HF 1874

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/25/2014 01:29pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money from environment and natural
resources trust fund; modifying provisions for Legislative-Citizen Commission
on Minnesota Resources; modifying requirements for land acquisition with trust
fund money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 116P.17;
repealing Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116P.05, subdivision 3.

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

Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to
the agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from
the environment and natural resources trust fund and are available for the fiscal years
indicated for each purpose. The figures "2014" and "2015" used in this article mean that
the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014,
or June 30, 2015, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2014. "The second year" is
fiscal year 2015. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

			APPROPRIATIONS
			Available for the Year
			Ending June 30
				2014		2015

Sec. 2. MINNESOTA RESOURCES

Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation

$

-0-

$

28,970,000

Appropriations by Fund
	2014	2015
Environment and natural resources trust fund	-0-	29,270,000

The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.

Appropriations are available for two
years beginning July 1, 2014, unless
otherwise stated in the appropriation. Any
unencumbered balance remaining in the first
year does not cancel and is available for the
second year.

Subd. 2. Definition

"Trust fund" means the Minnesota
environment and natural resources trust fund
referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section
116P.02, subdivision 6.

Subd. 3. Water Resources

-0-

4,579,000

(a) Solar-Driven Destruction of Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, and Contaminants in Water

$291,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to quantify the
solar-driven destruction of contaminants
reacting with dissolved organic matter to
optimize water treatment methods and guide
reuse. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(b) Methods to Protect Beneficial Bacteria from Contaminants to Preserve Water Quality

$279,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to research how
and why bacteria that provide ecological
functions humans depend on for water
quality are affected by exposure to certain
man-made perfluorinated chemicals entering
the wastewater treatment system in order to
identify methods that can be implemented to
protect those bacterial functions from being
degraded. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2017, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.

(c) Triclosan Impacts on Wastewater Treatment

$380,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to assess the role
of the commercially used antibacterial agent
triclosan in creating antibiotic resistant
bacteria during the municipal wastewater
treatment process. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2017, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(d) Evaluation of Wastewater Nitrogen and Estrogen Treatment Options

$500,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to examine the
performance of new wastewater contaminant
treatment options under Minnesota weather
conditions in order to understand how to
improve wastewater treatment of nitrogen
and estrogenic compounds, decrease costs
and energy use, and safeguard aquatic
species. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(e) Antibiotics and Antibiotic-Resistant Genes in Minnesota Lakes

$300,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to quantify the relationship
between antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant
bacteria in Minnesota lakes to determine if
improved wastewater treatment is necessary
to protect human and aquatic health. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(f) Impacts of Estrogen Exposure on Minnesota's Shallow Lake Wildlife

$136,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the University of
St. Thomas to use biological samples
already gathered from shallow lakes across
Minnesota to determine the environmental
estrogen exposure impacts on aquatic
wildlife in shallow lakes for enhanced land
and lake management. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2017, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(g) Watershed-Scale Monitoring of Long-Term Best Management Practice Effectiveness

$900,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Science Museum of Minnesota
for the St. Croix Watershed Research
Station to evaluate the effectiveness of best
management practices in reducing sediment
and nutrient loads at watershed scales over
long time periods. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2017, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(h) Protection of State's Confined Drinking Water Aquifers

$394,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the United States
Geological Survey to test methods of defining
properties of confined drinking water aquifers
in order to improve water management.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(i) Watershed Water Budgets for Managing Minnesota's Groundwater

$129,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with the United
States Geological Survey to create a pilot
study to calculate complete watershed water
budgets for two counties in Minnesota for
enhanced groundwater management. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(j) Identifying Causes of Exceptionally High Mercury in Fish

$743,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of the Pollution
Control Agency to quantify the probable
causes of high mercury levels in fish
within the Roseau River and two tributaries
of the Red River of the North to guide
further mercury reduction initiatives. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(k) Reducing Lake Quality Impairments through Citizen Action

$59,000 the second year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Freshwater Society to
train lake associations and other stakeholder
groups to develop lake management plans
and to implement science-based, citizen-led
water quality improvement projects on
impaired lakes in west central Minnesota.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(l) Rainwater Reuse and Valuation Investigation

$300,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to design, install, and monitor a
rainwater reuse system for use in evaporative
chiller systems and identify other potential
applications for rainwater reuse systems.

(m) Measuring Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge Habitat Restoration

$168,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with the Red
Lake Watershed District and the United
States Geological Survey for completion of
the analysis of flooding and water-quality
benefits resulting from wetland and prairie
restorations at Glacial Ridge National
Wildlife Refuge.

Subd. 4. Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species

-0-

2,298,000

(a) Blocking Bighead, Silver, and Other Invasive Carp by Optimizing Lock and Dams

$854,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to collaborate with
the United States Army Corps of Engineers
to develop ways, including new technologies,
to modify the operations of Lock and Dam
Numbers 2 to 8 to optimize their ability to
impede invasive carp movement into the
Minnesota, St. Croix, and Mississippi Rivers.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(b) Bioacoustics to Detect, Deter, and Eliminate Silver Carp

$262,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota-Duluth to develop bioacoustic
technology for detection and early warning
systems, capture and elimination methods,
and deterrent systems for silver carp. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(c) Northwest Minnesota Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pilot

$219,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with the Red
River Basin Commission to develop aquatic
invasive species prevention strategies on a
watershed scale and develop materials to
sustain watershed scale decision-making
and implementation. This initiative must
be coordinated with the Department of
Natural Resources and outdoor heritage fund
activities for locally based invasive species
control. Specific reporting and analysis of
outcomes and findings of this alternative
approach must be provided to enable
duplication in other regions of the state.

(d) Biosurveillance and Biocontrol of Emerald Ash Borer - Phase 2

$447,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of agriculture
in cooperation with the University of
Minnesota to continue to monitor ash tree
and emerald ash borer populations and
expand the biological control implementation
for emerald ash borer management. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(e) Mountain Pine Beetle Invasive Threat to Minnesota's Pines

$175,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota and $75,000 the second year
is from the trust fund to the commissioner
of agriculture to survey for the presence and
characterize the potential risk of the invasive
mountain pine beetle to Minnesota's pine
forests to inform early detection and rapid
response. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2017, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.

(f) Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Monitoring and Biocontrol Evaluation

$99,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of agriculture
and $167,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to monitor for brown
marmorated stink bugs to identify problem
areas, target biocontrol efforts, and evaluate
the suitability of candidate biological
control agents for use in Minnesota. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

Subd. 5. Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information

-0-

4,210,000

(a) Update Statewide Land Cover Use Map

$300,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to update Minnesota's land
cover data at moderate spatial resolution
statewide and at high resolution for selected
areas, distribute products, and provide
training. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(b) State Spring Inventory for Resource Management and Protection

$200,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources to develop necessary protocols,
processes, and definitions of springs along
with limited field testing of inventory
procedures in priority areas to enable a
systematic inventory of springs statewide
needed to maintain spring flows and protect
groundwater-dependent resources. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(c) Drainage Records Modernization and Statewide Geographic Information System Database

$230,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Water and
Soil Resources to develop a template and
Web-based geographic information system
(GIS) database portal to facilitate statewide
modernization of public drainage records
under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103E, and
integrate new specifications into existing
drainage records modernization guidelines.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(d) Restoring Forest Inventory Data

$100,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to obtain and restore statewide
forest inventories of 1935, 1953, and 1966
to link with more recent data to improve
understanding of historical forest trends and
enhance long-term ecological monitoring.

(e) Assessing Species Vulnerability to Climate Change Using Phenology

$175,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to compile and use
historical datasets to assess change over
time in the ecology of Minnesota species,
identify vulnerable species, and inform
management strategies for climate change.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(f) Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas - Final Phase

$300,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Audobon Minnesota to
complete a statewide survey of Minnesota's
breeding bird distributions through final
analysis, preparation, and dissemination of
information collected on an ongoing basis
since 2008 on breeding birds in the state.
The completed atlas must be available for
download from the Internet free of charge.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(g) Assessing Contaminants in Minnesota's Loons and Pelicans - Phase 2

$260,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
to continue to assess the potential impact
of petroleum, dispersants, and heavy metal
contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill in the Gulf of Mexico on the wintering
habitat of Minnesota's common loons
and white pelicans using radiotelemetry,
geolocators, and contaminant analysis.

(h) Sandhill Crane Populations and Management in Minnesota

$250,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of
the University of Minnesota to delineate
population boundaries, habitat use relative to
crop depredation, and migration patterns and
survival of Minnesota's two populations of
sandhill cranes, Mid-continent and Eastern.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(i) Wild Bee Pollinator Surveys in Prairie-Grassland Habitats

$370,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
to assess the current status and distribution
of wild bee pollinators in prairie-grassland
habitats of Minnesota.

(j) Imperiled Prairie Butterfly Conservation, Research, and Breeding Program

$380,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Minnesota Zoological Garden
and $245,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources to prevent the extirpation and
possible extinction of imperiled native
Minnesota butterfly species through
breeding, genetics and mortality research,
inventory, monitoring, and public education.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(k) Conserving Minnesota's Native Freshwater Mussels

$350,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota in cooperation
with Macalester College to document
native freshwater mussel abundance
and distribution, quantify environmental
conditions necessary to conserve Minnesota's
native freshwater mussels, and conduct
outreach to local organizations and the
public. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(l) Impacts of Forest Quality on Declining Minnesota Moose

$300,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota in cooperation with
the Department of Natural Resources to
link regional patterns of moose abundance
through time to the distribution of food
and cover and determine if this distribution
affects the diet and survival of individual
moose. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(m) Moose Decline and Air Temperatures in Northeastern Minnesota

$600,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources in cooperation with the University
of Minnesota to study the physiology and
behavior of adult moose and effects of female
condition on calf production and survival to
determine the impact of air temperature on
moose population performance and decline.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(n) Expansion of Minnesota Wildflowers Online Botanical Reference

$150,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with Minnesota
Wildflowers Information to accelerate field
work for surveying and imaging of plant
species and publication of species profiles
to a plant identification reference Web site
available to the public and land managers.
Images acquired and information compiled
using these funds are for purposes of public
information available on a Web site. If the
organization is no longer able to maintain the
Web site, the organization shall work with
the state and the University of Minnesota
Bell Museum of Natural History to ensure
the materials remain publicly available on
the Web. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

Subd. 6. Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat

-0-

3,675,000

(a) Enhancing Pollinator Landscapes

$864,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to identify sources
of nectar and pollen for native pollinators
and honey bees and coordinate ongoing and
future efforts to enhance pollinator habitat
and opportunities for pollinator nesting and
foraging. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(b) Understanding Systemic Insecticides as Protection Strategy for Bees

$326,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to continue research
on how native bee and honey bee colonies
are impacted by systemic, neonicotinyl
insecticides in pollen and nectar of plants
growing in fields and landscapes. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(c) Prairie Sustainability Through Seed Storage, Beneficial Microbes, and Adaptation

$600,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to collect and
preserve germplasm of plants throughout
Minnesota's prairie region, study the
microbial effects that promote plant health,
analyze local adaptation, and evaluate the
adaptive capacity of prairie plant populations.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(d) Northeast Minnesota White Cedar Restoration – Phase 2

$335,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources
to continue an assessment of the decline of
northern white cedar plant communities in
northeast Minnesota, demonstrate restoration
techniques, and provide cedar restoration
training to local units of government. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(e) Southeast Minnesota Watershed Protection Plan

$200,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with The Nature
Conservancy to provide a framework and
plans for the protection and stewardship of
unimpaired waters in southeast Minnesota.
The result will be a template for watershed
protection in Minnesota. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2017, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(f) Upland and Shoreline Restoration in Greater Metropolitan Area

$300,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with Great River
Greening to restore and enhance upland,
shoreline, and approximately 150 acres of
forests, woodlands, savanna, and prairie and
to provide related educational opportunities
for volunteers in the greater metropolitan
area. A list of proposed restorations and
enhancements must be provided as part of
the required work plan. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2017, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(g) Prairie, Forest, and Savanna Restoration in Greater Metropolitan Area

$200,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Friends of the
Mississippi River to restore approximately
150 acres of prairie, forests, and oak savanna
in the greater metropolitan area. A list of
proposed restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required work
plan. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(h) Nutrient Capture through Water Management and Biomass Harvesting

$300,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the Red River Basin
Commission to evaluate the potential capture
of excess nutrients using cattails grown and
harvested within shallow flood reservoirs
for bioenergy use. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2017, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(i) Cattail Management for Wetland Wildlife and Bioenergy Potential

$74,000 the second year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the Northwest Research and
Outreach Center in Crookston to evaluate
different management techniques for cattail
control and related wildlife impacts in
northwest Minnesota and to assess the use of
cattails as a biofuel feedstock.

(j) Dredged Sediment for Forest Restoration on Unproductive Minelands

$300,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota–Duluth for the
Natural Resources Research Institute to
restore up to 136 acres of unproductive mine
stockpile while improving the treatment
of municipal sewage and biosolids near
Virginia using clean Erie Pier dredged
sediment and managed forestry techniques.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(k) Expansion of Greenhouse Production

$176,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with the city
of Silver Bay to expand and enhance a
city-owned greenhouse facility to increase
system production for locally grown food on
a year-round basis and reduce water usage.

Subd. 7. Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation

-0-

6,923,000

(a) Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition, Restoration, Improvement, and Citizen Engagement

$2,540,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources to acquire lands with high-quality
native plant communities and rare features to
be established as scientific and natural areas
as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 5, restore and improve
parts of scientific and natural areas, and
provide technical assistance and outreach. A
list of proposed acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required work program. Land
acquired with this appropriation must
be sufficiently improved to meet at least
minimum management standards, as
determined by the commissioner of natural
resources. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2017, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.

(b) Metropolitan Regional Park System Acquisition

$1,500,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Metropolitan Council for
grants for the acquisition of lands within
the approved park unit boundaries of the
metropolitan regional park system. This
appropriation may not be used for the
purchase of habitable residential structures.
A list of proposed fee title and easement
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required work program. This appropriation
must be matched by at least 40 percent of
nonstate money that must be committed by
December 31, 2014, or the appropriation
cancels. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(c) Mesabi Trail Development – Soudan to Ely Segment

$1,000,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with St. Louis
and Lake Counties Regional Rail Authority
for the right-of-way acquisition, design, and
construction of segments of the Mesabi Trail
totaling approximately 18 miles between
Soudan and Ely. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2017, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(d) Shoreland Acquisition on St. Croix River

$1,250,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Washington County to
purchase 15 acres, encompassing 3,500 feet
of St. Croix shoreland paralleling Brown's
Creek State Trail in the city of Stillwater. The
county will transfer the parcel to the city of
Stillwater. This appropriation is contingent
on the expenditure of at least $2,500,000 of
nonstate match.

(e) Martin County Park and Natural Area Acquisition

$435,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with the Fox
Lake Conservation League, Inc. and Martin
County to acquire approximately 40 acres
in Martin County, including a ten-acre
prairie remnant to be owned and managed
by Martin County as part of its park system.
A vegetation management plan must be
developed and implemented and public
access must be provided to the native prairie
remnant. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(f) Minnesota River Water Trailhead and Landing in Morton

$198,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the city of Morton to
acquire 31 acres for a Minnesota River water
trailhead and canoe landing and to design and
build interpretative trails around the landing
complex. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

Subd. 8. Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy

-0-

3,360,000

(a) Solar Cell Materials from Sulfur and Common Metals

$494,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to develop solar cell
materials using nontoxic and common metals
combined with sulfur. This appropriation
is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
116P.10. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2017, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.

(b) Innovative Groundwater-Enhanced Geothermal Heat Pump Study

$196,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to analyze and
validate a new geothermal pump method and
technology that will reduce heat pump costs
and improve performance and predictability.
This appropriation is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116P.10.

(c) Demonstrating Innovative Technologies to Fully Utilize Wastewater Resources

$1,000,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to demonstrate
innovative technologies to utilize and
treat wastewater streams for conversion
of treatment by-products to biofuels. This
appropriation is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2017, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(d) Transitioning Minnesota Farms to Local Energy

$500,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota for the West Central Research
and Outreach Center in Morris to develop
clean energy strategies for Minnesota farms
in order to reduce fossil fuel energy use
and increase local energy production. Any
installation of infrastructure or improvements
must be at the University of Minnesota West
Central Research and Outreach Center. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(e) Life Cycle Energy of Renewably Produced Nitrogen Fertilizers

$250,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota for the West Central Research
and Outreach Center in Morris to calculate
fossil fuel energy savings and greenhouse
gas reductions resulting from the use of local
renewable energy technologies, including
biomass gasification, anaerobic digestion,
and hydroelectricity to produce fertilizer.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(f) Clean Water and Renewable Energy from Beet Processing Wastewater and Manure

$400,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota for the Southern
Research and Outreach Center in Waseca to
research the cofermentation of sugar beet
processing wastewater and swine manure
for hydrogen and methane production and
to install and evaluate a pilot-scale system.
This appropriation is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2017, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(g) Next Generation Large-Scale Septic Tank Systems

$258,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to develop a
dual utility large-scale septic tank system
designed for nutrient recuperation, bioenergy
generation, and environmental protection
using a bio-electrochemical system. This
appropriation is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2017, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(h) Solar Photovoltaic Installation at Residential Environmental Learning Centers

$150,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for agreements as follows: $25,000
with Audubon Center of the North Woods;
$25,000 with Deep Portage Learning Center;
$25,000 with Eagle Bluff Environmental
Learning Center; $25,000 with Laurentian
Environmental Learning Center; $25,000
with Long Lake Conservation Center; and
$25,000 with Wolf Ridge Environmental
Learning Center to install five kilowatt
institutional solar arrays at each of the six
residential environmental learning centers
as a teaching tool. Prior to the installation,
the proposed placement of the solar arrays
must be submitted to the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources office
to ensure the demonstration of the maximum
educational value.

(i) Itasca Community College Woody Biomass Utilization Project Design

$112,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Itasca Community
College to develop a final design for
installation of a boiler heating system using
woody biomass. Students at the college must
be involved in the final design process.

Subd. 9. Environmental Education

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3,681,000

(a) Minnesota Conservation Apprenticeship Academy

$392,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources in cooperation with Conservation
Corps Minnesota to continue a program
to train and mentor future conservation
professionals by providing apprenticeship
service opportunities with soil and water
conservation districts. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2017, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.

(b) Youth-led Sustainability Initiatives in 40 Greater Minnesota Communities

$350,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for an agreement with Prairie
Woods Environmental Learning Center
and Laurentian Environmental Learning
Center to complete over 100 youth-led
sustainability action projects in 40
communities in southwest, southeast, central
and northeastern Minnesota.

(c) Urban Environmental Education Engaging Students in Local Resources

$1,093,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Wilderness Inquiry
for a collaborative partnership, including the
National Park Service, Minneapolis Public
Schools, and St. Paul Public Schools, to
establish a metrowide system providing
place-based environmental education
experiences using existing, but underutilized,
outdoor environmental resources serving
over 15,000 middle and high school students.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(d) Diversifying Involvement in the Natural Resources Community

$416,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources and $84,000 is to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota to
increase participation of under-represented
communities in the natural resource
professions and in outdoor recreation by
means of targeted urban outreach and
stronger linkages between Department of
Natural Resources programs and academic
offerings. This initiative must be coordinated
with other environmental education
appropriations in this subdivision. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(e) Educating Minnesotans about Potential Impacts of Changing Climate

$325,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the Will Steger
Foundation to plan and conduct forums,
workshops, and trainings on Minnesota's
changing climate and the potential impacts
on ecosystems and natural resources. An
accompanying television program and
information spots must be produced for
broadcast and use at the forums.

(f) Pollinator Education Center at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

$615,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to develop exhibits
for an educational center that will offer
hands-on learning experience about the role
of pollinators and importance of pollinator
habitat. Exhibits must utilize and integrate
the best available science pertaining to
all pollinator types, particularly native
species. Approval of the work plan for
this appropriation is contingent upon the
organization addressing how it will increase
access to the center by youth at no or limited
cost.

(g) Minnesota Pollinator Partnership

$100,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to
complete 40 community pollinator education
and habitat projects. This appropriation
must be coordinated with appropriations
provided by the outdoor heritage fund. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2017, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.

(h) Raptor Center Integrating Online and Outdoor Learning Environments

$186,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota for the Raptor
Center to develop an environmental
education program on raptors for middle
schools that integrates outdoor experiences
with technology and scientific investigation.

(i) Wolf Management Education

$120,000 the second year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the International
Wolf Center for outreach to metro area
kindergarten through grade 12 classrooms
and nature centers to help children understand
wolf management issues.

Subd. 10. Administration and Contract Agreement Reimbursement

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244,000

(a) Contract Agreement Reimbursement

$135,000 the second year is from
the trust fund to the commissioner of
natural resources at the direction of
the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources for expenses incurred
for contract agreement reimbursement for
the agreements specified in this section. The
commissioner shall provide documentation
to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of
these funds.

(b) Legislative Coordinating Commission Legacy Web Site

$9,000 the second year is from the trust fund
to the Legislative Coordinating Commission
for the Web site required in Minnesota
Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10.

(c) Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR)

$100,000 the second year is from the
trust fund to the LCCMR for upgrade
and modernization of a project records
management system.

Subd. 11. Availability of Appropriations

Money appropriated in this section may
not be spent on activities unless they are
directly related to and necessary for a specific
appropriation and are specified in the work
plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Money appropriated in this section must
not be spent on indirect costs or other
institutional overhead charges that are
not directly related to and necessary for
a specific appropriation. Costs that are
directly related to and necessary for an
appropriation, including financial services,
human resources, information services, rent,
and utilities, are eligible only if the costs
can be clearly justified and individually
documented specific to the appropriation's
purpose and would not be generated by
the recipient but for the receipt of the
appropriation. No broad allocations for costs
in either dollars or percentages are allowed.
Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in
this section are available until June 30, 2016,
when projects must be completed and final
products delivered. For acquisition of real
property, the appropriations in this section
are available for an additional fiscal year if a
binding contract for acquisition of the real
property is entered into before the original
expiration date of the appropriation. If a
project receives a federal grant, the time
period of the appropriation is extended to
equal the federal grant period.

Subd. 12. Data Availability Requirements

Data collected by the projects funded under
this section must conform to guidelines
and standards adopted by MN.IT Services.
Spatial data also must conform to additional
guidelines and standards designed to support
data coordination and distribution that have
been published by the Minnesota Geospatial
Information Office. Descriptions of spatial
data must be prepared as specified in
the state's geographic metadata guideline
and must be submitted to the Minnesota
Geospatial Information Office. All data must
be accessible and free to the public unless
made private under the Data Practices Act,
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. To the extent
practicable, summary data and results of
projects funded under this section should
be readily accessible on the Internet and
identified as having received funding from
the environment and natural resources trust
fund.

Subd. 13. Project Requirements

(a) As a condition of accepting an
appropriation under this section, any agency
or entity receiving an appropriation or a
party to an agreement from an appropriation
must comply with paragraphs (b) to (k)
and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P, and
must submit a work plan and semiannual
progress reports in the form determined
by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources for any project funded
in whole or in part with funds from the
appropriation. Modifications to the approved
work plan and budget expenditures shall
be made through the amendment process
established by the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources.

(b) For all restorations conducted with
money appropriated under this section,
a recipient must prepare an ecological
restoration and management plan that, to
the degree practicable, is consistent with the
highest quality conservation and ecological
goals for the restoration site. Consideration
should be given to soil, geology, topography,
and other relevant factors that would provide
the best chance for long-term success of the
restoration projects. The plan must include
the proposed timetable for implementing
the restoration, including site preparation,
establishment of diverse plant species,
maintenance, and additional enhancement to
establish the restoration; identify long-term
maintenance and management needs of
the restoration and how the maintenance,
management, and enhancement will be
financed; and take advantage of the best
available science and include innovative
techniques to achieve the best restoration.

(c) Any entity receiving an appropriation in
this section for restoration activities must
provide an initial restoration evaluation
at the completion of the appropriation
and an evaluation three years beyond the
completion of the expenditure. Restorations
must be evaluated relative to the stated
goals and standards in the restoration plan,
current science, and, when applicable, the
Board of Water and Soil Resources' native
vegetation establishment and enhancement
guidelines. The evaluation shall determine
whether the restorations are meeting planned
goals, identify any problems with the
implementation of the restorations, and,
if necessary, give recommendations on
improving restorations. The evaluation shall
be focused on improving future restorations.

(d) All restoration and enhancement projects
funded with money appropriated in this
section must be on land permanently
protected by a conservation easement or
public ownership.

(e) A recipient of money from an
appropriation under this section must
give consideration to contracting with
Conservation Corps Minnesota for contract
restoration and enhancement services.

(f) All conservation easements acquired with
money appropriated under this section must:

(1) be perpetual;

(2) specify the parties to an easement in the
easement;

(3) specify all of the provisions of an
agreement that are perpetual;

(4) be sent to the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources in an
electronic format at least ten business days
prior to closing;

(5) include a long-term monitoring and
enforcement plan and funding for monitoring
and enforcing the easement agreement; and

(6) include requirements in the easement
document to address specific groundwater
and surface water quality protection activities
such as keeping water on the landscape,
reducing nutrient and contaminant loading,
protecting groundwater, and not permitting
artificial hydrological modifications.

(g) For any acquisition of land or interest in
land, a recipient of money appropriated under
this section must give priority to high-quality
natural resources or conservation lands that
provide natural buffers to water resources.

(h) For new lands acquired with money
appropriated under this section, a recipient
must prepare an ecological restoration
and management plan in compliance with
paragraph (b), including sufficient funding
for implementation unless the work plan
addresses why a portion of the money is
not necessary to achieve a high-quality
restoration.

(i) To the extent an appropriation is used to
acquire an interest in real property, a recipient
of an appropriation under this section
must provide to the Legislative-Citizen
Commission on Minnesota Resources and
the commissioner of management and budget
an analysis of increased operation and
maintenance costs likely to be incurred by
public entities as a result of the acquisition
and how these costs are to be paid.

(j) To ensure public accountability for
the use of public funds, within 60 days
of the transaction, a recipient of money
appropriated under this section must provide
to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources documentation of the
selection process used to identify parcels
acquired and provide documentation of all
related transaction costs, including but not
limited to appraisals, legal fees, recording
fees, commissions, other similar costs,
and donations. This information must be
provided for all parties involved in the
transaction. The recipient must also report
to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources any difference between
the acquisition amount paid to the seller
and the state-certified or state-reviewed
appraisal, if a state-certified or state-reviewed
appraisal was conducted. Acquisition data
such as appraisals may remain private during
negotiations but must ultimately be made
public according to Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 13. The commission may waive the
application of this paragraph for specific
projects.

(k) A recipient of an appropriation from
the trust fund under this section must
acknowledge financial support from
the Minnesota environment and natural
resources trust fund in project publications,
signage, and other public communications
and outreach related to work completed
using the appropriation. Acknowledgement
may occur, as appropriate, through use of
the trust fund logo or inclusion of language
attributing support from the trust fund. Each
direct recipient of money appropriated in
this section, as well as each recipient of a
grant awarded pursuant to this section, must
satisfy all reporting and other requirements
incumbent upon constitutionally dedicated
funding recipients as provided in Minnesota
Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10, and
chapter 116P.

Subd. 14. Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures

(a) All agreements, grants, or contracts
referred to in this section must be
administered on a reimbursement basis
unless otherwise provided in this section.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
16A.41, expenditures made on or after
July 1, 2014, or the date the work plan is
approved, whichever is later, are eligible for
reimbursement unless otherwise provided
in this section. Periodic payment must be
made upon receiving documentation that
the deliverable items articulated in the
approved work plan have been achieved,
including partial achievements as evidenced
by approved progress reports. Reasonable
amounts may be advanced to projects to
accommodate cash flow needs or match
federal money. The advances must be
approved as part of the work plan. No
expenditures for capital equipment are
allowed unless expressly authorized in the
project work plan.

(b) Single source contracts as specified in the
approved work plan are allowed.

Subd. 15. Purchase of Recycled and Recyclable Materials

A political subdivision, public or private
corporation, or other entity that receives an
appropriation under this section must use the
appropriation in compliance with Minnesota
Statutes, section 16B.121, regarding
purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable
materials; and Minnesota Statutes, section
16B.122, regarding purchase and use of
paper stock and printing.

Subd. 16. Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Guidelines

A recipient to whom an appropriation is made
under this section for a capital improvement
project must ensure that the project complies
with the applicable energy conservation and
sustainable building guidelines and standards
contained in law, including Minnesota
Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and
216C.20, and rules adopted under those
sections. The recipient may use the energy
planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office
units of the Department of Commerce to
obtain information and technical assistance
on energy conservation and alternative
energy development relating to the planning
and construction of the capital improvement
project.

Subd. 17. Accessibility

Structural and nonstructural facilities must
meet the design standards in the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility
guidelines.

Subd. 18. Easement Monitoring and Enforcement Requirements

Money appropriated under this section for
easement monitoring and enforcement may
be spent only on activities included in an
easement monitoring and enforcement plan
contained within the work plan. Money
received for monitoring and enforcement,
including earnings on the money received,
shall be kept in a monitoring and enforcement
fund held by the organization and dedicated
to monitoring and enforcing conservation
easements within Minnesota. Within 120
days after the close of the entity's fiscal
year, an entity receiving appropriations
for easement monitoring and enforcement
must provide an annual financial report
to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources or its successor on the
easement monitoring and enforcement fund
as specified in the work plan.

Money appropriated under this section for
monitoring and enforcement of easements
and earnings on the money appropriated
shall revert to the state if: (1) the easement
transfers to the state; (2) the holder of the
easement fails to file an annual report and
then fails to cure that default within 30 days
of notification of the default by the state;
or (3) the holder of the easement fails to
comply with the terms of the monitoring and
enforcement plan contained within the work
plan and fails to cure that default within 90
days of notification of the default by the state.

Subd. 19. Carryforward

(a) The availability of the appropriations for
the following projects are extended to June
30, 2015:

(1) Laws 2011, First Special Session
chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision
3, paragraph (j), Information System for
Wildlife and Aquatic Management Areas;

(2) Laws 2011, First Special Session
chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision 4,
paragraph (b), State Parks and Trails Land
Acquisition;

(3) Laws 2011, First Special Session
chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision
4, paragraph (i), Metropolitan Conservation
Corridors (MeCC) - Phase VI; and

(4) Laws 2011, First Special Session
chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision 6,
paragraph (c), Evaluation of Switchgrass as
Biofuel Crop.

(b) The availability of the appropriations for
the following project is extended to June
30, 2017: Laws 2013, chapter 52, section
2, subdivision 6, paragraph (g), Controlling
Terrestrial Invasive Plants with Grazing
Animals.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 116P.17, is amended to read:

116P.17 ACQUISITION OF LANDS OR INTEREST IN LANDS;
COMMISSIONER APPROVAL.

Subdivision 1.

Commissioner approval.

(a) A recipient of an appropriation from
the trust fund who acquires an interest in real property must receive written approval from
the commissioner of natural resources prior to the acquisition, if the interest is acquired
in whole or in part with the appropriation. A recipient must request the commissioner's
approval at least ten business days before the proposed acquisition. When a recipient
requests approval under this subdivision, the recipient must simultaneously submit the
same information to the commission. Conservation easements to be held by the Board of
Water and Soil Resources and acquisitions specifically identified in appropriation laws are
not subject to commissioner approval under this section.

(b) The commissioner shall approve acquisitions under this section only when the
interest in real property:

(1) is identified as a high priority by the commissioner and meets the objectives and
criteria identified in the applicable acquisition plan for the intended management status
of the property; or

(2) is otherwise identified by the commissioner as a priority for state financing.

Subd. 2.

Value assessment.

At least ten business days prior to acquiring an interest
in real property with an appropriation from the trust fund, a recipient of an appropriation
must submit the most recent tax assessed value and most recent tax statement of the real
property and the amount the recipient plans to offer for the interest in real property to the
commission and the commissioner of natural resources. Conservation easements to be
held by the Board of Water and Soil Resources are not subject to the requirements of this
section. The board shall keep a record of the tax assessed value of the real property at
the time of acquisition and the most recent tax statement.

Sec. 4. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116P.05, subdivision 3, is repealed.