SF 4304

1st Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/24/2026 10:16 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money from outdoor heritage fund;
extending and modifying prior appropriations; amending Laws 2024, chapter 106,
article 1, section 2, subdivision 5.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies
and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the outdoor heritage
fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2026" and "2027" used in
this act mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The
second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The
appropriations in this act are onetime appropriations.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2026 new text end		new text begin 2027 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 187,528,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is from the outdoor heritage
fund. The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Prairies new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 36,387,000 new text end

new text begin (a) RIM Grasslands Reserve, Phase 7
new text end

new text begin $2,334,000 the second year is to acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat. Of this
amount, $191,000 is to the commissioner of
natural resources for an agreement with Ducks
Unlimited and $2,143,000 is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources. Of the amount to
the Board of Water and Soil Resources, up to
$50,000 is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of permanent conservation easements must
be provided as part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area
Program, Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $4,521,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
in fee and to restore and enhance lands for
wildlife management area purposes under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquiring lands that are
eligible for the native prairie bank under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands
adjacent to protected native prairie.
new text end

new text begin (c) DNR Wildlife Management Area and
Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition,
Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $3,502,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
in fee and to restore and enhance lands for
wildlife management purposes under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for
scientific and natural area purposes under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquiring lands that are
eligible for the native prairie bank under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands
adjacent to protected native prairie.
new text end

new text begin (d) Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition,
Phase 10
new text end

new text begin $3,017,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and to
restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland,
wetland, and other wildlife habitat in Martin
and Watonwan Counties for wildlife
management area purposes under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, as
follows: $2,363,000 to Fox Lake Conservation
League, Inc.; $583,000 to Ducks Unlimited;
and $71,000 to the Conservation Fund.
new text end

new text begin (e) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National
Wildlife Refuge, Phase 16
new text end

new text begin $3,087,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in
cooperation with the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee or
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance lands in the Northern
Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in
western Minnesota to add to the Northern
Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.
Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota
Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given
to acquiring lands that are eligible for the
native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes,
section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected
native prairie.
new text end

new text begin (f) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Program,
Phase 15
new text end

new text begin $3,492,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy to
acquire land in fee and to restore and enhance
native prairie, grasslands, wetlands, and
savanna. Subject to evaluation criteria in
Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquiring lands that are
eligible for the native prairie bank under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands
adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual
income statements and balance sheets for
income and expenses from land acquired and
held by The Nature Conservancy with this
appropriation must be submitted to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no
later than 180 days after the The Nature
Conservancy's fiscal year closes.
new text end

new text begin (g) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of
Southern Red River Valley, Phase 12
new text end

new text begin $3,094,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever, in
cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie
Chicken Society, to acquire land in fee and to
restore and enhance lands in the southern Red
River Valley for wildlife management
purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and
managed as waterfowl production areas in
Minnesota, in cooperation with the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to
evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part
6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring
lands that are eligible for the native prairie
bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96,
or lands adjacent to protected native prairie.
new text end

new text begin (h) RIM Buffers for Wildlife and Water,
Phase 12
new text end

new text begin $3,744,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and restore
habitat under Minnesota Statutes, section
103F.515, to protect, restore, and enhance
habitat by expanding the riparian buffer
program under the clean water fund for
additional wildlife benefits from buffers on
private land. Of this amount, up to $60,000 is
to establish a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan
and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8,
paragraph (b), does not apply to this project.
A list of permanent conservation easements
must be provided as part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (i) Accelerating USFWS Habitat
Conservation Easement Program, Phase 6
new text end

new text begin $4,509,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to restore and enhance wetland
and prairie habitat on habitat easements of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service as
follows: $3,019,000 to Ducks Unlimited and
$1,490,000 to Pheasants Forever.
new text end

new text begin (j) DNR Grassland Enhancement, Phase 17
new text end

new text begin $2,139,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
accelerate restoration and enhancement of
prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife
management areas; in scientific and natural
areas; in aquatic management areas; on lands
in the native prairie bank; in bluff prairies on
state forest land in southeastern Minnesota;
and in waterfowl production areas and refuge
lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service.
new text end

new text begin (k) Enhanced Public Land - Grasslands,
Phase 9
new text end

new text begin $2,948,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance
and restore grassland and wetland habitat on
public lands in the forest prairie transition,
metro urban, and prairie ecoregions of
Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Forests new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 36,939,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Northern Forests Legacy Project
new text end

new text begin $25,090,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
priority forest lands in fee in St. Louis County
as wildlife management areas, scientific and
natural areas, state forests, and county forests.
Of this amount, $12,866,000 is for an
agreement with St. Louis County.
new text end

new text begin (b) Sand Lake and Seven Beavers
Acquisition and Enhancement
new text end

new text begin $7,347,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy to
acquire priority forest habitat lands in fee as
The Nature Conservancy lands, Rajala Woods
Foundation lands, state forests, and county
forests. For lands held in perpetuity by The
Nature Conservancy and Rajala Woods
Foundation, annual income statements and
balance sheets for income and expenses from
land acquired with this appropriation must be
submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council no later than 180 days after
each organization's respective fiscal year
closes.
new text end

new text begin (c) Hardwood Hills Habitat Conservation
Program, Phase 3
new text end

new text begin $2,558,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire permanent conservation
easements and to restore and enhance forest
habitats in the hardwood hills ecological
section of west-central Minnesota as follows:
$90,000 to St. John's University, $354,000 to
Stearns Conservation District, and $2,114,000
to Minnesota Land Trust. Of the amount to
Minnesota Land Trust, $252,000 is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement fund as
approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (d) DNR Forest Habitat Enhancement,
Phase 6
new text end

new text begin $1,944,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance forest wildlife habitats on public
lands throughout Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Wetlands new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 29,635,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Accelerating Waterfowl Production
Area Acquisition Program, Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $5,431,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever, in
cooperation with the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee and to
restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands
to be designated and managed as waterfowl
production areas in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) RIM Wetlands - Restoring Most
Productive Habitat in Minnesota, Phase 15
new text end

new text begin $3,502,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore wetlands and native grassland habitat
under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515.
Of this amount, up to $60,000 is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement fund as
approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8,
paragraph (b), does not apply to this project.
A list of permanent conservation easements
must be provided as part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (c) Shallow Lake and Wetland Protection
and Restoration Program, Phase 15
new text end

new text begin $6,087,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire
land in fee for wildlife management purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8, or to be designated and
managed as waterfowl production areas or
national wildlife refuges in Minnesota, in
cooperation with the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, and to restore and enhance
prairie lands, wetlands, and land-buffering
shallow lakes.
new text end

new text begin (d) Wetland Habitat Protection and
Restoration Program, Phase 11
new text end

new text begin $3,210,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements
and to restore and enhance prairie, wetland,
and other habitat on permanently protected
conservation easements in high-priority
wetland habitat complexes in the prairie,
forest/prairie transition, and forest ecoregions.
Of this amount, up to $140,000 is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement fund as
approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (e) Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands
Enhancement and Restoration Initiative,
Phase 12
new text end

new text begin $6,661,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore
and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on
public lands and wetlands under permanent
conservation easement for wildlife
management.
new text end

new text begin (f) Talcot Lake
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for the
survey, design, engineering, and permitting
of the Talcot Lake restoration and
enhancement project in Cottonwood County.
new text end

new text begin (g) Shallow Lakes and Wetlands
Enhancement, Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $3,744,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to enhance
and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat
statewide.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Habitats new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 82,408,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Riparian Habitat Protection in Kettle
and Snake River Watersheds, Phase 3
new text end

new text begin $1,137,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with
the Pine County Soil and Water Conservation
District, to acquire permanent conservation
easements and restore high-quality forests,
wetlands, and shoreline in the Kettle and
Snake River watersheds. Of this amount, up
to $70,000 is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.
Subdivision 8, paragraph (b), does not apply
to this project. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (b) Cannon River Watershed Habitat
Restoration and Protection Program, Phase
15
new text end

new text begin $2,886,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire lands in fee and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the
Cannon River Watershed as follows: $92,000
to Clean River Partners and $2,794,000 to
Trust for Public Land.
new text end

new text begin (c) DNR Aquatic Management Area
Acquisition and Trout Stream Easement
Acquisition
new text end

new text begin $2,182,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
land in fee as aquatic management areas and
to acquire permanent conservation easements
to protect trout-stream aquatic habitat. Of this
amount, up to $88,000 is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (d) Washington County Habitat Protection
and Enhancement Partnership, Phase 2
new text end

new text begin $2,812,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire permanent conservation
easements and to restore and enhance wildlife
habitats in Washington County as follows:
$760,000 to Washington County and
$2,052,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Of the
amount to Minnesota Land Trust, $196,000 is
to establish a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan
and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (e) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic
North Central Minnesota Lakes, Phase 12
new text end

new text begin $2,317,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Northern Waters Land Trust
to acquire land in fee and to restore and
enhance wildlife habitat to sustain healthy fish
habitat on coldwater lakes in Aitkin, Cass,
Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties.
new text end

new text begin (f) Greenbelt, Phase 1
new text end

new text begin $1,467,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Comfort Lake-Forest Lake
Watershed District to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat within the
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District
boundary.
new text end

new text begin (g) Integrating Habitat and Clean Water,
Phase 4
new text end

new text begin $1,827,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat identified
under the One Watershed, One Plan program
for stacked benefit to wildlife and clean water.
Of this amount, up to $40,000 is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement fund as
approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (h) Metro Big Rivers, Phase 16
new text end

new text begin $6,776,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and to
restore and enhance natural habitat systems
associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries in
the metropolitan area as follows: $1,491,000
to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Trust, Inc.; $892,000 to Friends of the
Mississippi River; $1,055,000 to Great River
Greening; and $3,338,000 to Trust for Public
Land.
new text end

new text begin (i) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat
Corridor Project, Phase 10
new text end

new text begin $2,770,000 the second year is to acquire lands
in fee and permanent conservation easements
and to restore wildlife habitat in the
Mississippi headwaters. Of this amount, (1)
$1,387,000 is to the commissioner of natural
resources for agreements as follows: $60,000
to the Mississippi Headwaters Board and
$1,327,000 to Trust for Public Land; and (2)
$1,383,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources, of which up to $70,000 is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund
as approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (j) Protecting Coldwater Fisheries on
Minnesota's North Shore, Phase 4
new text end

new text begin $1,695,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements
and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in
priority coldwater tributaries to Lake Superior.
Of this amount, up to $196,000 is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement fund as
approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (k) Protecting Minnesota's Lakes of
Outstanding Biological Significance, Phase
5
new text end

new text begin $2,983,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance lakes of outstanding
biological significance in northeast and
north-central Minnesota. Of this amount,
$1,612,000 is to the Northern Waters Land
Trust and $1,371,000 is to Minnesota Land
Trust. Of the amount to Minnesota Land Trust,
up to $140,000 is to establish a monitoring
and enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (l) Red River Basin Riparian Habitat
Program, Phase 2
new text end

new text begin $3,920,000 the second year is to acquire
permanent conservation easements to protect,
restore, and enhance stream and riparian
habitat throughout the Red River watershed.
Of this amount, $116,000 is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements with the Red River Watershed
Management Board and $3,804,000 is to the
Board of Water and Soil Resources. Of the
amount to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources, up to $250,000 is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (m) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat
Restoration Program, Phase 15
new text end

new text begin $2,066,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Shell Rock River
Watershed District to acquire land in fee and
to restore and enhance habitat in the Shell
Rock River watershed.
new text end

new text begin (n) Southeast Minnesota Protection and
Restoration, Phase 14
new text end

new text begin $7,956,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat in
southeast Minnesota. Of this amount,
$1,035,000 is to The Nature Conservancy,
$5,825,000 is to Trust for Public Land, and
$1,096,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Of the
amount to Minnesota Land Trust, up to
$140,000 is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (o) St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection
and Restoration, Phase 7
new text end

new text begin $3,859,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance natural habitat systems in
the St. Croix River watershed as follows:
$2,157,000 to Trust for Public Land, $130,000
to Wild Rivers Conservancy, and $1,572,000
to Minnesota Land Trust. Of the amount to
Minnesota Land Trust, up to $140,000 is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund
as approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (p) Upper Mississippi Flyway Habitat
Conservation Program
new text end

new text begin $2,156,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements
and to restore and enhance wetlands, stream
corridors, and associated uplands in central
Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $196,000 is
to establish a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan
and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17.
new text end

new text begin (q) A River of Birds in the Sky: Conserving
Minnesota's Flyway
new text end

new text begin $1,227,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with National Audubon Society to
restore and enhance priority wildlife habitat
along the St. Croix, Minnesota, and
Mississippi river valleys.
new text end

new text begin (r) Bone Lake South, Phase 2
new text end

new text begin $1,432,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Comfort Lake-Forest Lake
Watershed District to restore and enhance
wildlife habitat in the Bone Lake south habitat
complex in Washington County.
new text end

new text begin (s) DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and
Enhancement, Phase 9
new text end

new text begin $6,517,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded
streams and aquatic management areas and to
facilitate fish passage throughout Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (t) Little Cannon River Stream Habitat
Restoration
new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements for survey, design, engineering,
and permitting of the Little Cannon River
restoration and enhancement project in
Goodhue County as follows: $40,000 to Clean
Rivers Partners, $10,000 to Great River
Greening, and $450,000 to Trout Unlimited.
new text end

new text begin (u) Mission Creek Watershed Connectivity
new text end

new text begin $1,296,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance coldwater stream habitat in the
Mission Creek watershed in St. Louis County.
new text end

new text begin (v) Mud River Enhancement Project
new text end

new text begin $2,957,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Red Lake Watershed District
to restore and enhance the Mud River habitat
complex in Marshall County.
new text end

new text begin (w) Oak Savanna Restoration for Living
Landscapes
new text end

new text begin $1,702,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources, in partnership with
the Xerces Society, to restore and enhance oak
savanna and associated ecosystems on local
public and Tribal lands.
new text end

new text begin (x) Swift Coulee Channel Restoration and
Enhancement, Phase 2
new text end

new text begin $2,671,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Middle-Snake-Tamarac
Rivers Watershed District to restore and
enhance priority habitat associated with the
Swift Coulee channel restoration in Marshall
County.
new text end

new text begin (y) Woods Creek Restoration
new text end

new text begin $750,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Cook County to restore and
enhance coldwater stream habitat in Woods
Creek in Cook County.
new text end

new text begin (z) Minnesota Statewide Trout Habitat
Enhancement and Protection
new text end

new text begin $750,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Trout Unlimited for survey,
design, engineering, and permitting of trout
stream restoration and enhancement projects
throughout Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (aa) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant
Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat,
Phase 18
new text end

new text begin $13,797,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a
program to provide competitive matching
grants of up to $500,000 to local, regional,
state, and national organizations for enhancing,
restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands,
prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife
in Minnesota. Unless there are not enough
eligible grant applications received, of this
amount, at least $3,500,000 is for grants in the
seven-county metropolitan area and cities with
a population of 50,000 or more and at least
$3,000,000 is for grants to applicants that have
not previously applied for money from the
outdoor heritage fund. Grants must not be
made for activities required to fulfill the duties
of owners of lands subject to conservation
easements. Grants must not be made from the
appropriation in this paragraph for projects
that have a total project cost exceeding
$1,000,000. Of the total appropriation,
$600,000 may be spent for personnel costs,
outreach, and support to first-time applicants
and other direct and necessary administrative
costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests
in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants
may not be used to establish easement
stewardship accounts. The program must
require a match of at least ten percent from
nonstate sources for all grants. The match may
be cash or in-kind. For grant applications of
$25,000 or less, the commissioner must
provide a separate, simplified application
process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the
commissioner of natural resources must, when
evaluating projects of equal value, give
priority to organizations that have a history of
receiving, or a charter to receive, private
contributions for local conservation or habitat
projects. All restoration or enhancement
projects must be on land permanently
protected by a permanent covenant ensuring
perpetual maintenance and protection of
restored and enhanced habitat, by a
conservation easement, or by public ownership
or in public waters as defined in Minnesota
Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15.
Priority must be given to restoration and
enhancement projects on public lands.
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded
under this paragraph. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2029. No less than five
percent of the amount of each grant must be
held back from reimbursement until the grant
recipient completes a grant accomplishment
report by the deadline and in the form
prescribed by and satisfactory to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The
commissioner must provide notice of the grant
program in the summary of game and fish law
prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.051, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Administration new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 2,159,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Contract Management
new text end

new text begin $450,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for contract
management duties assigned in this section.
The commissioner must provide an
accomplishment plan in the form specified by
the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
on expending this appropriation. The
accomplishment plan must include a copy of
the grant contract template and reimbursement
manual. No money may be expended before
the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
approves the accomplishment plan. Money
appropriated in this paragraph is available until
June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin (b) Core Functions in Partner-led OHF
Land Acquisitions
new text end

new text begin $1,377,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
administer the initial development, restoration,
and enhancement of land acquired in fee with
money appropriated from the outdoor heritage
fund. This appropriation may be used for land
acquisition costs incurred by the Department
of Natural Resources as part of conveyance
of parcels to the department and initial
development activities on fee title acquisitions.
Money appropriated in this paragraph is
available until June 30, 2034.
new text end

new text begin (c) Technical Evaluation Panel
new text end

new text begin $192,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a
technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 20
restoration and enhancement evaluations under
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 10. Money appropriated in this
paragraph is available until June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin (d) Legislative Coordinating Commission
new text end

new text begin $140,000 the second year is to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for administrative
expenses of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council and for compensating and
reimbursing expenses of council members.
This appropriation is in addition to the fiscal
year 2027 appropriation in Laws 2025, chapter
36, article 1, section 2, subdivision 6,
paragraph (b), and is available until June 30,
2027. Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281,
applies to this appropriation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end new text begin Availability of Appropriation new text end

new text begin (a) Money appropriated in this section may
not be spent on activities unless they are
directly related to and necessary for a specific
appropriation and are specified in the
accomplishment plan approved by the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
Money appropriated in this section must not
be spent on indirect costs or other institutional
overhead charges that are not directly related
to and necessary for a specific appropriation.
Money appropriated for fee title acquisition
of land may be used to restore, enhance, and
provide for public use of the land acquired
with the appropriation. Public-use facilities
must have a minimal impact on habitat in
acquired lands.
new text end

new text begin (b) Money appropriated in this section is
available as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) money appropriated to acquire real
property is available until June 30, 2030;
new text end

new text begin (2) money appropriated to restore and enhance
land acquired with an appropriation in this act
is available for four years after the acquisition
date with a maximum end date of June 30,
2034;
new text end

new text begin (3) money appropriated to restore and enhance
other land is available until June 30, 2031;
new text end

new text begin (4) notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), money
appropriated for a project that receives at least
15 percent of its funding from federal funds
is available until a date sufficient to match the
availability of federal funding to a maximum
of six years if the federal funding was
confirmed and included in the original
approved draft accomplishment plan; and
new text end

new text begin (5) money appropriated for other projects is
available until the end of the fiscal year in
which it is appropriated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures new text end

new text begin (a) All agreements referred to in this section
must be administered on a reimbursement
basis unless otherwise provided in this section.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.41, expenditures directly related to each
appropriation's purpose made on or after July
1, 2026, or the date of accomplishment plan
approval, whichever is later, are eligible for
reimbursement unless otherwise provided in
this section. For the purposes of administering
appropriations and legislatively authorized
agreements paid out of the outdoor heritage
fund, an expense must be considered
reimbursable by the administering agency
when the recipient presents the agency with
an invoice or a binding agreement with the
landowner and the recipient attests that the
goods have been received or the landowner
agreement is binding. Periodic reimbursement
must be made upon receiving documentation
that the items articulated in the
accomplishment plan approved by the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council have
been achieved, including partial achievements
as evidenced by progress reports approved by
the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
Reasonable amounts may be advanced to
projects to accommodate cash flow needs,
support future management of acquired lands,
or match a federal share. The advances must
be approved as part of the accomplishment
plan. Capital equipment expenditures for
specific items in excess of $10,000 must be
itemized in and approved as part of the
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Unless otherwise provided, no money
appropriated from the outdoor heritage fund
in this act may be used to acquire, restore, or
enhance any real property unless the specific
acquisition, restoration, or enhancement is
approved as part of the accomplishment plan
on the parcel list.
new text end

new text begin (c) Reimbursement of eligible expenses must
be submitted no later than 12 months after the
approval of the final report.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Mapping new text end

new text begin Each direct recipient of money appropriated
in this section, as well as each recipient of a
grant awarded according to this section, must
provide geographic information to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for
mapping any lands acquired in fee with funds
appropriated in this section and open to public
taking of fish and game. The commissioner
of natural resources must include the lands
acquired in fee with money appropriated in
this section on maps showing public recreation
opportunities. Maps must include information
on and acknowledgment of the outdoor
heritage fund, including a notation of any
restrictions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Carryforward new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the appropriation for
Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 1,
article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph
(l), St. Louis River Restoration Initiative,
Phase VIII, is extended to June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the appropriation for
Laws 2022, chapter 77, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 5, paragraph (u), Daylighting
Phalen Creek, is extended to June 30, 2028.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 10 is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Laws 2024, chapter 106, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Habitats

-0-

101,294,000

(a) St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase 5

$4,711,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance natural habitat systems in
the St. Croix River watershed as follows:
$1,905,000 to Trust for Public Land; $110,000
to Wild Rivers Conservancy; and $2,696,000
to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $224,000 to
Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17.

(b) Pine and Leech Watershed Targeted RIM Easement Permanent Land Protection, Phase 3

$2,242,000 the second year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with
the Crow Wing County Soil and Water
Conservation District, to acquire permanent
conservation easements of high-quality forest,
wetland, and shoreline habitat. Up to $120,000
of the total amount is for establishing a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. Subdivision 8, paragraph (b),
does not apply to this project. A list of
permanent conservation easements must be
provided as part of the final report.

(c) Protecting Minnesota's Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance, Phase 3

$3,321,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance lakes of outstanding
biological significance in northeast and
north-central Minnesota. Of this amount,
$1,083,000 is to the Northern Waters Land
Trust and $2,238,000 is to Minnesota Land
Trust. Up to $224,000 to Minnesota Land
Trust is for establishing a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.

(d) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program, Phase 13

$2,060,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Shell Rock River
Watershed District to acquire land in fee and
restore and enhance habitat in the Shell Rock
River watershed.

(e) Cannon River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Protection Program, Phase 13

$2,555,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire lands in fee and restore
and enhance wildlife habitat in the Cannon
River watershed as follows: $54,000 to Clean
River Partners; $888,000 to Great River
Greening; and $1,613,000 to Trust for Public
Land.

(f) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project, Phase 8

$2,706,000 the second year is to acquire lands
in fee and permanent conservation easements
and to restore wildlife habitat in the
Mississippi headwaters. Of this amount:

(1) $1,706,000 is to the commissioner of
natural resources for agreements as follows:
$57,000 to the Mississippi Headwaters Board
and $1,649,000 to Trust for Public Land; and

(2) $1,000,000 is to the Board of Water and
Soil Resources, of which up to $100,000 is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund
as approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17.

(g) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes, Phase 10

$2,687,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and in
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat to sustain
healthy fish habitat on coldwater lakes in
Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard
Counties as follows: $2,252,000 to Northern
Waters Land Trust and $435,000 to Minnesota
Land Trust. Up to $56,000 to Minnesota Land
Trust is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.

(h) Red River Basin Riparian Habitat Program

$5,119,000 the second year is to acquire
permanent conservation easements to protect,
restore, and enhance stream and riparian
habitat throughout the Red River watershed.
Of this amount, $169,000 is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Red River Watershed
Management Board and $4,950,000 is to the
Board of Water and Soil Resources. Up to
$380,000 of the total amount is for
establishing a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan
and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8,
paragraph (b), does not apply to this project.
A list of permanent conservation easements
must be provided as part of the final report.

(i) Resilient Habitat for Heritage Brook Trout, Phase 2

$2,486,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire permanent conservation
easements and to restore and enhance habitat
in targeted watersheds of southeast Minnesota
to improve heritage brook trout and coldwater
aquatic communities. Of this amount,
$400,000 is to The Nature Conservancy,
$612,000 is to Trout Unlimited, and
$1,474,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to
$168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund
as approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17.

(j) Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration, Phase 12

$3,052,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire lands in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public
lands and permanent conservation easements
in southeast Minnesota as follows: $970,000
to The Nature Conservancy, $964,000 to Trust
for Public Land, and $1,118,000 to Minnesota
Land Trust. Up to $112,000 to Minnesota
Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.

(k) Lower Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat Restoration, Phase 4

$2,345,000 the second year is to acquire land
in permanent conservation easement and to
restore river and related habitat in the Wild
Rice River corridor. Of this amount, $30,000
is to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Wild Rice Watershed
District and $2,315,000 is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources. The Board of Water
and Soil Resources may use up to $60,000 for
establishing a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan
and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. Subdivision 8,
paragraph (b), does not apply to this project.
A list of permanent conservation easements
must be provided as part of the final report.

(l) DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition, Phase 16

$1,359,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
in fee and restore and enhance lands for
wildlife management purposes under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for
scientific and natural area purposes under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquiring lands that are
eligible for the native prairie bank under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands
adjacent to protected native prairie.

(m) Accelerating Habitat Conservation in Southwest Minnesota, Phase 3

$2,872,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements
and to restore and enhance high-quality
wildlife habitat in southwest Minnesota. Of
this amount, up to $168,000 is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17.

(n) Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase 5

$3,965,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire lands in fee and
permanent conservation easements and restore
and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River
watershed as follows: $375,000 to Great River
Greening; $1,199,000 to Sauk River
Watershed District; $1,192,000 to Pheasants
Forever; and $1,199,000 to Minnesota Land
Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land
Trust is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.

(o) Metro Big Rivers, Phase 14

$8,123,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance natural habitat systems
associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries
within the metropolitan area as follows:
$1,250,000 to Minnesota Valley National
Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $420,000 to
Friends of the Mississippi River; $803,000 to
Great River Greening; $2,750,000 to Trust for
Public Land; and $2,900,000 to Minnesota
Land Trust. Up to $224,000 to Minnesota
Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.

(p) Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation, Phase 9

$1,802,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to restore and enhance wildlife
habitat on public lands and easements in the
Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting
minor watersheds as follows: $1,508,000 to
Great River Greening and $294,000 to
Sherburne County.

(q) DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase 7

$4,206,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded
streams and aquatic management areas and to
facilitate fish passage.

(r) Minnesota Statewide Trout Habitat Enhancement

$2,308,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore and
enhance habitat for trout and other species in
and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams
throughout Minnesota.

(s) Knife River Habitat Rehabilitation, Phase 7

$1,572,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Arrowhead Regional
Development Commission, in cooperation
with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association,
to restore and enhance trout habitat in the
Knife River watershed. If the Arrowhead
Regional Development Commission declines
to serve as the fiscal agent for the project, an
alternative fiscal agent must be identified in
the accomplishment plan for the project.

(t) DNR St. Louis River Restoration Initiative, Phase 11

$2,163,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance priority aquatic, riparian, and
forest habitats in the St. Louis River estuary.
Of this amount, $716,000 is for an agreement
with Minnesota Land Trust.

(u) Roseau Lake Rehabilitation, Phase 2

$3,054,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Roseau River Watershed
District to restore and enhance the Roseau
Lake and Roseau River habitat complex in
Roseau County, Minnesota.

(v) Highbanks Ravine Bat Hibernaculum

$2,300,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the city of St. Cloud to
enhance the Highbanks Ravine Bat
Hibernaculum in St. Cloud.

(w) Owámniyomni Native Landscape and River Restoration, St. Anthony Falls

$1,918,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Friends of the Falls to restore
and enhance wildlife habitat at Upper St.
Anthony Falls. This appropriation may only
be spent for site grading, oak savanna, and
aquatic habitat portions of the project.

(x) Silver Lake Dam Fish Passage Modification

$2,368,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the city of Rochester to restore
and enhance aquatic habitat in Silver Lake and
the south fork of the Zumbro River by
modifying the existing low-head dam in
Rochester.

(y) Little Devil Track River Restoration

$3,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Cook County to restore and
enhance stream habitat in the Little Devil
Track River.

(z) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat, Phase 16

$15,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a
program to provide competitive matching
grants of up to $500,000 to local, regional,
state, and national organizations for enhancing,
restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands,
prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife
in Minnesota. Unless there are not enough
eligible grant applications received, of this
amount, at least $4,000,000 is for grants in the
seven-county metropolitan area and cities with
a population of 50,000 or more and at least
$4,000,000 is for grants to applicants that have
not previously applied for money from the
outdoor heritage fund. Grants must not be
made for activities required to fulfill the duties
of owners of lands subject to conservation
easements. Grants must not be made from the
appropriation in this paragraph for projects
that have a total project cost exceeding
$1,000,000. Of the total appropriation,
$600,000 may be spent for personnel costs,
outreach, and support to first-time applicants
and other direct and necessary administrative
costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests
in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants
may not be used to establish easement
stewardship accounts. The program must
require a match of at least ten percent from
nonstate sources for all grants. The match may
be cash or in-kind. For grant applications of
$25,000 or less, the commissioner must
provide a separate, simplified application
process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the
commissioner of natural resources must, when
evaluating projects of equal value, give
priority to organizations that have a history of
receiving, or a charter to receive, private
contributions for local conservation or habitat
projects. All restoration or enhancement
projects must be on land permanently
protected by a permanent covenant ensuring
perpetual maintenance and protection of
restored and enhanced habitat, by a
conservation easement, or by public ownership
or in public waters as defined in Minnesota
Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15.
Priority must be given to restoration and
enhancement projects on public lands.
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded
under this paragraph. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2027. No less than five
percent of the amount of each grant must be
held back from reimbursement until the grant
recipient completes a grant accomplishment
report by the deadline and in the form
prescribed by and satisfactory to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The
commissioner must provide notice of the grant
program in the summary of game and fish law
prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.051, subdivision 2.

(aa) Protecting Upper Mississippi River from Invasive Carp

$12,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to fund
activities to protect the upper Mississippi
River from invasive carp. Activities within
this appropriation include agreements with
federal partners, such as the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, to design, construct, and
begin operating and maintaining a structural
deterrent for invasive carp at Lock and Dam
No. 5 on the Mississippi River to protect
Minnesota's aquatic habitat through an
adaptive management approach. Deterrent
design must be fully completed deleted text begin within two
years of the date of this appropriation deleted text end new text begin by June
30, 2027 new text end . Deterrent installation must be
completed by June 30, 2029. Money not spent
or obligated for design installation and
operation of the deterrent may be used for
testing technologies to support the future
effectiveness of the deterrent. A detailed
accomplishment plan must be submitted to
and approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council before money is released.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2029.