HF 3728

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/22/2010 09:48am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; creating a native perennials establishment program;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [103C.55] MINNESOTA NATIVE PERENNIALS ESTABLISHMENT
COST-SHARE PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Cost-share authorization. new text end

new text begin The state board may allocate available
funds to districts to share the cost of native perennial establishment under the process and
policies developed for cost-share contracts in section 103C.501.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible land. new text end

new text begin Eligible land under this section must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be owned by the landowner, or a parent or other blood relative of the landowner,
for at least one year before the date of application;
new text end

new text begin (2) be at least five acres in size, but no greater than 80 acres in size;
new text end

new text begin (3) have been in agricultural use, as defined in section 17.81, subdivision 4, or have
been set aside, enrolled, or diverted under another federal or state program for at least four
of the last six years before the date of application;
new text end

new text begin (4) be in an area identified as a local water quality priority in a local water plan
under chapter 103B or a district plan under this chapter; and
new text end

new text begin (5) be within 50 miles of a bioenergy or bioindustrial feedstock market.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Landowner agreements. new text end

new text begin A landowner receiving cost-share payments
under this section must agree to:
new text end

new text begin (1) keep a complete set of records of activities on the land that is subject to the
cost-share contract;
new text end

new text begin (2) follow the state board's native vegetation establishment and enhancement
guidelines;
new text end

new text begin (3) plant only seed from a source verified by the district, with a goal of at least 25
species that may include annuals and biennials and must include grasses, legumes, and
forbs;
new text end

new text begin (4) follow an operation and maintenance plan that has been approved by the district;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) maintain the native perennials for at least 15 years.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligible costs. new text end

new text begin A cost-share grant under this section shall be for up to 75
percent of the cost of site preparation, seeding, and related establishment costs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Practices allowed. new text end

new text begin For 15 years after receiving cost-share payments under
this section, the landowner must agree to:
new text end

new text begin (1) haying, native seed propagation, or bioenergy or bioindustrial feedstock
production as provided in the operation and maintenance plan;
new text end

new text begin (2) follow United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation
Service, guidelines on harvesting for grass-based agriculture for biomass or forage
production and wildlife habitat; and
new text end

new text begin (3) fertilize the soils only to the amount estimated to be removed by the crop.
new text end