HF 932

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/10/2021 04:04pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing program for water quality and storage;
requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 103F.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [103F.05] WATER QUALITY AND STORAGE PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision
have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Board" means the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Local units of government" has the meaning given under section 103B.305,
subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The board must establish a program to provide financial
assistance to local units of government to control water volume and rates to protect
infrastructure, improve water quality and related public benefits, and mitigate climate change
impacts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Financial assistance. new text end

new text begin (a) The board may provide financial assistance to local
units of government to cover the costs of water storage projects and other water quality
practices consistent with a plan approved according to chapter 103B, 103C, or 103D. Eligible
costs include costs for property and equipment acquisition, design, engineering, construction,
and management. The board may acquire conservation easements under sections 103F.501
to 103F.531 as necessary to implement a project or practice under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board must enter into agreements with local units of government receiving
financial assistance under this section. The agreements must specify the terms of state and
local cooperation, including the financing arrangement for constructing any structures and
assuring maintenance of the structures after completion.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Matching contribution. new text end

new text begin The board must require a matching contribution when
providing financial assistance under this section and may adjust matching requirements if
federal funds are available for the project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Technical assistance. new text end

new text begin (a) The board may employ or contract with an engineer
or hydrologist to work on the technical implementation of the program established under
this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) When implementing the program, the board must:
new text end

new text begin (1) assist local units of government in achieving the goals of the program;
new text end

new text begin (2) review and analyze projects and project sites; and
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new text begin (3) evaluate the effectiveness of completed projects constructed under the program.
new text end

new text begin (c) The board must cooperate with the commissioner of natural resources, the United
States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other agencies
as needed to analyze hydrological, climate, and engineering information on proposed sites.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) A local unit of government applying for financial assistance
under this section must provide a copy of a resolution or other documentation of the local
unit of government's support for the project. The documentation must include provisions
for local funding and management, the proposed method of obtaining necessary land rights
for the proposed project, and an assignment of responsibility for maintaining any structures
or practices upon completion.
new text end

new text begin (b) A local unit of government, with the assistance of the board, must evaluate the public
benefits that are reasonably expected upon completing the proposed project. The evaluation
must be submitted to the board before the final design.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Interstate cooperation. new text end

new text begin The board may enter into or approve working
agreements with neighboring states or their political subdivisions to accomplish projects
consistent with the program established under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Federal aid availability. new text end

new text begin The board must regularly analyze the availability of
federal funds and programs to supplement or complement state and local efforts consistent
with the purposes of this section.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from
the general fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for the water quality and storage
program under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.05.
new text end