HF 109

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 01/18/2011 09:47am

A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; appropriating money for RIM conservation
reserve; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

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

Section 1. new text begin RIM CONSERVATION RESERVE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $25,000,000 is appropriated from the bond
proceeds fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire conservation easements
from landowners to preserve, restore, create, and enhance wetlands; restore and enhance
rivers and streams, riparian lands, and associated uplands in order to protect soil and
water quality; support fish and wildlife habitat; reduce flood damage; and provide other
public benefits. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, apply to this
appropriation, except that the board may establish alternative payment rates for easements
and practices to establish restored native prairies, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
84.02, subdivision 7, and to protect uplands. Of this appropriation, up to ten percent
may be used to implement the program.
new text end

new text begin The board may give priority to the area designated for relief and recovery from the
flooding that occurred on or after August 18, 2007, in the area of southeast Minnesota
designated under Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster DR-1717.
new text end

new text begin At least $2,000,000 of this amount is available for use by the Cedar River and Turtle
Creek Watershed Districts in Freeborn, Mower, Dodge, and Steele Counties to restore
wetlands and reduce flooding in the Austin area.
new text end

new text begin Up to $8,000,000 of this amount is available for use in Minnesota counties in the
Red River Basin to restore wetlands and reduce flooding.
new text end

new text begin Up to $500,000 is for use in the Rum River watershed.
new text end

new text begin Up to $2,000,000 is for use in Area II.
new text end

new text begin $7,500,000 is for use in the seven-county metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin Up to $400,000 is for a grant to the Freeborn County Soil and Water Conservation
District for use in the Minnesota portion of the Bear Lake watershed.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board is authorized to enter into new agreements and amend past agreements
with landowners as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 5, to
allow for restoration, including overseeding and harvesting of native prairie vegetation
for use for energy production in a manner that does not devalue the natural habitat,
water quality benefits, or carbon sequestration functions of the area enrolled in the
easement. This shall occur after seed production and minimize impacts on wildlife. Of
this appropriation, up to five percent may be used for restoration, including overseeding.
The board must submit to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment
finance and capital investment an interim report on this program by October 1, 2011, and a
final report by February 1, 2012.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in this section from the
bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue
bonds of the state in an amount up to $25,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with
the effect prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the
Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end