1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; modifying powers and duties of the Board of Water 
1.3 	and Soil Resources;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.101, 
1.4 	subdivision 9.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.101, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 9.Powers and duties. (a) In addition to the powers and duties prescribed 
1.8 	elsewhere, the board shall:
1.9 	(1) coordinate the water and soil resources planning and implementation activities of 
1.10 	counties, soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, watershed management 
1.11 	organizations, and any other local units of government through its various authorities for 
1.12 	approval of local plans, administration of state grants, contracts and easements, and by other 
1.13 	means as may be appropriate;
1.14 	(2) facilitate communication and coordination among state agencies in cooperation with 
1.15 	the Environmental Quality Board, and between state and local units of government, in order 
1.16 	to make the expertise and resources of state agencies involved in water and soil resources 
1.17 	management available to the local units of government to the greatest extent possible;
1.18 	(3) coordinate state and local interests with respect to the study in southwestern Minnesota 
1.19 	under United States Code, title 16, section 1009;
1.20 	(4) develop information and education programs designed to increase awareness of local 
1.21 	water and soil resources problems and awareness of opportunities for local government 
1.22 	involvement in preventing or solving them;
2.1 	(5) provide a forum for the discussion of local issues and opportunities relating to water 
2.2 	and soil resources management;
2.3 	(6) adopt an annual budget and work program that integrate the various functions and 
2.4 	responsibilities assigned to it by law; and
2.5 	(7) report to the governor and the legislature by October 15 of each even-numbered year 
2.6 	with an assessment of board programs and recommendations for any program changes and 
2.7 	board membership changes necessary to improve state and local efforts in water and soil 
2.8 	resources management.
2.9 	(b) The board may accept grants, gifts, donations, or contributions in money, services, 
2.10 	materials, or otherwise from the United States, a state agency, or other source to achieve 
2.11 	an authorized or delegated purpose. The board may enter into a contract or agreement 
2.12 	necessary or appropriate to accomplish the transfer. The board may conduct or participate 
2.13 	in local, state, or federal programs or projects that have as one purpose or effect the 
2.14 	preservation or enhancement of water and soil resources and may enter into and administer 
2.15 	agreements with local governments or landowners or their designated agents as part of those 
2.16 	programs or projects. The board may receive and expend money to acquire conservation 
2.17 	easements, as defined in chapter 84C, on behalf of the state and federal government consistent 
2.18 	with the Camp Ripley's Army Compatible Use Buffer Project, Sentinel Landscape program, 
2.19 	or related conservation programs.
2.20 	(c) Any money received is hereby deposited in an account in a fund other than the general 
2.21 	fund and appropriated and dedicated for the purpose for which it is granted.