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 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 	$2,450,000 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 	Expenses are limited to those specified in 
3.32 	the required work plan and approved by 
3.33 	the Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
3.34 	Minnesota Resources.
4.1 	(d) Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas for 
4.2 	Enhanced Natural Resource Management
4.3 	$340,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
4.4 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
4.5 	Minnesota for the Bell Museum of Natural 
4.6 	History to create a publicly accessible, online 
4.7 	tool and repository that will electronically 
4.8 	integrate over 600,000 existing biodiversity 
4.9 	records, 300,000 existing images, and future 
4.10 	data and associated imagery pertaining to 
4.11 	Minnesota wildlife, plant, and fungi species 
4.12 	in order to enhance research, guide field 
4.13 	surveys, and inform conservation planning. 
4.14 	This appropriation is available until June 
4.15 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
4.16 	completed and final products delivered.
4.17 	(e) Updating the National Wetland 
4.18 	Inventory for Minnesota - Phase V
4.19 	$1,500,000 the first year is from the 
4.20 	trust fund to the commissioner of natural 
4.21 	resources to continue to update and enhance 
4.22 	wetland inventory maps for Minnesota. This 
4.23 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
4.24 	2018, by which time the project must be 
4.25 	completed and final products delivered.
4.26 	(f) Creating a Statewide Wetland Bird 
4.27 	Monitoring Program
4.28 	$146,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
4.29 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
4.30 	an agreement with Audubon Minnesota to 
4.31 	develop a statewide wetland bird monitoring 
4.32 	program to enable long-term monitoring of 
4.33 	the status of wetland birds and the health of 
4.34 	their wetland habitats. This appropriation 
4.35 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
5.1 	time the project must be completed and final 
5.2 	products delivered.
5.3 	(g) Minnesota Native Bee Atlas
5.4 	$790,000 the first year is from the trust 
5.5 	fund to the Board of Regents of the 
5.6 	University of Minnesota to supplement 
5.7 	and enhance existing bee survey efforts by 
5.8 	engaging citizens in helping to document the 
5.9 	distribution and phenology of wild Minnesota 
5.10 	bees and integrating data from all related 
5.11 	bee survey efforts into a single publicly 
5.12 	accessible, online tool and repository. This 
5.13 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
5.14 	2019, by which time the project must be 
5.15 	completed and final products delivered.
5.16 	(h) Reintroduction and Interpretation of 
5.17 	Bison in Minnesota State Parks
5.18 	$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
5.19 	to the commissioner of natural resources to 
5.20 	preserve American bison by reintroducing 
5.21 	bison to Minneopa State Park and provide 
5.22 	interpretive learning opportunities at Blue 
5.23 	Mounds and Minneopa State Parks. This 
5.24 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
5.25 	2018, by which time the project must be 
5.26 	completed and final products delivered.
5.27 	(i) Endangered Bats, White-Nose 
5.28 	Syndrome, and Forest Habitat
5.29 	$1,250,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
5.30 	to the commissioner of natural resources in 
5.31 	cooperation with the University of Minnesota 
5.32 	and the United States Forest Service to 
5.33 	survey and radio-track endangered bats to 
5.34 	define and understand summer forest habitat 
5.35 	use in order to minimize forestry impacts 
6.1 	and mitigate white-nose syndrome disease 
6.2 	impacts. This appropriation is available until 
6.3 	June 30, 2018, by which time the project must 
6.4 	be completed and final products delivered.
6.5 	(j) Assessing Contaminants in Minnesota 
6.6 	Loons and Pelicans - Phase III
6.7 	$141,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
6.8 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
6.9 	to continue to assess the potential impact 
6.10 	of petroleum, dispersants, and heavy metal 
6.11 	contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon oil 
6.12 	spill in the Gulf of Mexico on the wintering 
6.13 	habitat of Minnesota's common loons 
6.14 	and white pelicans using radiotelemetry, 
6.15 	geolocators, and contaminant analysis.
6.16 	(k) Movement and Seasonal Habitat Use 
6.17 	of Minnesota Elk
6.18 	$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
6.19 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
6.20 	to collect biological information about 
6.21 	Minnesota elk, including movements and 
6.22 	habitat use to enable long-term, sustainable 
6.23 	management. This appropriation is 
6.24 	contingent on a $50,000 match from state 
6.25 	or nonstate sources. This appropriation is 
6.26 	available until June 30, 2018, by which time 
6.27 	the project must be completed and final 
6.28 	products delivered.
6.29 	(l) Genetic and Camera Techniques to 
6.30 	Estimate Carnivore Populations
6.31 	$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
6.32 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
6.33 	of Minnesota – Duluth for the Natural 
6.34 	Resources Research Institute to use genetic 
6.35 	sampling and remote cameras to improve 
7.1 	monitoring of distributions and estimate 
7.2 	population sizes of carnivore species.
7.3 	(m) Turtle Population Dynamics in Urban 
7.4 	Lakes
7.5 	$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund to 
7.6 	the commissioner of natural resources for an 
7.7 	agreement with the University of St. Thomas 
7.8 	in cooperation with the Three Rivers Park 
7.9 	District to analyze the aquatic and terrestrial 
7.10 	habitat parameters that affect the use of urban 
7.11 	lakes by a three-species turtle community 
7.12 	and to make specific recommendations to 
7.13 	protect and enhance turtle populations. This 
7.14 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
7.15 	2019, by which time the project must be 
7.16 	completed and final products delivered.
7.17 	(n) Digitization of Historic Gullion Ruffed 
7.18 	Grouse Research
7.19 	$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
7.20 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
7.21 	an agreement with Central Lakes College 
7.22 	to preserve the Gordon Gullion ruffed 
7.23 	grouse data sets as permanent digital data 
7.24 	files in order to improve accessibility to 
7.25 	the information and inform forest wildlife 
7.26 	conservation policies and practices.
7.27 	(o) Effects of Grazing Versus Fire for 
7.28 	Prairie Management
7.29 	$414,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
7.30 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
7.31 	of Minnesota to compare the effects of 
7.32 	conservation grazing and prescribed fire 
7.33 	on tallgrass prairie plants and pollinators 
7.34 	in Minnesota in order to inform and 
7.35 	improve land management practices. This 
8.1 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
8.2 	2018, by which time the project must be 
8.3 	completed and final products delivered.
8.4 	(p) Assessing Ecological Impact of St. 
8.5 	Anthony Falls Lock Closure
8.6 	$125,000 the first year is from the trust fund to 
8.7 	the commissioner of natural resources for an 
8.8 	agreement with the Minneapolis Riverfront 
8.9 	Partnership to study the impact of altered 
8.10 	river flow due to closure of the Upper Lock 
8.11 	on the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls 
8.12 	on the physical and biological characteristics 
8.13 	of the river between the Coon Rapids Dam 
8.14 	and Lock and Dam No. 1 in order to inform 
8.15 	future river restoration efforts.
8.16 	(q) Foundational Dataset Characterizing 
8.17 	Historic Forest Disturbance Impacts
8.18 	$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
8.19 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
8.20 	of Minnesota to quantify forest disturbance 
8.21 	impacts over the past forty years on water 
8.22 	quality, wildlife demographics, and wood 
8.23 	fiber supply in order to identify management 
8.24 	strategies that better respond to disturbance 
8.25 	impacts and improve and sustain forest 
8.26 	resources. This appropriation is available 
8.27 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
8.28 	project must be completed and final products 
8.29 	delivered. 
8.30 	(r) Hydrologic Effects of Contemporary 
8.31 	Forest Practices in Minnesota
8.32 	$150,000 the first year is from the trust 
8.33 	fund to the Board of Regents of the 
8.34 	University of Minnesota to install hydrologic 
8.35 	monitoring stations to collect water quantity 
9.1 	and quality data from lands managed for 
9.2 	timber production to better understand the 
9.3 	relationship between harvest practices and 
9.4 	water resources and related responses to 
9.5 	changing climate and other disturbance 
9.6 	factors in order to inform forest management 
9.7 	practices. This appropriation is available 
9.8 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
9.9 	project must be completed and final products 
9.10 	delivered.
9.11 	(s) Habitat Mitigation for Goblin Fern 
9.12 	Conservation
9.13 	$61,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
9.14 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
9.15 	an agreement with the Leech Lake Band of 
9.16 	Ojibwe to examine goblin fern populations, a 
9.17 	threatened species in Minnesota, in relation 
9.18 	to habitat degradation and to develop 
9.19 	long-term habitat mitigation and species 
9.20 	conservation strategies. This appropriation 
9.21 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
9.22 	time the project must be completed and final 
9.23 	products delivered.

9.24	Subd. 4.Water Resources
 		3,065,000
		-0-
	
9.25 	(a) Understanding Water Scarcity, 
9.26 	Threats, and Values to Improve 
9.27 	Management
9.28 	$234,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
9.29 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
9.30 	Minnesota to model and map statewide water 
9.31 	scarcity and abundance; assess water-related 
9.32 	risks to industry, municipalities, and 
9.33 	ecosystems; and quantify the economic 
9.34 	values of changes in water quality and 
9.35 	quantity in order to inform long-term water 
10.1 	sustainability strategies. This appropriation 
10.2 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
10.3 	time the project must be completed and final 
10.4 	products delivered.
10.5 	(b) Biofilm Technology for Water Nutrient 
10.6 	Removal
10.7 	$281,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
10.8 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
10.9 	of Minnesota to develop a simulated lichen 
10.10 	biofilm system that can be used to remove 
10.11 	pollutants and recycle nutrients from storm 
10.12 	water runoff and polluted lakes, ponds, and 
10.13 	lagoons. This appropriation is subject to 
10.14 	Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This 
10.15 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
10.16 	2018, by which time the project must be 
10.17 	completed and final products delivered.
10.18 	(c) Biological Consequences of Septic 
10.19 	Pollution in Minnesota Lakes
10.20 	$364,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
10.21 	to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota 
10.22 	State Colleges and Universities system for 
10.23 	St. Cloud State University to assess the 
10.24 	presence of possible sources of contaminants 
10.25 	of emerging concern in Minnesota lakes 
10.26 	in order to determine their effects on fish 
10.27 	health, understand the potential contribution 
10.28 	from septic systems, and inform options 
10.29 	for remediation and prevention to protect 
10.30 	Minnesota lakes from these contaminants in 
10.31 	the future. This appropriation is available 
10.32 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
10.33 	project must be completed and final products 
10.34 	delivered.
11.1 	(d) Preventing Phosphorous from Entering 
11.2 	Water Resources through Drain Tiles
11.3 	$505,000 the first year is from the trust 
11.4 	fund to the Board of Regents of the 
11.5 	University of Minnesota to develop a new 
11.6 	nanocomposite material made from biomass 
11.7 	that is designed to adsorb phosphorus, 
11.8 	nitrogen, and pesticides from storm water 
11.9 	and drain tile runoff discharge for recycling 
11.10 	back to agricultural lands. This appropriation 
11.11 	is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
11.12 	116P.10.
11.13 	(e) Southeast Minnesota Cover Crop and 
11.14 	Soil Health Initiatives
11.15 	$253,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
11.16 	to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to 
11.17 	promote cover crops as a means of protecting 
11.18 	soil and water quality in southeastern 
11.19 	Minnesota through training and education 
11.20 	for local practitioners, economic analysis of 
11.21 	implementation, and on-farm demonstration 
11.22 	sites. This effort must be coordinated with 
11.23 	the University of Minnesota Forever Green 
11.24 	Initiative. This appropriation is available 
11.25 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
11.26 	project must be completed and final products 
11.27 	delivered.
11.28 	(f) Southeast Minnesota Subsurface 
11.29 	Drainage Impacts on Groundwater 
11.30 	Recharge
11.31 	$488,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
11.32 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
11.33 	for an agreement with the United States 
11.34 	Geological Survey to assess the relationship 
11.35 	between agricultural drainage and water 
12.1 	flow within the unique karst geology of 
12.2 	southeast Minnesota to characterize the 
12.3 	potential impacts of drainage on groundwater 
12.4 	recharge and groundwater sustainability in 
12.5 	the region. This appropriation is not subject 
12.6 	to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This 
12.7 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
12.8 	2019, by which time the project must be 
12.9 	completed and final products delivered. 
12.10 	(g) Using Hydroacoustics to Monitor 
12.11 	Sediment in Minnesota Rivers
12.12 	$455,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
12.13 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
12.14 	for an agreement with the United States 
12.15 	Geological Survey to install hydroacoustic 
12.16 	equipment on the lower Minnesota and 
12.17 	Mississippi Rivers to improve measurement 
12.18 	and monitoring accuracy for suspended 
12.19 	sediment and enhance ongoing sediment 
12.20 	reduction efforts by state, federal, and local 
12.21 	agencies. This appropriation is not subject 
12.22 	to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This 
12.23 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
12.24 	2019, by which time the project must be 
12.25 	completed and final products delivered.
12.26 	(h) Assessment of Irrigation Efficiencies in 
12.27 	Benton County
12.28 	$431,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
12.29 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
12.30 	for an agreement with Benton Soil and 
12.31 	Water Conservation District to develop and 
12.32 	implement a decision support system to 
12.33 	increase irrigation efficiencies and provide 
12.34 	outreach on irrigation best management 
12.35 	practices. Software developed with this 
13.1 	appropriation must be available in the public 
13.2 	domain. Project efforts should be coordinated 
13.3 	with the Department of Natural Resources. 
13.4 	This appropriation is available until June 
13.5 	30, 2019, by which time the project must be 
13.6 	completed and final products delivered.
13.7 	(i) Shoreview Water Consumption and 
13.8 	Groundwater Awareness Project
13.9 	$54,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
13.10 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
13.11 	an agreement with the city of Shoreview 
13.12 	to provide biweekly water consumption 
13.13 	data to at least 400 residential households 
13.14 	for a two-year period to determine whether 
13.15 	additional groundwater can be conserved 
13.16 	with greater awareness of consumption data. 
13.17 	This appropriation is available until June 
13.18 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
13.19 	completed and final products delivered.

13.20	Subd. 5.Environmental Education
 		1,004,000
		-0-
	
13.21 	(a) Promotion of Alternative Ammunition 
13.22 	to Protect Wildlife from Lead Poisoning
13.23 	$132,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
13.24 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
13.25 	Minnesota for the Raptor Center to provide 
13.26 	hunters with outreach and workshops on 
13.27 	alternatives to lead hunting ammunition, 
13.28 	including copper, and promote voluntary 
13.29 	selection of nontoxic ammunition to protect 
13.30 	eagles and other wildlife in Minnesota from 
13.31 	accidental lead poisoning caused by ingestion 
13.32 	of ammunition fragments left in the field.
13.33 	(b) Connecting Students with Watersheds 
13.34 	through Hands-On Learning
14.1 	$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to 
14.2 	the commissioner of natural resources for an 
14.3 	agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited 
14.4 	to provide hands-on learning focused on 
14.5 	water quality, groundwater, aquatic life, 
14.6 	and watershed health stewardship. This 
14.7 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
14.8 	2018, by which time the project must be 
14.9 	completed and final products delivered.
14.10 	(c) Zumbro River Watershed Recreational 
14.11 	Learning Stewardship Sites
14.12 	$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
14.13 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
14.14 	an agreement with the Zumbro Watershed 
14.15 	Partnership to develop at least six recreational 
14.16 	and educational sites on the Zumbro River 
14.17 	with water quality demonstration elements 
14.18 	and interpretative signage designed to 
14.19 	encourage adoption of water protection 
14.20 	practices. No more than 15 percent of this 
14.21 	appropriation may be spent on site and 
14.22 	construction consultation, planning, and 
14.23 	design. Any plantings or restoration activities 
14.24 	conducted with this appropriation must use 
14.25 	native plant species according to the Board of 
14.26 	Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation 
14.27 	establishment and enhancement guidelines. 
14.28 	This appropriation is available until June 
14.29 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
14.30 	completed and final products delivered.
14.31 	(d) Students Engaging Local Watersheds 
14.32 	Using Mobile Technologies
14.33 	$147,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
14.34 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
14.35 	for an agreement with Twin Cities Public 
15.1 	Television to deliver an experiential, 
15.2 	project-based educational program using 
15.3 	mobile technologies to empower at least 200 
15.4 	middle school students in 4-H programs to 
15.5 	engage in understanding and protecting local 
15.6 	water resources.
15.7 	(e) Mississippi River Water Journey 
15.8 	Camps
15.9 	$25,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
15.10 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
15.11 	Minnesota to design and pilot two week-long 
15.12 	summer camps for youth ages 6 to 11 focused 
15.13 	around clean water and the Mississippi 
15.14 	River and designed to get children outdoors 
15.15 	exploring and engaged with the natural 
15.16 	environment and creating educational 
15.17 	materials to help their communities protect 
15.18 	water quality.

15.19
15.20	Subd. 6.Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive 
Species
 		6,071,000
		-0-
	
15.21 	(a) Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants 
15.22 	and Pests Center
15.23 	$5,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
15.24 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
15.25 	of Minnesota for the Invasive Terrestrial 
15.26 	Plants and Pests Center established in Laws 
15.27 	2014, chapter 312, article 13, section 44, 
15.28 	to conduct research to prevent, minimize, 
15.29 	and mitigate the threats and impacts posed 
15.30 	by invasive plants, pathogens, and pests to 
15.31 	the state's prairies, forests, wetlands, and 
15.32 	agricultural resources. This appropriation 
15.33 	is available until June 30, 2023, by which 
15.34 	time the project must be completed and final 
15.35 	products delivered.
16.1 	(b) Emerald Ash Borer Ecological and 
16.2 	Hydrological Impacts - Phase II
16.3 	$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
16.4 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
16.5 	of Minnesota to assess the potential impacts 
16.6 	of emerald ash borer on Minnesota black 
16.7 	ash forests and quantify potential impacts 
16.8 	on native forest vegetation, invasive species 
16.9 	spread, and hydrology. This appropriation 
16.10 	is available until June 30, 2020, by which 
16.11 	time the project must be completed and final 
16.12 	products delivered.
16.13 	(c) Biological Control of Canada Thistle
16.14 	$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
16.15 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
16.16 	Minnesota to develop a biological control for 
16.17 	Canada thistle, an invasive plant species in 
16.18 	Minnesota. This appropriation is available 
16.19 	until June 30, 2018, by which time the 
16.20 	project must be completed and final products 
16.21 	delivered.
16.22 	(d) Preventing New Disease of Pines in 
16.23 	Minnesota
16.24 	$371,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
16.25 	to the Board of Regents of the University of 
16.26 	Minnesota to establish early detection for 
16.27 	heterobasidion, an invasive root rot fungus, 
16.28 	and develop efforts to prevent its spread 
16.29 	and reduce its impact. This appropriation 
16.30 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
16.31 	time the project must be completed and final 
16.32 	products delivered.

16.33
16.34	Subd. 7.Air Quality, Climate Change, and 
Renewable Energy
 		3,268,000
		-0-
	
17.1 	(a) Analysis of Minnesota Energy Systems 
17.2 	to Develop Future Energy Strategies
17.3 	$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
17.4 	fund to the Legislative Energy Commission 
17.5 	to conduct comprehensive data collection 
17.6 	and analysis of energy systems in Minnesota 
17.7 	in order to develop short- and long-term 
17.8 	strategies to maximize energy efficiency 
17.9 	and the use of clean energy in the state. A 
17.10 	competitive request for proposal process 
17.11 	must be used for any contracts funded with 
17.12 	this appropriation.
17.13 	(b) Renewable and Sustainable Fertilizers 
17.14 	Produced Locally
17.15 	$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
17.16 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
17.17 	of Minnesota for the Morris West Central 
17.18 	Research and Outreach Center and Twin 
17.19 	Cities Campus to develop and demonstrate 
17.20 	new technologies aimed at enabling 
17.21 	renewable and sustainable production of 
17.22 	ammonia for fertilizer in a localized manner. 
17.23 	This appropriation is subject to Minnesota 
17.24 	Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation 
17.25 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
17.26 	time the project must be completed and final 
17.27 	products delivered.
17.28 	(c) Reducing Emissions from Open 
17.29 	Burning through Biomass Gasification
17.30 	$268,000 the first year is from the trust 
17.31 	fund to the Board of Regents of the 
17.32 	University of Minnesota in cooperation with 
17.33 	the Department of Natural Resources to 
17.34 	characterize and promote distributed biomass 
17.35 	gasification of wood waste as a means for 
18.1 	producing renewable and sustainable energy 
18.2 	in rural areas through a demonstration at the 
18.3 	Department of Natural Resources regional 
18.4 	office facility in New Ulm.
18.5 	(d) Building Deconstruction to Reduce 
18.6 	Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Solid 
18.7 	Waste
18.8 	$845,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
18.9 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
18.10 	an agreement with Better Futures Minnesota 
18.11 	in cooperation with the Northwest Indian 
18.12 	Opportunities Industrialization Center 
18.13 	and $155,000 the first year is from the 
18.14 	trust fund to the Board of Regents of the 
18.15 	University of Minnesota – Duluth for the 
18.16 	Natural Resources Research Institute to 
18.17 	develop and test a model for implementing 
18.18 	building deconstruction and material reuse 
18.19 	as a competitive alternative to demolition 
18.20 	for the purpose of reducing greenhouse 
18.21 	gas emissions, reducing landfill waste, and 
18.22 	providing job training.

18.23
18.24	Subd. 8.Methods to Protect, Restore, and 
Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat
 		4,646,000
		-0-

18.25	Appropriations by Fund
	
18.26
18.27
18.28	Environment and 
natural resources 
trust fund
	4,587,000
	-0-
	
18.29
18.30	Great Lakes 
protection account
	59,000
	-0-
	
18.31 	(a) Prioritizing Future Management of 
18.32 	North Shore Trout Streams 
18.33 	$357,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
18.34 	and $59,000 the first year is from the Great 
18.35 	Lakes protection account to the Board of 
18.36 	Regents of the University of Minnesota – 
19.1 	Duluth for the Natural Resources Research 
19.2 	Institute to identify key areas in North Shore 
19.3 	streams that supply the cold groundwater 
19.4 	essential to sustaining trout fisheries, in order 
19.5 	to focus habitat restoration, protection, and 
19.6 	management efforts on the areas that are 
19.7 	most essential for long-term stream health 
19.8 	and sustainability. This appropriation is 
19.9 	available until June 30, 2018, by which time 
19.10 	the project must be completed and final 
19.11 	products delivered. 
19.12 	(b) Propagating Native Plants and 
19.13 	Restoring Diverse Habitats
19.14 	$495,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
19.15 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
19.16 	for an agreement with the Martin County 
19.17 	Soil and Water Conservation District for a 
19.18 	cooperative 13-county effort by Blue Earth, 
19.19 	Brown, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Faribault, 
19.20 	Freeborn, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Martin, 
19.21 	Nicollet, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties to 
19.22 	protect and expand native forest and prairie 
19.23 	habitat for species in greatest conservation 
19.24 	need in four regions of the state through 
19.25 	collection and propagation of local ecotype 
19.26 	native plants, habitat restoration efforts, and 
19.27 	educational outreach. This appropriation 
19.28 	is available until June 30, 2020, by which 
19.29 	time the project must be completed and final 
19.30 	products delivered.
19.31 	(c) Preserving and Protecting Minnesota 
19.32 	Native Orchid Species
19.33 	$167,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
19.34 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
19.35 	of Minnesota for the Minnesota Landscape 
20.1 	Arboretum for propagation and cultivation 
20.2 	research to enable long-term conservation 
20.3 	of at least 15 selected species of the 48 
20.4 	native orchid species in Minnesota. This 
20.5 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
20.6 	2018, by which time the project must be 
20.7 	completed and final products delivered.
20.8 	(d) Acceleration of Minnesota 
20.9 	Conservation Assistance – Final Phase
20.10 	$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
20.11 	fund to the Board of Water and Soil 
20.12 	Resources for the final phase of a pilot 
20.13 	program to provide grants to soil and water 
20.14 	conservation districts and other units of local 
20.15 	and state government for employment of 
20.16 	staff to provide technical assistance to secure 
20.17 	enrollment and retention of private lands 
20.18 	in federal and state conservation programs. 
20.19 	This appropriation is available until June 
20.20 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
20.21 	completed and final products delivered.
20.22 	(e) Metro Conservation Corridors - 
20.23 	Phase VIII Prairie, Forest, and Savanna 
20.24 	Restoration
20.25 	$276,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
20.26 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
20.27 	for an agreement with the Friends of the 
20.28 	Mississippi River for Phase VIII of the 
20.29 	Metro Conservation Corridors partnership 
20.30 	to conduct restoration activities on at least 
20.31 	260 acres of forest and savanna and at least 
20.32 	160 acres of prairie to preserve and increase 
20.33 	wildlife habitat in the metropolitan area, as 
20.34 	defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 
20.35 	473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the 
21.1 	surrounding counties. Expenditures are 
21.2 	limited to the identified project corridor 
21.3 	areas as defined in the work plan. A list 
21.4 	of proposed restorations must be provided 
21.5 	as part of the required work plan. This 
21.6 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
21.7 	2018, by which time the project must be 
21.8 	completed and final products delivered.
21.9 	(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase 
21.10 	VIII Enhancing Restoration Techniques 
21.11 	for Improved Climate Resilience and 
21.12 	Pollinator Conservation
21.13 	$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
21.14 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
21.15 	an agreement with Great River Greening 
21.16 	for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation 
21.17 	Corridors partnership to pilot and evaluate 
21.18 	innovative restoration techniques aimed 
21.19 	at improving the resilience of bur oak 
21.20 	communities to changing climate conditions 
21.21 	and enhancing prairie management to benefit 
21.22 	pollinators with the help and engagement 
21.23 	of citizen volunteers. Expenditures on 
21.24 	restoration efforts are limited to the identified 
21.25 	project corridor areas as defined in the work 
21.26 	plan. A list of proposed restorations must be 
21.27 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
21.28 	This appropriation is available until June 30, 
21.29 	2018, by which point the project must be 
21.30 	completed and final products delivered.
21.31 	(g) Minnesota State University Moorhead 
21.32 	Prairie and Riparian Restoration and 
21.33 	Monitoring
21.34 	$527,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
21.35 	to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota 
22.1 	State Colleges and Universities system 
22.2 	for Minnesota State University Moorhead 
22.3 	in cooperation with the Department of 
22.4 	Natural Resources to restore and monitor 
22.5 	160 acres of prairie and riparian habitat 
22.6 	and develop and disseminate monitoring 
22.7 	protocols. This appropriation is contingent 
22.8 	upon the donation of a 60-acre parcel to 
22.9 	Minnesota State University Moorhead from 
22.10 	the Minnesota State University Moorhead 
22.11 	Alumni Foundation and is available until 
22.12 	June 30, 2020, by which time the project must 
22.13 	be completed and final products delivered.
22.14 	(h) Improving Community Forests 
22.15 	Through Citizen Engagement
22.16 	$800,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
22.17 	to the commissioner of the Pollution Control 
22.18 	Agency to design and pilot a program, 
22.19 	including grants to communities, to mobilize 
22.20 	citizen volunteers to protect, improve, 
22.21 	and maintain local forests in communities 
22.22 	around the state. Participation is open to any 
22.23 	municipality in the state and participating 
22.24 	municipalities will be selected through a 
22.25 	competitive proposal process that will include 
22.26 	representation from both metropolitan and 
22.27 	nonmetropolitan areas of the state. Trees 
22.28 	planted using this appropriation must be 
22.29 	species that are native to Minnesota. A 
22.30 	participating municipality must provide a 
22.31 	match of not less than 25 percent, up to half of 
22.32 	which may be in the form of in-kind support. 
22.33 	This appropriation is available until June 
22.34 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
22.35 	completed and final products delivered.
23.1 	(i) Flood Recovery on Sargent Creek in 
23.2 	Duluth
23.3 	$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
23.4 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
23.5 	for an agreement with the city of Duluth to 
23.6 	re-establish stable and natural streambanks 
23.7 	with riparian and aquatic habitat restoration 
23.8 	on at least 5,400 linear feet of Sargent Creek 
23.9 	in Duluth destroyed during the flood of 2012.
23.10 	(j) Shoreland Protection for Lower St. 
23.11 	Croix River
23.12 	$190,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
23.13 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
23.14 	for an agreement with the St. Croix River 
23.15 	Association to provide technical assistance 
23.16 	to landowners, local governments, realtors, 
23.17 	and developers on shoreland conservation 
23.18 	and protection of the lower St. Croix River. 
23.19 	This appropriation is available until June 
23.20 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
23.21 	completed and final products delivered. 
23.22 	(k) Redwood and Renville Counties 
23.23 	Outdoor Recreation and Conservation 
23.24 	Master Plan
23.25 	$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
23.26 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
23.27 	for an agreement with Renville County 
23.28 	in cooperation with Redwood County to 
23.29 	develop a joint outdoor recreation and 
23.30 	conservation master plan to guide future 
23.31 	development and protect cultural, historical, 
23.32 	and natural resources in the Minnesota River 
23.33 	Valley.

23.34
23.35	Subd. 9.Land Acquisition for Habitat and 
Recreation
 		14,190,000
		-0-
	
24.1 	(a) State Parks and Trails Land 
24.2 	Acquisitions
24.3 	$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust 
24.4 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
24.5 	to acquire at least 335 acres for authorized 
24.6 	state trails and critical parcels within the 
24.7 	statutory boundaries of state parks. State 
24.8 	park land acquired with this appropriation 
24.9 	must be sufficiently improved to meet at 
24.10 	least minimum management standards, as 
24.11 	determined by the commissioner of natural 
24.12 	resources. A list of proposed acquisitions 
24.13 	must be provided as part of the required work 
24.14 	plan. This appropriation is available until 
24.15 	June 30, 2018, by which time the project must 
24.16 	be completed and final products delivered.
24.17 	(b) Metropolitan Regional Park System 
24.18 	Land Acquisition – Phase IV
24.19 	$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
24.20 	fund to the Metropolitan Council for grants 
24.21 	to acquire at least 133 acres of lands within 
24.22 	the approved park unit boundaries of the 
24.23 	metropolitan regional park system. This 
24.24 	appropriation may not be used to purchase 
24.25 	habitable residential structures. A list of 
24.26 	proposed fee title and easement acquisitions 
24.27 	must be provided as part of the required work 
24.28 	plan. This appropriation must be matched 
24.29 	by at least 40 percent of nonstate money that 
24.30 	must be committed by December 31, 2015, or 
24.31 	the appropriation cancels. This appropriation 
24.32 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
24.33 	time the project must be completed and final 
24.34 	products delivered.
25.1 	(c) SNA Acquisition, Restoration, 
25.2 	Enhancement, and Public Engagement
25.3 	$4,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
25.4 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
25.5 	to acquire at least 350 acres of lands with 
25.6 	high-quality native plant communities and 
25.7 	rare features to be established as scientific 
25.8 	and natural areas as provided in Minnesota 
25.9 	Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5, 
25.10 	restore and improve at least 550 acres of 
25.11 	scientific and natural areas, and provide 
25.12 	technical assistance and outreach. A list of 
25.13 	proposed acquisitions must be provided as 
25.14 	part of the required work plan. Land acquired 
25.15 	with this appropriation must be sufficiently 
25.16 	improved to meet at least minimum 
25.17 	management standards, as determined by 
25.18 	the commissioner of natural resources. This 
25.19 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
25.20 	2018, by which time the project must be 
25.21 	completed and final products delivered.
25.22 	(d) Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie 
25.23 	Bank Easement Acquisition
25.24 	$3,325,000 the first year is from the trust 
25.25 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
25.26 	to acquire native prairie bank easements on 
25.27 	at least 675 acres, prepare baseline property 
25.28 	assessments, restore and enhance at least 
25.29 	1,000 acres of native prairie sites, and provide 
25.30 	technical assistance to landowners. A list 
25.31 	of proposed easement acquisitions must be 
25.32 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
25.33 	This appropriation is available until June 
25.34 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
25.35 	completed and final products delivered.
26.1 	(e) Metro Conservation Corridors - 
26.2 	Phase VIII Coordination, Mapping, and 
26.3 	Conservation Easements
26.4 	$515,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
26.5 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
26.6 	for an agreement with the Minnesota 
26.7 	Land Trust for Phase VIII of the Metro 
26.8 	Conservation Corridors partnership to 
26.9 	provide coordination and mapping for 
26.10 	the partnership and to acquire permanent 
26.11 	conservation easements on at least 120 acres 
26.12 	of strategic ecological landscapes to protect 
26.13 	priority natural areas in the metropolitan 
26.14 	area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, 
26.15 	section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions 
26.16 	of the surrounding counties. A list of 
26.17 	proposed easement acquisitions must be 
26.18 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
26.19 	Land acquired with this appropriation 
26.20 	must be sufficiently improved to meet at 
26.21 	least minimum management standards, as 
26.22 	determined by the commissioner of natural 
26.23 	resources. Expenditures are limited to the 
26.24 	identified project corridor areas as defined in 
26.25 	the work plan. Up to $40,000 may be used 
26.26 	for coordination and mapping for the Metro 
26.27 	Conservation Corridors. All conservation 
26.28 	easements must be perpetual and have a 
26.29 	natural resource management plan. A list 
26.30 	of proposed easement acquisitions must be 
26.31 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
26.32 	This appropriation is available June 30, 2018, 
26.33 	by which time the project must be completed 
26.34 	and final products delivered.
26.35 	(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase 
26.36 	VIII Strategic Lands Protection
27.1 	$750,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
27.2 	to the commissioner of natural resources for 
27.3 	an agreement with The Trust for Public Land 
27.4 	for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation 
27.5 	Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at 
27.6 	least 35 acres of high-quality priority state 
27.7 	and local natural areas in the metropolitan 
27.8 	area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, 
27.9 	section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions 
27.10 	of the surrounding counties. A list of 
27.11 	proposed acquisitions must be provided as 
27.12 	part of the required work plan. Land acquired 
27.13 	with this appropriation must be sufficiently 
27.14 	improved to meet at least minimum 
27.15 	management standards, as determined by 
27.16 	the commissioner of natural resources. 
27.17 	Expenditures are limited to the identified 
27.18 	project corridor areas as defined in the work 
27.19 	plan. This appropriation may not be used 
27.20 	to purchase habitable residential structures, 
27.21 	unless expressly approved in the work 
27.22 	plan. A list of fee title acquisitions must be 
27.23 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
27.24 	This appropriation is available until June 
27.25 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
27.26 	completed and final products delivered.
27.27 	(g) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase 
27.28 	VIII Priority Expansion of Minnesota 
27.29 	Valley National Wildlife Refuge
27.30 	$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
27.31 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
27.32 	for an agreement with the Minnesota Valley 
27.33 	National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. for 
27.34 	Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation 
27.35 	Corridors partnership to acquire in fee 
27.36 	at least 100 acres of priority habitat for 
28.1 	the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife 
28.2 	Refuge in the metropolitan area, as defined 
28.3 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, 
28.4 	subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding 
28.5 	counties. A list of proposed acquisitions 
28.6 	must be provided as part of the required work 
28.7 	plan. Land acquired with this appropriation 
28.8 	must be sufficiently improved to meet at 
28.9 	least minimum management standards. 
28.10 	Expenditures are limited to the identified 
28.11 	project corridor areas as defined in the work 
28.12 	plan. This appropriation may not be used 
28.13 	to purchase habitable residential structures, 
28.14 	unless expressly approved in the work plan. 
28.15 	This appropriation is available until June 
28.16 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
28.17 	completed and final products delivered.
28.18 	(h) Metro Conservation Corridors - 
28.19 	Phase VIII Wildlife Management Area 
28.20 	Acquisition
28.21 	$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
28.22 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
28.23 	for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation 
28.24 	Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at 
28.25 	least 82 acres along the lower reaches of the 
28.26 	Vermillion River in Dakota County within 
28.27 	the Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area. 
28.28 	Land acquired with this appropriation must 
28.29 	be sufficiently improved to meet at least 
28.30 	minimum management standards. This 
28.31 	appropriation may not be used to purchase 
28.32 	habitable residential structures, unless 
28.33 	expressly approved in the work plan. This 
28.34 	appropriation is available until June 30, 
28.35 	2018, by which time the project must be 
28.36 	completed and final products delivered.
29.1 	(i) Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to 
29.2 	Ely – Phase II
29.3 	$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust 
29.4 	fund to the commissioner of natural resources 
29.5 	for an agreement with the St. Louis and 
29.6 	Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority 
29.7 	for the right-of-way acquisition, design, 
29.8 	and construction of segments of the Mesabi 
29.9 	Trail, totaling approximately seven miles 
29.10 	between Soudan and Ely. This appropriation 
29.11 	is available until June 30, 2018, by which 
29.12 	time the project must be completed and final 
29.13 	products delivered.
29.14 	(j) Multi-benefit Watershed Scale 
29.15 	Conservation on North Central Lakes
29.16 	$896,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
29.17 	to the Board of Water and Soil Resources and 
29.18 	$54,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
29.19 	to the Board of Water and Soil Resources 
29.20 	for an agreement with the Leech Lake 
29.21 	Area Watershed Foundation in cooperation 
29.22 	with Crow Wing County Soil and Water 
29.23 	Conservation District and Cass County Soil 
29.24 	and Water Conservation District to secure 
29.25 	permanent conservation easements on at 
29.26 	least 480 acres of high-quality habitat in 
29.27 	Crow Wing and Cass Counties. A list of 
29.28 	proposed easement acquisitions must be 
29.29 	provided as part of the required work plan. 
29.30 	This appropriation is available until June 
29.31 	30, 2018, by which time the project must be 
29.32 	completed and final products delivered.
29.33 	(k) Conservation Easement Assessment 
29.34 	and Valuation System Development
30.1 	$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
30.2 	to the Board of Regents of the University 
30.3 	of Minnesota to assess the effectiveness of 
30.4 	existing conservation easements acquired 
30.5 	through state expenditures at achieving 
30.6 	their intended outcomes of public value 
30.7 	and ecological benefits and to develop 
30.8 	a standardized, objective conservation 
30.9 	easement valuation system for guiding future 
30.10 	state investments in conservation easements 
30.11 	to ensure the proposed environmental 
30.12 	benefits are being achieved in a cost-effective 
30.13 	manner. This appropriation is available until 
30.14 	June 30, 2018, by which time the project must 
30.15 	be completed and final products delivered.

30.16
30.17	Subd. 10.Administration and Contract 
Agreement Reimbursement
 		1,207,000
		-0-
	
30.18 	(a) Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
30.19 	Minnesota Resources
30.20 	$1,072,000 the first year is from the trust 
30.21 	fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission 
30.22 	on Minnesota Resources for administration 
30.23 	in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 as provided 
30.24 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09, 
30.25 	subdivision 5.
30.26 	(b) Contract Agreement Reimbursement
30.27 	$135,000 the first year is from the trust fund 
30.28 	to the commissioner of natural resources 
30.29 	at the direction of the Legislative-Citizen 
30.30 	Commission on Minnesota Resources for 
30.31 	expenses incurred for contract agreement 
30.32 	reimbursement for the agreements specified 
30.33 	in this section. The commissioner 
30.34 	shall provide documentation to the 
30.35 	Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
31.1 	Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of 
31.2 	these funds.

31.3	Subd. 11.Availability of Appropriations
 					
31.4 	Money appropriated in this section may 
31.5 	not be spent on activities unless they are 
31.6 	directly related to and necessary for a specific 
31.7 	appropriation and are specified in the work 
31.8 	plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen 
31.9 	Commission on Minnesota Resources. 
31.10 	Money appropriated in this section must 
31.11 	not be spent on indirect costs or other 
31.12 	institutional overhead charges that are 
31.13 	not directly related to and necessary for 
31.14 	a specific appropriation. Costs that are 
31.15 	directly related to and necessary for an 
31.16 	appropriation, including financial services, 
31.17 	human resources, information services, rent, 
31.18 	and utilities, are eligible only if the costs 
31.19 	can be clearly justified and individually 
31.20 	documented specific to the appropriation's 
31.21 	purpose and would not be generated by 
31.22 	the recipient but for the receipt of the 
31.23 	appropriation. No broad allocations for costs 
31.24 	in either dollars or percentages are allowed. 
31.25 	Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in 
31.26 	this section are available until June 30, 2017, 
31.27 	when projects must be completed and final 
31.28 	products delivered. For acquisition of real 
31.29 	property, the appropriations in this section 
31.30 	are available for an additional fiscal year if a 
31.31 	binding contract for acquisition of the real 
31.32 	property is entered into before the original 
31.33 	expiration date of the appropriation. If a 
31.34 	project receives a federal grant, the time 
31.35 	period of the appropriation is extended to 
31.36 	equal the federal grant period.

32.1	Subd. 12.Data Availability Requirements
 					
32.2 	Data collected by the projects funded under 
32.3 	this section must conform to guidelines 
32.4 	and standards adopted by MN.IT Services. 
32.5 	Spatial data also must conform to additional 
32.6 	guidelines and standards designed to support 
32.7 	data coordination and distribution that have 
32.8 	been published by the Minnesota Geospatial 
32.9 	Information Office. Descriptions of spatial 
32.10 	data must be prepared as specified in 
32.11 	the state's geographic metadata guideline 
32.12 	and must be submitted to the Minnesota 
32.13 	Geospatial Information Office. All data must 
32.14 	be accessible and free to the public unless 
32.15 	made private under the Data Practices Act, 
32.16 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. To the extent 
32.17 	practicable, summary data and results of 
32.18 	projects funded under this section should 
32.19 	be readily accessible on the Internet and 
32.20 	identified as having received funding from 
32.21 	the environment and natural resources trust 
32.22 	fund.

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

37.11
37.12	Subd. 14.Payment Conditions and Capital 
Equipment Expenditures
 					
37.13 	(a) All agreements, grants, or contracts 
37.14 	referred to in this section must be 
37.15 	administered on a reimbursement basis 
37.16 	unless otherwise provided in this section. 
37.17 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
37.18 	16A.41, expenditures made on or after 
37.19 	July 1, 2015, or the date the work plan is 
37.20 	approved, whichever is later, are eligible for 
37.21 	reimbursement unless otherwise provided 
37.22 	in this section. Periodic payment must be 
37.23 	made upon receiving documentation that 
37.24 	the deliverable items articulated in the 
37.25 	approved work plan have been achieved, 
37.26 	including partial achievements as evidenced 
37.27 	by approved progress reports. Reasonable 
37.28 	amounts may be advanced to projects to 
37.29 	accommodate cash flow needs or match 
37.30 	federal money. The advances must be 
37.31 	approved as part of the work plan. No 
37.32 	expenditures for capital equipment are 
37.33 	allowed unless expressly authorized in the 
37.34 	project work plan.
37.35 	(b) Single source contracts as specified in the 
37.36 	approved work plan are allowed.

38.1
38.2	Subd. 15.Purchase of Recycled and Recyclable 
Materials
 					
38.3 	A political subdivision, public or private 
38.4 	corporation, or other entity that receives an 
38.5 	appropriation under this section must use the 
38.6 	appropriation in compliance with Minnesota 
38.7 	Statutes, section 16C.0725, regarding 
38.8 	purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable 
38.9 	materials; and Minnesota Statutes, section 
38.10 	16C.073, regarding purchase and use of 
38.11 	paper stock and printing.

38.12
38.13	Subd. 16.Energy Conservation and 
Sustainable Building Guidelines
 					
38.14 	A recipient to whom an appropriation is made 
38.15 	under this section for a capital improvement 
38.16 	project must ensure that the project complies 
38.17 	with the applicable energy conservation and 
38.18 	sustainable building guidelines and standards 
38.19 	contained in law, including Minnesota 
38.20 	Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and 
38.21 	216C.20, and rules adopted under those 
38.22 	sections. The recipient may use the energy 
38.23 	planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office 
38.24 	units of the Department of Commerce to 
38.25 	obtain information and technical assistance 
38.26 	on energy conservation and alternative 
38.27 	energy development relating to the planning 
38.28 	and construction of the capital improvement 
38.29 	project.

38.30	Subd. 17.Accessibility
 					
38.31 	Structural and nonstructural facilities must 
38.32 	meet the design standards in the Americans 
38.33 	with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility 
38.34 	guidelines.

38.35	Subd. 18.Carryforward; Extension
 					
39.1 	(a) The availability of the appropriations for 
39.2 	the following projects are extended to June 
39.3 	30, 2016:
39.4 	(1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2, 
39.5 	subdivision 4, paragraph (l), Restorations 
39.6 	Evaluations;
39.7 	(2) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2, 
39.8 	subdivision 6, paragraph (b), detecting and 
39.9 	monitoring certain carp populations; and
39.10 	(3) Laws 2011, First Special Session 
39.11 	chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision 
39.12 	4, paragraph (g), Minnesota River Valley 
39.13 	Green Corridor Scientific and Natural Area 
39.14 	Acquisition.
39.15 	(b) The availability of the appropriations for 
39.16 	the following projects are extended to June 
39.17 	30, 2017:
39.18 	(1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2, 
39.19 	subdivision 5, paragraph (e), Measuring 
39.20 	Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge 
39.21 	Habitat Restoration; and
39.22 	(2) Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 2, 
39.23 	subdivision 3, paragraph (m), Measuring 
39.24 	Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge 
39.25 	Habitat Restoration.
39.26 	(c) The availability of the appropriation for 
39.27 	the following project is extended to June 
39.28 	30, 2019: Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 
39.29 	2, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), Enhancing 
39.30 	Pollinator Landscapes.
39.31 	(d) The following project may be extended 
39.32 	statewide, Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 
39.33 	2, subdivision 9, paragraph (c), Urban 
40.1 	Environmental Education Engaging Students 
40.2 	in Local Resources.

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

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

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

41.28 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
41.29 		Subd. 7.Peer review panel membership reviewers. (a) The peer review panel 
41.30 	reviewers must consist of at least five members who are be knowledgeable in general 
41.31 	research methods in the areas of environment and natural resources. Not more than two 
41.32 	members of the panel may be employees of state agencies in Minnesota.
41.33 	(b) The commission shall select a chair every two years who shall be responsible for 
41.34 	convening meetings of the panel as often as is necessary to fulfill its duties as prescribed 
42.1 	in this section. Compensation of panel members peer reviewers is governed by section 
42.2 	15.059, subdivision 3.

42.3 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
42.4 		Subd. 6.Conflict of interest. A commission member, a technical advisory 
42.5 	committee member, a peer review panelist reviewer, or an employee of the commission 
42.6 	may not participate in or vote on a decision of the commission, advisory committee, or 
42.7 	peer review panel relating to an organization in which the member, panelist peer reviewer, 
42.8 	or employee has either a direct or indirect personal financial interest. While serving on the 
42.9 	commission, technical advisory committee, or as a peer review panel reviewer, or being 
42.10 	an employee of the commission, a person shall avoid any potential conflict of interest.

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