HF 1493

1st Committee Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/19/2013 07:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; creating an account; appropriating money for state
parks and trails; requiring planning and a report; amending Minnesota Statutes
2008, section 85.53.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 85.53, is amended to read:

85.53 PARKS AND TRAILS FUND.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

The parks and trails fund is established in the
Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 15. All money earned by the parks and trails
fund must be credited to the fund.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin State park and trail legacy account. new text end

new text begin A state park and trail legacy account
is established in the parks and trails fund.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin STATE PARKS AND TRAILS APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $ ....... in fiscal year 2010 and $....... in fiscal year 2011 are appropriated to the
commissioner of natural resources from the park and trail legacy account to:
new text end

new text begin (1) connect people to the outdoors by providing access, conservation education, and
interpretative services with a goal of reaching at least 350,000 additional participants to
state parks and trails by the end of the biennium and reaching 25 percent of all state
parks and trails visitors through education programming. Activities to achieve the goal
include, but are not limited to, outdoors skills training; community assistance; volunteer
coordination and enhancement; marketing and technology enhancements to target new
audiences and provide new opportunities to engage citizens, including enhancements to the
department Web site; creating accessibility to facilities; and providing personal contact by:
new text end

new text begin (i) opening or reopening visitor centers at Lake Bronson, Blue Mounds, St. Croix,
and Grand Portage State Parks and expanding visitor center hours at other high profile
parks where appropriate;
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new text begin (ii) increasing the number of education interns working with park naturalists as
assistants from 18 to 30. Internships allow expansion of programming, create positive
partnerships with colleges and universities, and reach new audiences, particularly in
combining technology and education;
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new text begin (iii) adding ten new park naturalists, outdoor skills instructors, or outdoor education
teachers to provide expanded state park programming to reach new users, focusing on
families and children connecting technology fun with outdoor learning;
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new text begin (iv) attracting 50,000 new users, with a focus on young adults, families, and
children, through expanded outdoors programming focusing on connecting technology
fun with outdoor learning;
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new text begin (v) conducting 500 requested park conservation education programs for schools and
other groups;
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new text begin (vi) advancing new conservation education delivery methods reaching new and
younger audiences with 50 new MP3 audio trail guides, educational touch screen
computers, podcasts, and videocasts;
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new text begin (vii) providing interpretive services for state trails, including at least five new kiosks,
signage, updating five trail maps, and developing three new resource oriented brochures;
new text end

new text begin (viii) producing a new state map integrating state parks, trails, and regional park and
trail facilities; and
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new text begin (ix) enhancing cross-country skiing and winter use opportunities in at least ten
state parks or trails;
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new text begin (2) accelerate natural resource management, restoration, and protection activities,
including but not limited to:
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new text begin (i) restoring at least 300 acres of state park prairie, oak savanna, and wetland and
at least 400 acres of forest targeted to the north shore region and Itasca and Maplewood
State Parks;
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new text begin (ii) conducting prescribed burns on an additional 6,000 acres of prairie and
fire-dependent forest if conditions allow;
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new text begin (iii) controlling invasive species on an additional 4,000 acres of prairie, forests,
and wetlands;
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new text begin (iv) completing state parks animal species database for all vertebrates and selected
invertebrates;
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new text begin (v) providing establishment mowing and invasive species control for 670 acres
of in-progress prairie reconstructions; and
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new text begin (vi) restoring and managing native prairies and woodlands along at least six percent
of the developed miles of state trails, including removing invasive species; and
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new text begin (3) accelerate facility maintenance, rehabilitation, and energy conservation by:
new text end

new text begin (i) upgrading at least four percent of facilities in overnight and day use areas and
trails, including contact stations, sanitation buildings, visitor centers, lodging, utility
systems, roads, parking areas, picnic areas, and fire rings;
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new text begin (ii) improving access to parks and trails systems for visitors of all ability levels at
no fewer than 15 sites each year;
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new text begin (iii) enhancing the trail surface of 50 miles of state trails, resurfacing ten to 20
miles of state trails, repairing three to five trail bridges, and replacing one to two bridges
annually;
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new text begin (iv) rehabilitating and renewing trails in state parks and state forests for hiking,
biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding at the rate of at least
four percent per year; and
new text end

new text begin (v) increasing energy conservation and operations, promoting new
conservation-based energy sources, and reducing energy costs in at least seven buildings
and facilities.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall utilize the Minnesota Conservation Corps and Youth
Corps to carry out the activities of this section when practicable and to leverage federal
stimulus funding for these purposes.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall develop and use appropriate signage as notice to parks
and trails visitors that activities funded under this section are the results of the clean water,
land, and legacy constitutional amendment adopted by the voters in November 2008. The
commissioner shall make information regarding projects funded under this section and the
measurable outcomes of the projects available on the department's Web site.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall submit a report on the expenditure and use of money
appropriated under this section to the legislature by March 1 of each year. The report must
relate the expenditure of funds by the categories established and detail the outcomes in
terms of additional use of parks and trails resources, user satisfaction surveys, and other
appropriate outcomes.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner shall undertake a ten year strategic state parks and trails plan
to use funding available under the Minnesota Constitution, article 11, section 15, and a
25-year vision plan for the use of the funds. The plans must include goals and measurable
outcome objectives. In developing the plans, the commissioner shall utilize a process,
including Web site survey tools, that includes at least seven regional listening sessions
and ensures that citizens are included in the development and finalization of the plans.
The commissioner shall provide for input from the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council,
the Minnesota United Snowmobile Association, the Minnesota Trail Riders Association,
the ATV Association of Minnesota, the Amateur Riders Motorcycle Association District
Number 23, the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association, and local and regional park and trail
organizations. The commissioner shall present the ten-year plan and 25-year vision plan
in a report to the legislature no later than January 15, 2011.
new text end