HF 4243

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/26/2018 02:43pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing management requirements for Hill-Annex
Mine State Park; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin HILL-ANNEX MINE STATE PARK; MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATION; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $75,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of natural resources to operate the Hill-Annex Mine State Park in fiscal years 2020 and
2021. In fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the commissioner must operate the park to at least the
level of service and hours of operation as in fiscal year 2016, including care and maintenance
of park facilities consistent with the purposes for which the park was originally established.
This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2021.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of natural resources must work with the city of Calumet and other
neighboring cities, townships, and other local units of government to identify and coordinate
volunteers to supplement the Department of Natural Resources' park operations to the extent
allowable under state law and rules.
new text end

new text begin (c) $150,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of natural resources for a grant to Itasca County for the expenses of a work group comprised
of representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Iron Range
Resources and Rehabilitation, city of Calumet, Itasca County, and the Western Mesabi Mine
Planning Board. The work group must meet at least once every other month to:
new text end

new text begin (1) exchange information, review park activities, and identify portions of the alternate
operating model developed under Laws 2017, chapter 93, article 2, section 156, that can be
improved; and
new text end

new text begin (2) identify options for sustainable and viable operation of the park site, including
planning, performing and implementing studies, hiring consultants, developing a concept
plan, conducting a feasibility study, identifying possible alternative park management
options, continuing local partnership development, and other activities the work group
deems necessary and appropriate to move the park toward the objectives established in the
alternate operating model or otherwise move the park toward a more viable, sustainable
future.
new text end

new text begin This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2021.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner of natural resources must prepare information to assist the work
group study alternatives for the long-term viability of the park including, information on
the long-term status of buildings and equipment and security of these resources, identifying
public safety concerns associated with continued public access to the Hill Annex mine lands,
identifying and developing means to address possible concerns and issues related to the site
having been an operating mine, and identifying and reporting various options for cultural
and historic artifacts and properties.
new text end

new text begin (e) Beginning July 1, 2018, while operating the park as required under paragraph (a),
the commissioner of natural resources must no longer allocate fleet, facilities, professional
services or lease payment costs to the Hill-Annex Mine State Park under Minnesota Statutes,
sections 16A.127; 84.025, subdivision 9; 84.0856; and 84.0857.
new text end

new text begin (f) The commissioner and work group must recognize and prioritize the long-term use
of the Hill-Annex Mine State Park property for mining purposes while park operation and
maintenance continue for state park purposes until active mining is ready to resume on the
property.
new text end