effort by Blue Earth, 
18.23 	Brown, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Faribault, 
18.24 	Freeborn, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Martin, 
18.25 	Nicollet, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties to 
18.26 	protect and expand native forest and prairie 
18.27 	habitat for species in greatest conservation 
18.28 	need in four regions of the state through 
18.29 	collection and propagation of local ecotype 
18.30 	native plants, habitat restoration efforts, and 
18.31 	educational outreach. This appropriation 
18.32 	is available until June 30, 2020, by which 
18.33 	time the project must be completed and final 
18.34 	products delivered.
19.1 	(c) Preserving and Protecting Minnesota 
19.2 	Native Orchid Species
19.3 	$167,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
19.4 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
19.5 	of Minnesota for the Minnesota Landscape 
19.6 	Arboretum for propagation and cultivation 
19.7 	research to enable long-term conservation 
19.8 	of at least 15 selected species of the 48 
19.9 	native orchid species in Minnesota. This 
19.10 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
19.11 	2018, by which time the project must be 
19.12 	completed and final products delivered.
19.13 	(d) Acceleration of Minnesota 
19.14 	Conservation Assistance – Final Phase
19.15 	$2,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
19.16 	fund to the Board of Water and Soil 
19.17 	Resources for the final phase of a pilot 
19.18 	program to provide grants to soil and water 
19.19 	conservation districts and other units of local 
19.20 	and state government for employment of 
19.21 	staff to provide technical assistance to secure 
19.22 	enrollment and retention of private lands 
19.23 	in federal and state conservation programs. 
19.24 	This appropriation is available until June 
19.25 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
19.26 	completed and final products delivered.
19.27 	(e) Metro Conservation Corridors - 
19.28 	Phase VIII Prairie, Forest, and Savanna 
19.29 	Restoration
19.30 	$276,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
19.31 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
19.32 	for an agreement with the Friends of the 
19.33 	Mississippi River for Phase VIII of the 
19.34 	Metro Conservation Corridors partnership 
19.35 	to conduct restoration activities on at least 
20.1 	260 acres of forest and savanna and at least 
20.2 	160 acres of prairie to preserve and increase 
20.3 	wildlife habitat in the metropolitan area, as 
20.4 	defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 
20.5 	473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the 
20.6 	surrounding counties. Expenditures are 
20.7 	limited to the identified project corridor 
20.8 	areas as defined in the work plan. A list 
20.9 	of proposed restorations must be provided 
20.10 	as part of the required work plan. This 
20.11 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
20.12 	2018, by which time the project must be 
20.13 	completed and final products delivered.
20.14 	(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase 
20.15 	VIII Enhancing Restoration Techniques 
20.16 	for Improved Climate Resilience and 
20.17 	Pollinator Conservation
20.18 	$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
20.19 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
20.20 	an agreement with Great River Greening 
20.21 	for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation 
20.22 	Corridors partnership to pilot and evaluate 
20.23 	innovative restoration techniques aimed 
20.24 	at improving the resilience of bur oak 
20.25 	communities to changing climate conditions 
20.26 	and enhancing prairie management to benefit 
20.27 	pollinators with the help and engagement 
20.28 	of citizen volunteers. Expenditures on 
20.29 	restoration efforts are limited to the identified 
20.30 	project corridor areas as defined in the work 
20.31 	plan. A list of proposed restorations must be 
20.32 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
20.33 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
20.34 	2018, by which point the project must be 
20.35 	completed and final products delivered.
21.1 	(g) Minnesota State University Moorhead 
21.2 	Prairie and Riparian Restoration and 
21.3 	Monitoring
21.4 	$527,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
21.5 	to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota 
21.6 	State Colleges and Universities system 
21.7 	for Minnesota State University Moorhead 
21.8 	in cooperation with the Department of 
21.9 	Natural Resources to restore and monitor 
21.10 	160 acres of prairie and riparian habitat 
21.11 	and develop and disseminate monitoring 
21.12 	protocols. This appropriation is contingent 
21.13 	upon the donation of a 60-acre parcel to 
21.14 	Minnesota State University Moorhead from 
21.15 	the Minnesota State University Moorhead 
21.16 	Alumni Foundation and is available until 
21.17 	June 30, 2020, by which time the project must 
21.18 	be completed and final products delivered.
21.19 	(h) Improving Community Forests 
21.20 	Through Citizen Engagement
21.21 	$800,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
21.22 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
21.23 	to design and pilot a program, including 
21.24 	grants to communities, to mobilize citizen 
21.25 	volunteers to protect, improve, and maintain 
21.26 	local forests in communities around the state. 
21.27 	Participation is open to any municipality in 
21.28 	the state and participating municipalities will 
21.29 	be selected through a competitive proposal 
21.30 	process that will include representation from 
21.31 	both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan 
21.32 	areas of the state. Trees planted using this 
21.33 	appropriation must be species that are native 
21.34 	to Minnesota. A participating municipality 
21.35 	must provide a match of not less than 25 
22.1 	percent, up to half of which may be in the 
22.2 	form of in-kind support. This appropriation 
22.3 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
22.4 	time the project must be completed and final 
22.5 	products delivered.
22.6 	(i) Flood Recovery on Sargent Creek in 
22.7 	Duluth
22.8 	$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
22.9 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
22.10 	for an agreement with the city of Duluth to 
22.11 	re-establish stable and natural streambanks 
22.12 	with riparian and aquatic habitat restoration 
22.13 	on at least 5,400 linear feet of Sargent Creek 
22.14 	in Duluth destroyed during the flood of 2012.
22.15 	(j) Shoreland Protection for Lower St. 
22.16 	Croix River
22.17 	$190,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
22.18 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
22.19 	for an agreement with the St. Croix River 
22.20 	Association to provide technical assistance 
22.21 	to landowners, local governments, realtors, 
22.22 	and developers on shoreland conservation 
22.23 	and protection of the lower St. Croix River. 
22.24 	This appropriation is available until June 
22.25 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
22.26 	completed and final products delivered. 
22.27 	(k) Redwood and Renville Counties 
22.28 	Outdoor Recreation and Conservation 
22.29 	Master Plan
22.30 	$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
22.31 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
22.32 	for an agreement with Renville County 
22.33 	in cooperation with Redwood County to 
22.34 	develop a joint outdoor recreation and 
22.35 	conservation master plan to guide future 
23.1 	development and protect cultural, historical, 
23.2 	and natural resources in the Minnesota River 
23.3 	Valley.

23.4
23.5	Subd. 9.Land Acquisition for Habitat and 
Recreation
 		14,190,000
		-0-
	
23.6 	(a) State Parks and Trails Land 
23.7 	Acquisitions
23.8 	$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust 
23.9 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
23.10 	to acquire at least 335 acres for authorized 
23.11 	state trails and critical parcels within the 
23.12 	statutory boundaries of state parks. State 
23.13 	park land acquired with this appropriation 
23.14 	must be sufficiently improved to meet at 
23.15 	least minimum management standards, as 
23.16 	determined by the commissioner of natural 
23.17 	resources. A list of proposed acquisitions 
23.18 	must be provided as part of the required work 
23.19 	plan. This appropriation is available until 
23.20 	June 30, 2018, by which time the project must 
23.21 	be completed and final products delivered.
23.22 	(b) Metropolitan Regional Park System 
23.23 	Land Acquisition – Phase IV
23.24 	$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
23.25 	fund to the Metropolitan Council for grants 
23.26 	to acquire at least 133 acres of lands within 
23.27 	the approved park unit boundaries of the 
23.28 	metropolitan regional park system. This 
23.29 	appropriation may not be used to purchase 
23.30 	habitable residential structures. A list of 
23.31 	proposed fee title and easement acquisitions 
23.32 	must be provided as part of the required work 
23.33 	plan. This appropriation must be matched 
23.34 	by at least 40 percent of nonstate money that 
23.35 	must be committed by December 31, 2015, or 
24.1 	the appropriation cancels. This appropriation 
24.2 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
24.3 	time the project must be completed and final 
24.4 	products delivered.
24.5 	(c) SNA Acquisition, Restoration, 
24.6 	Enhancement, and Public Engagement
24.7 	$4,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
24.8 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
24.9 	to acquire at least 350 acres of lands with 
24.10 	high-quality native plant communities and 
24.11 	rare features to be established as scientific 
24.12 	and natural areas as provided in Minnesota 
24.13 	Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5, 
24.14 	restore and improve at least 550 acres of 
24.15 	scientific and natural areas, and provide 
24.16 	technical assistance and outreach. A list of 
24.17 	proposed acquisitions must be provided as 
24.18 	part of the required work plan. Land acquired 
24.19 	with this appropriation must be sufficiently 
24.20 	improved to meet at least minimum 
24.21 	management standards, as determined by 
24.22 	the commissioner of natural resources. This 
24.23 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
24.24 	2018, by which time the project must be 
24.25 	completed and final products delivered.
24.26 	(d) Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie 
24.27 	Bank Easement Acquisition
24.28 	$3,325,000 the first year is from the trust 
24.29 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
24.30 	to acquire native prairie bank easements on 
24.31 	at least 675 acres, prepare baseline property 
24.32 	assessments, restore and enhance at least 
24.33 	1,000 acres of native prairie sites, and provide 
24.34 	technical assistance to landowners. Of this 
24.35 	amount, up to $135,000 must be deposited 
25.1 	in a conservation easement stewardship 
25.2 	account. Deposits into the conservation 
25.3 	easement stewardship account must be made 
25.4 	upon closing on conservation easements or at 
25.5 	a time otherwise approved in the work plan. 
25.6 	A list of proposed easement acquisitions must 
25.7 	be provided as part of the required work plan. 
25.8 	This appropriation is available until June 
25.9 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
25.10 	completed and final products delivered.
25.11 	(e) Metro Conservation Corridors - 
25.12 	Phase VIII Coordination, Mapping, and 
25.13 	Conservation Easements
25.14 	$515,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
25.15 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
25.16 	for an agreement with the Minnesota 
25.17 	Land Trust for Phase VIII of the Metro 
25.18 	Conservation Corridors partnership to 
25.19 	provide coordination and mapping for 
25.20 	the partnership and to acquire permanent 
25.21 	conservation easements on at least 120 acres 
25.22 	of strategic ecological landscapes to protect 
25.23 	priority natural areas in the metropolitan 
25.24 	area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, 
25.25 	section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions 
25.26 	of the surrounding counties. A list of 
25.27 	proposed easement acquisitions must be 
25.28 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
25.29 	Land acquired with this appropriation 
25.30 	must be sufficiently improved to meet at 
25.31 	least minimum management standards, as 
25.32 	determined by the commissioner of natural 
25.33 	resources. Expenditures are limited to the 
25.34 	identified project corridor areas as defined in 
25.35 	the work plan. Up to $40,000 may be used 
25.36 	for coordination and mapping for the Metro 
26.1 	Conservation Corridors. All conservation 
26.2 	easements must be perpetual and have a 
26.3 	natural resource management plan. A list 
26.4 	of proposed easement acquisitions must be 
26.5 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
26.6 	This appropriation is available June 30, 2018, 
26.7 	by which time the project must be completed 
26.8 	and final products delivered.
26.9 	(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase 
26.10 	VIII Strategic Lands Protection
26.11 	$750,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
26.12 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
26.13 	an agreement with The Trust for Public Land 
26.14 	for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation 
26.15 	Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at 
26.16 	least 35 acres of high-quality priority state 
26.17 	and local natural areas in the metropolitan 
26.18 	area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, 
26.19 	section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions 
26.20 	of the surrounding counties. A list of 
26.21 	proposed acquisitions must be provided as 
26.22 	part of the required work plan. Land acquired 
26.23 	with this appropriation must be sufficiently 
26.24 	improved to meet at least minimum 
26.25 	management standards, as determined by 
26.26 	the commissioner of natural resources. 
26.27 	Expenditures are limited to the identified 
26.28 	project corridor areas as defined in the work 
26.29 	plan. This appropriation may not be used 
26.30 	to purchase habitable residential structures, 
26.31 	unless expressly approved in the work 
26.32 	plan. A list of fee title acquisitions must be 
26.33 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
26.34 	This appropriation is available until June 
26.35 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
26.36 	completed and final products delivered.
27.1 	(g) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase 
27.2 	VIII Priority Expansion of Minnesota 
27.3 	Valley National Wildlife Refuge
27.4 	$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
27.5 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
27.6 	for an agreement with the Minnesota Valley 
27.7 	National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. for 
27.8 	Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation 
27.9 	Corridors partnership to acquire in fee 
27.10 	at least 100 acres of priority habitat for 
27.11 	the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife 
27.12 	Refuge in the metropolitan area, as defined 
27.13 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, 
27.14 	subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding 
27.15 	counties. A list of proposed acquisitions 
27.16 	must be provided as part of the required work 
27.17 	plan. Land acquired with this appropriation 
27.18 	must be sufficiently improved to meet at 
27.19 	least minimum management standards. 
27.20 	Expenditures are limited to the identified 
27.21 	project corridor areas as defined in the work 
27.22 	plan. This appropriation may not be used 
27.23 	to purchase habitable residential structures, 
27.24 	unless expressly approved in the work plan. 
27.25 	This appropriation is available until June 
27.26 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
27.27 	completed and final products delivered.
27.28 	(h) Metro Conservation Corridors - 
27.29 	Phase VIII Wildlife Management Area 
27.30 	Acquisition
27.31 	$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
27.32 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
27.33 	for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation 
27.34 	Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at 
27.35 	least 82 acres along the lower reaches of the 
28.1 	Vermillion River in Dakota County within 
28.2 	the Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area. 
28.3 	Land acquired with this appropriation must 
28.4 	be sufficiently improved to meet at least 
28.5 	minimum management standards. This 
28.6 	appropriation may not be used to purchase 
28.7 	habitable residential structures, unless 
28.8 	expressly approved in the work plan. This 
28.9 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
28.10 	2018, by which time the project must be 
28.11 	completed and final products delivered.
28.12 	(i) Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to 
28.13 	Ely – Phase II
28.14 	$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
28.15 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
28.16 	for an agreement with the St. Louis and 
28.17 	Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority 
28.18 	for the right-of-way acquisition, design, 
28.19 	and construction of segments of the Mesabi 
28.20 	Trail, totaling approximately seven miles 
28.21 	between Soudan and Ely. This appropriation 
28.22 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
28.23 	time the project must be completed and final 
28.24 	products delivered.
28.25 	(j) Multi-benefit Watershed Scale 
28.26 	Conservation on North Central Lakes
28.27 	$950,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
28.28 	to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to 
28.29 	secure permanent conservation easements 
28.30 	on at least 480 acres of high-quality habitat 
28.31 	in Crow Wing and Cass Counties. Of this 
28.32 	amount, up to $65,000 must be deposited in a 
28.33 	conservation easement stewardship account; 
28.34 	and $54,000 is for an agreement with the 
28.35 	Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation in 
29.1 	cooperation with Crow Wing County Soil 
29.2 	and Water Conservation District and Cass 
29.3 	County Soil and Water Conservation District. 
29.4 	Deposits into the conservation easement 
29.5 	stewardship account must be made upon 
29.6 	closing on conservation easements or at a 
29.7 	time otherwise approved in the work plan. A 
29.8 	list of proposed easement acquisitions must 
29.9 	be provided as part of the required work plan. 
29.10 	This appropriation is available until June 
29.11 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
29.12 	completed and final products delivered.
29.13 	(k) Conservation Easement Assessment 
29.14 	and Valuation System Development
29.15 	$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
29.16 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
29.17 	of Minnesota to assess the effectiveness of 
29.18 	existing conservation easements acquired 
29.19 	through state expenditures at achieving 
29.20 	their intended outcomes of public value 
29.21 	and ecological benefits and to develop 
29.22 	a standardized, objective conservation 
29.23 	easement valuation system for guiding future 
29.24 	state investments in conservation easements 
29.25 	to ensure the proposed environmental 
29.26 	benefits are being achieved in a cost-effective 
29.27 	manner. This appropriation is available until 
29.28 	June 30, 2018, by which time the project must 
29.29 	be completed and final products delivered.

29.30
29.31	Subd. 10.Administration and Contract 
Agreement Reimbursement
 		1,207,000
		-0-
	
29.32 	(a) Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
29.33 	Minnesota Resources
29.34 	$1,072,000 the first year is from the trust 
29.35 	fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission 
30.1 	on Minnesota Resources for administration 
30.2 	in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 as provided 
30.3 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09, 
30.4 	subdivision 5.
30.5 	(b) Contract Agreement Reimbursement
30.6 	$135,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
30.7 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
30.8 	at the direction of the Legislative-Citizen 
30.9 	Commission on Minnesota Resources for 
30.10 	expenses incurred for contract agreement 
30.11 	reimbursement for the agreements specified 
30.12 	in this section. The commissioner 
30.13 	shall provide documentation to the 
30.14 	Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
30.15 	Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of 
30.16 	these funds.

30.17	Subd. 11.Availability of Appropriations
 					
30.18 	Money appropriated in this section may 
30.19 	not be spent on activities unless they are 
30.20 	directly related to and necessary for a specific 
30.21 	appropriation and are specified in the work 
30.22 	plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen 
30.23 	Commission on Minnesota Resources. 
30.24 	Money appropriated in this section must 
30.25 	not be spent on indirect costs or other 
30.26 	institutional overhead charges that are 
30.27 	not directly related to and necessary for 
30.28 	a specific appropriation. Costs that are 
30.29 	directly related to and necessary for an 
30.30 	appropriation, including financial services, 
30.31 	human resources, information services, rent, 
30.32 	and utilities, are eligible only if the costs 
30.33 	can be clearly justified and individually 
30.34 	documented specific to the appropriation's 
30.35 	purpose and would not be generated by 
31.1 	the recipient but for the receipt of the 
31.2 	appropriation. No broad allocations for costs 
31.3 	in either dollars or percentages are allowed. 
31.4 	Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in 
31.5 	this section are available until June 30, 2017, 
31.6 	when projects must be completed and final 
31.7 	products delivered. For acquisition of real 
31.8 	property, the appropriations in this section 
31.9 	are available for an additional fiscal year if a 
31.10 	binding contract for acquisition of the real 
31.11 	property is entered into before the original 
31.12 	expiration date of the appropriation. If a 
31.13 	project receives a federal grant, the time 
31.14 	period of the appropriation is extended to 
31.15 	equal the federal grant period.

31.16	Subd. 12.Data Availability Requirements
 					
31.17 	Data collected by the projects funded under 
31.18 	this section must conform to guidelines 
31.19 	and standards adopted by MN.IT Services. 
31.20 	Spatial data also must conform to additional 
31.21 	guidelines and standards designed to support 
31.22 	data coordination and distribution that have 
31.23 	been published by the Minnesota Geospatial 
31.24 	Information Office. Descriptions of spatial 
31.25 	data must be prepared as specified in 
31.26 	the state's geographic metadata guideline 
31.27 	and must be submitted to the Minnesota 
31.28 	Geospatial Information Office. All data must 
31.29 	be accessible and free to the public unless 
31.30 	made private under the Data Practices Act, 
31.31 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. To the extent 
31.32 	practicable, summary data and results of 
31.33 	projects funded under this section should 
31.34 	be readily accessible on the Internet and 
31.35 	identified as having received funding from 
32.1 	the environment and natural resources trust 
32.2 	fund.

32.3	Subd. 13.Project Requirements
 					
32.4 	(a) As a condition of accepting an 
32.5 	appropriation under this section, an agency 
32.6 	or entity receiving an appropriation or a 
32.7 	party to an agreement from an appropriation 
32.8 	must comply with paragraphs (b) to (l) 
32.9 	and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P, and 
32.10 	must submit a work plan and semiannual 
32.11 	progress reports in the form determined 
32.12 	by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
32.13 	Minnesota Resources for any project funded 
32.14 	in whole or in part with funds from the 
32.15 	appropriation. Modifications to the approved 
32.16 	work plan and budget expenditures must 
32.17 	be made through the amendment process 
32.18 	established by the Legislative-Citizen 
32.19 	Commission on Minnesota Resources.
32.20 	(b) A recipient of money appropriated in 
32.21 	this section that conducts a restoration using 
32.22 	funds appropriated in this section must use 
32.23 	native plant species according to the Board of 
32.24 	Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation 
32.25 	establishment and enhancement guidelines 
32.26 	and include an appropriate diversity of 
32.27 	native species selected to provide habitat for 
32.28 	pollinators throughout the growing season as 
32.29 	required under Minnesota Statutes, section 
32.30 	84.973.
32.31 	(c) For all restorations conducted with money 
32.32 	appropriated under this section, a recipient 
32.33 	must prepare an ecological restoration 
32.34 	and management plan that, to the degree 
32.35 	practicable, is consistent with the highest 
33.1 	quality conservation and ecological goals for 
33.2 	the restoration site. Consideration should 
33.3 	be given to soil, geology, topography, and 
33.4 	other relevant factors that would provide 
33.5 	the best chance for long-term success and 
33.6 	durability of the restoration projects. The 
33.7 	plan must include the proposed timetable 
33.8 	for implementing the restoration, including 
33.9 	site preparation, establishment of diverse 
33.10 	plant species, maintenance, and additional 
33.11 	enhancement to establish the restoration; 
33.12 	identify long-term maintenance and 
33.13 	management needs of the restoration and 
33.14 	how the maintenance, management, and 
33.15 	enhancement will be financed; and take 
33.16 	advantage of the best available science and 
33.17 	include innovative techniques to achieve the 
33.18 	best restoration.
33.19 	(d) An entity receiving an appropriation in 
33.20 	this section for restoration activities must 
33.21 	provide an initial restoration evaluation 
33.22 	at the completion of the appropriation 
33.23 	and an evaluation three years beyond the 
33.24 	completion of the expenditure. Restorations 
33.25 	must be evaluated relative to the stated 
33.26 	goals and standards in the restoration plan, 
33.27 	current science, and, when applicable, the 
33.28 	Board of Water and Soil Resources' native 
33.29 	vegetation establishment and enhancement 
33.30 	guidelines. The evaluation must determine 
33.31 	whether the restorations are meeting planned 
33.32 	goals, identify any problems with the 
33.33 	implementation of the restorations, and, 
33.34 	if necessary, give recommendations on 
33.35 	improving restorations. The evaluation must 
33.36 	be focused on improving future restorations.
34.1 	(e) All restoration and enhancement projects 
34.2 	funded with money appropriated in this 
34.3 	section must be on land permanently 
34.4 	protected by a conservation easement or 
34.5 	public ownership.
34.6 	(f) A recipient of money from an 
34.7 	appropriation under this section must 
34.8 	give consideration to contracting with 
34.9 	Conservation Corps Minnesota for contract 
34.10 	restoration and enhancement services.
34.11 	(g) All conservation easements acquired with 
34.12 	money appropriated under this section must:
34.13 	(1) be permanent;
34.14 	(2) specify the parties to an easement in the 
34.15 	easement;
34.16 	(3) specify all of the provisions of an 
34.17 	agreement that are permanent;
34.18 	(4) be sent to the Legislative-Citizen 
34.19 	Commission on Minnesota Resources in an 
34.20 	electronic format at least ten business days 
34.21 	prior to closing;
34.22 	(5) include a long-term monitoring and 
34.23 	enforcement plan and funding for monitoring 
34.24 	and enforcing the easement agreement; and
34.25 	(6) include requirements in the easement 
34.26 	document to address specific groundwater 
34.27 	and surface water quality protection activities 
34.28 	such as keeping water on the landscape, 
34.29 	reducing nutrient and contaminant loading, 
34.30 	protecting groundwater, and not permitting 
34.31 	artificial hydrological modifications.
34.32 	(h) For any acquisition of lands or interest 
34.33 	in lands, a recipient of money appropriated 
34.34 	under this section shall not agree to pay 
35.1 	more than 100 percent of the appraised value 
35.2 	for a parcel of land using this money to 
35.3 	complete the purchase, in part or in whole, 
35.4 	except that up to ten percent above the 
35.5 	appraised value may be allowed to complete 
35.6 	the purchase, in part or in whole, using this 
35.7 	money if permission is received in advance 
35.8 	of the purchase from the Legislative-Citizen 
35.9 	Commission on Minnesota Resources.
35.10 	(i) For any acquisition of land or interest in 
35.11 	land, a recipient of money appropriated under 
35.12 	this section must give priority to high-quality 
35.13 	natural resources or conservation lands that 
35.14 	provide natural buffers to water resources.
35.15 	(j) For new lands acquired with money 
35.16 	appropriated under this section, a recipient 
35.17 	must prepare an ecological restoration 
35.18 	and management plan in compliance with 
35.19 	paragraph (c), including sufficient funding 
35.20 	for implementation unless the work plan 
35.21 	addresses why a portion of the money is 
35.22 	not necessary to achieve a high-quality 
35.23 	restoration.
35.24 	(k) To ensure public accountability for 
35.25 	the use of public funds, within 60 days 
35.26 	of the transaction, a recipient of money 
35.27 	appropriated under this section must provide 
35.28 	to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
35.29 	Minnesota Resources documentation of the 
35.30 	selection process used to identify parcels 
35.31 	acquired and provide documentation of all 
35.32 	related transaction costs, including but not 
35.33 	limited to appraisals, legal fees, recording 
35.34 	fees, commissions, other similar costs, 
35.35 	and donations. This information must be 
36.1 	provided for all parties involved in the 
36.2 	transaction. The recipient must also report 
36.3 	to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
36.4 	Minnesota Resources any difference between 
36.5 	the acquisition amount paid to the seller and 
36.6 	the state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal, 
36.7 	if a state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal 
36.8 	was conducted.
36.9 	(l) A recipient of an appropriation from 
36.10 	the trust fund under this section must 
36.11 	acknowledge financial support from 
36.12 	the Minnesota environment and natural 
36.13 	resources trust fund in project publications, 
36.14 	signage, and other public communications 
36.15 	and outreach related to work completed 
36.16 	using the appropriation. Acknowledgement 
36.17 	may occur, as appropriate, through use of 
36.18 	the trust fund logo or inclusion of language 
36.19 	attributing support from the trust fund. Each 
36.20 	direct recipient of money appropriated in 
36.21 	this section, as well as each recipient of a 
36.22 	grant awarded pursuant to this section, must 
36.23 	satisfy all reporting and other requirements 
36.24 	incumbent upon constitutionally dedicated 
36.25 	funding recipients as provided in Minnesota 
36.26 	Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10, and 
36.27 	chapter 116P.

36.28
36.29	Subd. 14.Payment Conditions and Capital 
Equipment Expenditures
 					
36.30 	(a) All agreements, grants, or contracts 
36.31 	referred to in this section must be 
36.32 	administered on a reimbursement basis 
36.33 	unless otherwise provided in this section. 
36.34 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
36.35 	16A.41, expenditures made on or after 
36.36 	July 1, 2015, or the date the work plan is 
37.1 	approved, whichever is later, are eligible for 
37.2 	reimbursement unless otherwise provided 
37.3 	in this section. Periodic payment must be 
37.4 	made upon receiving documentation that 
37.5 	the deliverable items articulated in the 
37.6 	approved work plan have been achieved, 
37.7 	including partial achievements as evidenced 
37.8 	by approved progress reports. Reasonable 
37.9 	amounts may be advanced to projects to 
37.10 	accommodate cash flow needs or match 
37.11 	federal money. The advances must be 
37.12 	approved as part of the work plan. No 
37.13 	expenditures for capital equipment are 
37.14 	allowed unless expressly authorized in the 
37.15 	project work plan.
37.16 	(b) Single source contracts as specified in the 
37.17 	approved work plan are allowed.

37.18
37.19	Subd. 15.Purchase of Recycled and Recyclable 
Materials
 					
37.20 	A political subdivision, public or private 
37.21 	corporation, or other entity that receives an 
37.22 	appropriation under this section must use the 
37.23 	appropriation in compliance with Minnesota 
37.24 	Statutes, section 16C.0725, regarding 
37.25 	purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable 
37.26 	materials; and Minnesota Statutes, section 
37.27 	16C.073, regarding purchase and use of 
37.28 	paper stock and printing.

37.29
37.30	Subd. 16.Energy Conservation and 
Sustainable Building Guidelines
 					
37.31 	A recipient to whom an appropriation is made 
37.32 	under this section for a capital improvement 
37.33 	project must ensure that the project complies 
37.34 	with the applicable energy conservation and 
37.35 	sustainable building guidelines and standards 
37.36 	contained in law, including Minnesota 
38.1 	Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and 
38.2 	216C.20, and rules adopted under those 
38.3 	sections. The recipient may use the energy 
38.4 	planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office 
38.5 	units of the Department of Commerce to 
38.6 	obtain information and technical assistance 
38.7 	on energy conservation and alternative 
38.8 	energy development relating to the planning 
38.9 	and construction of the capital improvement 
38.10 	project.

38.11	Subd. 17.Accessibility
 					
38.12 	Structural and nonstructural facilities must 
38.13 	meet the design standards in the Americans 
38.14 	with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility 
38.15 	guidelines.

38.16	Subd. 18.Carryforward
 					
38.17 	(a) The availability of the appropriations for 
38.18 	the following projects are extended to June 
38.19 	30, 2016:
38.20 	(1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2, 
38.21 	subdivision 4, paragraph (l), Restorations 
38.22 	Evaluations;
38.23 	(2) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2, 
38.24 	subdivision 6, paragraph (b), Detecting and 
38.25 	Monitoring Certain Carp Populations; and
38.26 	(3) Laws 2011, First Special Session 
38.27 	chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision 
38.28 	4, paragraph (g), Minnesota River Valley 
38.29 	Green Corridor Scientific and Natural Area 
38.30 	Acquisition.
38.31 	(b) The availability of the appropriations for 
38.32 	the following projects are extended to June 
38.33 	30, 2017:
39.1 	(1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2, 
39.2 	subdivision 5, paragraph (e), Measuring 
39.3 	Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge 
39.4 	Habitat Restoration; and
39.5 	(2) Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 2, 
39.6 	subdivision 3, paragraph (m), Measuring 
39.7 	Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge 
39.8 	Habitat Restoration.
39.9 	(c) The availability of the appropriation for 
39.10 	the following project is extended to June 
39.11 	30, 2019: Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 
39.12 	2, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), Enhancing 
39.13 	Pollinator Landscapes.
39.14 	(d) The following project may be extended 
39.15 	statewide: Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 
39.16 	2, subdivision 9, paragraph (c), Urban 
39.17 	Environmental Education Engaging Students 
39.18 	in Local Resources.

39.19	Subd. 19.Pollinator and Butterfly Habitat
 					
39.20 	When feasible, a recipient of money 
39.21 	appropriated in this section is encouraged 
39.22 	to use conservation practices that promote 
39.23 	butterfly and other pollinator habitat on land 
39.24 	acquired in fee with money appropriated 
39.25 	in this section, including planting and 
39.26 	maintaining vegetation beneficial to 
39.27 	butterflies and other pollinators and 
39.28 	minimizing the use of pesticides.

39.29 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
39.30 		Subd. 2.Duties. (a) The commission shall recommend an annual or biennial 
39.31 	legislative bill for appropriations from the environment and natural resources trust fund and 
39.32 	shall adopt a strategic plan as provided in section 116P.08. Approval of the recommended 
39.33 	legislative bill requires an affirmative vote of at least 12 members of the commission.
40.1 	(b) It is a condition of acceptance of the appropriations made from the Minnesota 
40.2 	environment and natural resources trust fund, and oil overcharge money under section 
40.3 	4.071, subdivision 2, that the agency or entity receiving the appropriation must 
40.4 	submit a work plan and semiannual progress reports in the form determined by the 
40.5 	Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and comply with applicable 
40.6 	reporting requirements under section 116P.16. None of the money provided may be 
40.7 	spent unless the commission has approved the pertinent work plan. Modifications to 
40.8 	the approved work plan and budget expenditures shall be made through the amendment 
40.9 	process established by the commission. The commission shall ensure that the expenditures 
40.10 	and outcomes described in the work plan for appropriations funded by the environment 
40.11 	and natural resources trust fund are met.
40.12 	(c) The peer review panel procedures created under section 116P.08 must also be 
40.13 	used to review, comment, and report to the commission on research proposals applying for 
40.14 	an appropriation from the oil overcharge money under section 4.071, subdivision 2.
40.15 	(d) The commission may adopt operating procedures to fulfill its duties under this 
40.16 	chapter.
40.17 	(e) As part of the operating procedures, the commission shall:
40.18 	(1) ensure that members' expectations are to participate in all meetings related to 
40.19 	funding decision recommendations;
40.20 	(2) recommend adequate funding for increased citizen outreach and communications 
40.21 	for trust fund expenditure planning;
40.22 	(3) allow administrative expenses as part of individual project expenditures based 
40.23 	on need;
40.24 	(4) provide for project outcome evaluation;
40.25 	(5) keep the grant application, administration, and review process as simple as 
40.26 	possible; and
40.27 	(6) define and emphasize the leveraging of additional sources of money that project 
40.28 	proposers should consider when making trust fund proposals.

40.29 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
40.30 		Subd. 5.Public meetings.  (a) Meetings of the commission, committees or 
40.31 	subcommittees of the commission, technical advisory committees, and peer review panels 
40.32 	reviewers must be open to the public. The commission shall attempt to meet throughout 
40.33 	various regions of the state during each biennium. For purposes of this subdivision, a 
40.34 	meeting occurs when a quorum is present and action is taken regarding a matter within 
41.1 	the jurisdiction of the commission, a committee or subcommittee of the commission, a 
41.2 	technical advisory committee, or a peer review panel reviewers.
41.3 	(b) For legislative members of the commission, enforcement of this subdivision is 
41.4 	governed by section 3.055, subdivision 2. For nonlegislative members of the commission, 
41.5 	enforcement of this subdivision is governed by section 13D.06, subdivisions 1 and 2.

41.6 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
41.7 		Subd. 6.Peer review. (a) Research proposals must include a stated purpose directly 
41.8 	connected to the trust fund's constitutional mandate, this chapter, and the adopted strategic 
41.9 	plan under subdivision 3, a timeline, potential outcomes, and an explanation of the need 
41.10 	for the research. All research proposals must be peer reviewed by a peer review panel 
41.11 	before receiving an appropriation.
41.12 	(b) In conducting research proposal reviews, the peer review panel reviewers shall:
41.13 	(1) comment on the methodology proposed and whether it can be expected to yield 
41.14 	appropriate and useful information and data; and
41.15 	(2) comment on the need for the research and about similar existing information 
41.16 	available, if any; and.
41.17 	(3) report to the commission on clauses (1) and (2) (c) Peer reviewers' comments 
41.18 	under paragraph (b) must be reported to the commission.
41.19 	(c) (d) The peer review panel also must reviewers may review completed research 
41.20 	proposals that have received an appropriation and comment and report upon whether the 
41.21 	project reached the intended goals.

41.22 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
41.23 		Subd. 7.Peer review panel membership reviewers. (a) The peer review panel 
41.24 	reviewers must consist of at least five members who are be knowledgeable in general 
41.25 	research methods in the areas of environment and natural resources. Not more than two 
41.26 	members of the panel may be employees of state agencies in Minnesota.
41.27 	(b) The commission shall select a chair every two years who shall be responsible for 
41.28 	convening meetings of the panel as often as is necessary to fulfill its duties as prescribed 
41.29 	in this section. Compensation of panel members peer reviewers is governed by section 
41.30 	15.059, subdivision 3.

41.31 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
41.32 		Subdivision 1.Administrative authority. The commission Legislative Coordinating 
41.33 	Commission may appoint legal and other personnel and contract with consultants 
42.1 	necessary to carry outsupport the functions and duties of the commission. Permanent 
42.2 	Employees shall be in the unclassified service. In addition, the commission may request 
42.3 	staff assistance and data from any other agency of state government as needed for the 
42.4 	execution of the responsibilities of the commission and an agency must promptly furnish it.

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

42.6 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
42.7 		Subd. 6.Conflict of interest. A commission member, a technical advisory 
42.8 	committee member, a peer review panelist reviewer, or an employee of the commission 
42.9 	may not participate in or vote on a decision of the commission, advisory committee, or 
42.10 	peer review panel relating to an organization in which the member, panelist peer reviewer, 
42.11 	or employee has either a direct or indirect personal financial interest. While serving on the 
42.12 	commission, technical advisory committee, or as a peer review panel reviewer, or being 
42.13 	an employee of the commission, a person shall avoid any potential conflict of interest.

42.14 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
42.15 		Subd. 8.Technical advisory committees. The commission shall make use of 
42.16 	available public and private expertise on environment and natural resource issues by 
42.17 	appointing and may appoint necessary technical advisory committees to review funding 
42.18 	proposals and evaluate project outcomes. Compensation for technical advisory committee 
42.19 	members is governed by section 15.059, subdivision 6.