HF 1498

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/22/2017 02:45pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing for goals and strategies for Minnesota River
basin; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 103B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [103B.75] MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Coordination; goals and strategies. new text end

new text begin (a) The Board of Water and Soil
Resources must coordinate development and implementation of Minnesota River basin
goals and strategies for sediment reduction, flow reduction, and nutrient reduction and
allocation of those reductions proportionally to the 13 major watersheds in the Minnesota
River basin. The goals and strategies, as well as a coordinated schedule for finalizing the
watershed restoration and protection strategies and the comprehensive watershed management
plans required under section 103B.801 for the 13 major watersheds in the Minnesota River
basin, must be completed by December 31, 2019.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Board of Water and Soil Resources must ensure use of sound science, hydrologic
and hydraulic modeling, and related technical information to achieve the desired outcomes
for the Minnesota River basin goals and strategies under paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Comprehensive watershed management plans. new text end

new text begin Comprehensive watershed
management plans developed under section 103B.801 for the 13 major watersheds in the
Minnesota River basin must include the goals and strategies developed under subdivision
1. The comprehensive watershed management plans for the 13 major watersheds in the
Minnesota River basin must be completed consistent with the schedule in subdivision 1,
but no later than December 31, 2023.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Advisory committees. new text end

new text begin The Board of Water and Soil Resources must establish
technical, scientific, and policy advisory committees to advise the board in developing goals
and strategies under subdivision 1. The advisory committees must be representative of the
13 major watersheds in the Minnesota River basin and must represent the diversity of
interests and sectors in the Minnesota River basin. The board must convene a meeting of
the advisory committees at least quarterly during development of the goals and strategies.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 15 each odd-numbered year, the Board of Water and
Soil Resources must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of
representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural
resources and agriculture on:
new text end

new text begin (1) the goals and strategies developed under subdivision 1;
new text end

new text begin (2) the progress toward meeting the goals and strategies; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the biennial funding needed to continue to achieve outcomes consistent with the
goals and strategies.
new text end

new text begin (b) For each of the 13 major watersheds in the Minnesota River basin, the report must
include funding requests to implement comprehensive watershed management plans, from
each of the following funds:
new text end

new text begin (1) outdoor heritage;
new text end

new text begin (2) clean water;
new text end

new text begin (3) environment and natural resources trust;
new text end

new text begin (4) general; and
new text end

new text begin (5) bond proceeds.
new text end

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

new text begin $2,250,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $2,250,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from
the clean water fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for implementing Minnesota
Statutes, section 103B.75. Of this amount, $1,000,000 each year is for grants to local
government units in the 13 major watersheds in the Minnesota River basin to initiate and
complete comprehensive watershed management plans under Minnesota Statutes, section
103B.801; $250,000 each year is for Board of Water and Soil Resources staffing and
coordination; and up to $1,000,000 each year is for developing technical and scientific
information and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling to support the goals in Minnesota
Statutes, section 103B.75, subdivision 1. This appropriation, to the extent practical, must
leverage federal money related to implementing Minnesota River basin goals and strategies.
Any unexpended balance of this appropriation may be used to implement priority flow and
sediment reduction practices in the Minnesota River basin. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2022.
new text end