HF 3595

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/24/2020 04:26pm

A bill for an act
relating to waters; establishing Minnesota River basin water quality and storage
program; 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.

[103F.05] MINNESOTA RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY AND
STORAGE PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For the purposes of this section:

(1) "board" means the Board of Water and Soil Resources; and

(2) "local units of government" has the meaning given under section 103B.305,
subdivision 5.

Subd. 2.

Establishment.

The board must establish a program to provide financial
assistance to local units of government located in the Minnesota River basin to control water
volume and rates for the purpose of protecting infrastructure and improving water quality
and related public benefits.

Subd. 3.

Financial assistance.

(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. Costs
may include site acquisition, design, engineering, and construction. The board may acquire
conservation easements under sections 103F.501 to 103F.531 as necessary to implement a
project or practice under this section.

(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 financing arrangements for construction and assurances for
maintenance of any structures after completion.

Subd. 4.

Local match.

The board must require a local match and may adjust match
requirements if federal funds are available for the project.

Subd. 5.

Technical assistance.

(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.

(b) When implementing the program, the board must:

(1) assist local units of government in achieving the purposes of the program;

(2) review and analyze projects and project sites; and

(3) evaluate the effectiveness of completed projects constructed under the program.

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

Subd. 6.

Requirements.

(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 maintenance of any
structures or practices upon completion of the project.

(b) A local unit of government, with the assistance of the board, must evaluate the
environmental and other benefits that are reasonably expected upon completion of the
proposed project. The evaluation must be submitted to the board before the final design.

Subd. 7.

Interstate cooperation.

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

Subd. 8.

Federal aid availability.

The board must regularly complete an analysis of the
availability of federal funds and programs to supplement or complement state and local
efforts consistent with the purposes of this section.

Subd. 9.

Report.

By January 15, 2023, and every two years thereafter, the board must
evaluate the effectiveness of the program under this section and submit a report with the
results and recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of
representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and
natural resources.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Water
and Soil Resources for the Minnesota River basin water quality and storage program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.05. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2023.