HF 676

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 01/23/2023 03:32pm

A bill for an act
relating to legacy; appropriating money from outdoor heritage fund; modifying
requirements for reporting revenue generated by recipients of fund appropriations;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.056, subdivision 22.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin 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 outdoor heritage
fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The "first year" is fiscal year 2024. The
"second year" is fiscal year 2025. The "biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The
appropriations in this act are onetime appropriations.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2024 new text end		new text begin 2025 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 167,071,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 655,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is from the outdoor heritage
fund. The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Prairies new text end

new text begin 31,058,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Program, Phase XIII new text end

new text begin $3,752,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy to
acquire land in fee and restore and enhance
native prairie, grasslands, wetlands, and
savanna. Subject to the evaluation criteria in
Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquiring lands that are
eligible for the native prairie bank under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands
adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual
income statements and balance sheets for
income and expenses from land acquired with
this appropriation must be submitted to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no
later than 180 days after the close of The
Nature Conservancy's fiscal year. A list of
proposed land acquisitions, restorations, and
enhancements must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan and must be
consistent with the priorities identified in the
Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition, Phase VII new text end

new text begin $2,080,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and restore
and enhance strategic prairie grassland,
wetland, and other wildlife habitat in Martin
and Watonwan Counties for wildlife
management area purposes under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, as
follows: $1,613,000 to Fox Lake Conservation
League Inc.; $421,000 to Ducks Unlimited;
and $46,000 to The Conservation Fund. A list
of proposed acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (c) RIM Grasslands Reserve, Phase V new text end

new text begin $2,673,000 the first year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance grassland habitat under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to
103F.531. Of this amount, up to $46,000 is
for establishing a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan
and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (d) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley, Phase IX new text end

new text begin $4,282,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever, in
cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie
Chicken Society, to acquire land in fee and
restore and enhance lands in the southern Red
River Valley for wildlife management
purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and
managed as waterfowl production areas in
Minnesota, in cooperation with the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to
the evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules,
part 6136.0900, priority must be given to
acquiring lands that are eligible for the native
prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section
84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native
prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (e) Working Lands for Habitat new text end

new text begin $2,636,000 the first year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements that allow
long-term grazing while also protecting
wildlife habitat and water quality under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to
103F.531. Grazing plans must be developed
before grazing is allowed. Of this amount, up
to $46,000 is for establishing a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of permanent conservation easements must
be provided as part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (f) Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program, Phase XV new text end

new text begin $5,075,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
in fee and restore and enhance lands for
wildlife management area purposes under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8. Subject to the evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquiring lands that are
eligible for the native prairie bank under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands
adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of
proposed land acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (g) Accelerating the USFWS Habitat Conservation Easement Program, Phase IV new text end

new text begin $4,940,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to restore and enhance wetland
and prairie habitat on habitat easements of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service as
follows: $3,300,000 to Ducks Unlimited and
$1,640,000 to Pheasants Forever. A list of
proposed land restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (h) DNR Grassland Enhancement, Phase XV new text end

new text begin $2,922,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
accelerate the restoration and enhancement of
prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife
management areas, in scientific and natural
areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands
in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on
state forest land in southeastern Minnesota,
and in waterfowl production areas and refuge
lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service. A list of proposed land restorations
and enhancements must be provided as part
of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (i) Enhanced Public Land - Grasslands, Phase VI new text end

new text begin $2,698,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance
and restore grassland and wetland habitat on
public lands. A list of proposed land
restorations and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Forests new text end

new text begin 6,393,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Hardwood Hills Habitat Conservation Program new text end

new text begin $1,843,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire permanent conservation
easements and restore and enhance forest
habitats in the hardwood hills ecological
section of west-central Minnesota as follows:
$175,000 to St. John's University and
$1,668,000 to Minnesota Land Trust.
$168,000 of the amount to Minnesota Land
Trust is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of proposed permanent conservation
easements, restorations, and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape Protection Program ACUB, Phase XI new text end

new text begin $2,076,000 the first year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with
the Morrison County Soil and Water
Conservation District, to acquire permanent
conservation easements and restore and
enhance forest wildlife habitat within the
boundaries of the Minnesota National Guard
Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape and Army
Compatible Use Buffer. Up to $111,000 to the
Board of Water and Soil Resources is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund
as approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (c) Protecting and Enhancing Public Land Forest Habitats by Strategically Acquiring Private Land Inholdings new text end

new text begin $1,018,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Ruffed Grouse Society to
protect and enhance forest habitats by
strategically acquiring private forest land
inholdings to provide better public forest
management, reduce fragmentation, and
provide public access. A list of proposed
acquisitions and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (d) DNR Forest Habitat Enhancement, Phase III new text end

new text begin $1,456,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance forest wildlife habitats on public
lands throughout Minnesota. A list of
proposed land restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Wetlands new text end

new text begin 32,569,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) RIM Wetlands - Restoring the Most Productive Habitat in Minnesota, Phase XII new text end

new text begin $4,011,000 the first year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and to
restore wetlands and native grassland habitat
under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515.
Of this amount, up to $72,000 is for
establishing a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan
and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (b) Shallow Lake and Wetland Protection and Restoration Program, Phase XII new text end

new text begin $6,871,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire
land in fee for wildlife management purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8, and to restore and enhance
prairie lands, wetlands, and land that buffers
shallow lakes. A list of proposed acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (c) Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program, Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $2,931,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements
and restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and
other habitat on permanently protected
conservation easements in high-priority
wetland habitat complexes in the prairie,
forest/prairie transition, and forest regions. Of
this amount, up to $168,000 is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of proposed
conservation easement acquisitions and
restorations and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (d) Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Acquisition Program, Phase XIV new text end

new text begin $5,090,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever, in
cooperation with the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee and
restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands
to be designated and managed as waterfowl
production areas in Minnesota. A list of
proposed land acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (e) Wetland Enhancement in the Big Woods new text end

new text begin $603,000 the first year is to the commissioner
of natural resources for an agreement with
Scott-Le Sueur Waterfowlers to restore and
enhance wetlands in Scott and Rice Counties.
A list of proposed restorations and
enhancements must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (f) Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement and Restoration Initiative, Phase IX new text end

new text begin $6,455,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore
and enhance shallow lakes, wetlands, and
grasslands on public lands and wetlands and
grasslands under permanent conservation
easement for wildlife management. A list of
proposed shallow-lake enhancements and
wetland restorations must be provided as part
of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (g) Voyageurs National Park Wetland Restoration Project, Phase III new text end

new text begin $1,122,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the National Park Service to
restore and enhance wetland and lacustrine
habitat in Voyageurs National Park. A list of
proposed restorations and enhancements must
be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (h) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement, Phase XV new text end

new text begin $3,596,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to enhance
and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat
statewide. A list of proposed shallow lake and
wetland restorations and enhancements must
be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (i) Bone Lake South Wetland Acquisition new text end

new text begin $1,890,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake
Watershed District to acquire in fee and restore
and enhance lands for wildlife and water
quality purposes in the Bone Lake watershed.
A list of proposed acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Habitats new text end

new text begin 95,220,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Hennepin County Habitat Conservation Program, Phase III new text end

new text begin $4,524,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire permanent conservation
easements and to restore and enhance wildlife
habitat in Hennepin County as follows:
$1,687,000 to Hennepin County and
$2,837,000 to Minnesota Land Trust.
$192,000 of the amount to Minnesota Land
Trust is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of proposed permanent conservation
easements, restorations, and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation, Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $3,181,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire permanent conservation
easements and to restore and enhance wildlife
habitat on public lands and easements in the
Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting
minor watersheds as follows: $768,000 to the
Anoka Conservation District; $804,000 to
Great River Greening; $168,000 to the
National Wild Turkey Federation; $268,000
to Sherburne County; and $1,173,000 to
Minnesota Land Trust. $144,000 of the
amount to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement fund as
approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed
permanent conservation easements,
restorations, and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (c) Accelerating Habitat Conservation in Southwest Minnesota, Phase II new text end

new text begin $2,988,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements
and to restore and enhance high-quality
wildlife habitat in southwest Minnesota. Of
this amount, up to $168,000 is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of proposed
conservation easement acquisitions,
restorations, and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (d) Buffalo-Red River Watershed District Stream Habitat Program, Phase III new text end

new text begin $3,647,000 the first year is to acquire
permanent conservation easements and restore
and enhance aquatic and upland habitat
associated with the Red River and Buffalo
River watersheds. Of this amount, $2,149,000
is to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Buffalo-Red River
Watershed District and $1,498,000 is to the
Board of Water and Soil Resources. $102,000
of the amount to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources is for establishing a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of proposed acquisitions and restorations
must be included as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (e) Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration, Phase XI new text end

new text begin $3,576,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire lands in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public
lands and permanent conservation easements
in southeast Minnesota as follows: $1,278,000
to The Nature Conservancy; $909,000 to Trust
for Public Land; and $1,389,000 to Minnesota
Land Trust. $168,000 of the amount to
Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of proposed land
acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (f) Protecting Minnesota's Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance, Phase II new text end

new text begin $3,550,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance lakes of outstanding
biological significance in northeast and
north-central Minnesota. Of this amount,
$1,409,000 is to Northern Waters Land Trust
and $2,141,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust.
$192,000 of the amount to Minnesota Land
Trust is for establishing a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of proposed acquisitions must be included
as part of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (g) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North-Central Minnesota Lakes, Phase IX new text end

new text begin $3,619,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and in
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat to sustain
healthy fish habitat on coldwater lakes in
Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard
Counties as follows: $1,777,000 to Northern
Waters Land Trust and $1,842,000 to
Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to
Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (h) DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition, Phase XV new text end

new text begin $2,277,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
in fee and restore and enhance lands for
wildlife management purposes under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for
scientific and natural area purposes under
Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 5. Subject to the evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquiring lands that are
eligible for the native prairie bank under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands
adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of
proposed land acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (i) DNR Trout Stream Conservation Easements, Phase III new text end

new text begin $1,015,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
land in permanent conservation easements to
protect trout-stream aquatic habitat. Of this
amount, up to $108,000 is for establishing a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved
in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (j) Metro Big Rivers, Phase XIII new text end

new text begin $14,925,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance natural habitat systems
associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
and St. Croix Rivers and their tributaries in
the metropolitan area as follows: $600,000 to
Minnesota Valley Trust; $435,000 to Friends
of the Mississippi River; $825,000 to Great
River Greening; $11,172,000 to Trust for
Public Land; and $1,893,000 to Minnesota
Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota
Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of proposed land acquisitions and
permanent conservation easements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (k) St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase IV new text end

new text begin $12,947,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance natural habitat systems in
the St. Croix River watershed as follows:
$11,171,000 to Trust for Public Land;
$105,000 to Wild Rivers Conservancy; and
$1,671,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to
$144,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund
as approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed
land acquisitions and permanent conservation
easements must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (l) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program, Phase XII new text end

new text begin $2,139,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Shell Rock River
Watershed District to acquire land in fee and
to restore and enhance habitat in the Shell
Rock River watershed. A list of proposed
acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (m) Integrating Habitat and Clean Water, Phase II new text end

new text begin $3,181,000 the first year is to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and restore
and enhance wildlife habitat identified in One
Watershed, One Plan for stacked benefit to
wildlife and clean water. Up to $85,000 of the
amount is for establishing a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A
list of permanent conservation easements must
be provided as part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (n) Cannon River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Protection Program, Phase XII new text end

new text begin $2,901,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire lands in fee and restore
and enhance wildlife habitat in the Cannon
River watershed as follows: $119,000 to Clean
River Partners; $914,000 to Great River
Greening; and $1,868,000 to Trust for Public
Land. A list of proposed land acquisitions,
restorations, and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (o) Enhance Metro and North Shore Trout Stream Habitats, Phase II new text end

new text begin $1,645,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
to restore and enhance habitat for trout and
other species in and along coldwater rivers,
lakes, and streams in the metro and southeast
regions of Minnesota. A list of proposed
restorations and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (p) Lake Nokomis Shoreline Enhancements for Turtles and Pollinators, Phase II new text end

new text begin $735,000 the first year is to the commissioner
of natural resources for an agreement with the
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to
enhance shoreline and upland habitat on Lake
Nokomis. A list of proposed enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (q) Upper Sioux Community Habitat Restoration new text end

new text begin $940,000 the first year is to the commissioner
of natural resources for an agreement with the
Upper Sioux Community to restore and
enhance oak savanna, forest, prairie, and other
wildlife habitats on Tribal lands. A list of
proposed restorations and enhancements must
be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (r) Rum River Corridor Fish and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement, Phase II new text end

new text begin $1,654,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Anoka County Soil and
Water Conservation District to restore and
enhance upland and riverine habitat in the
Rum River corridor. A list of proposed
enhancements and restorations must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (s) Restoring and Enhancing Minnesota's Important Bird Areas in the St. Croix River Valley new text end

new text begin $1,007,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Audubon Minnesota to restore
and enhance wildlife habitat in important bird
areas and other priority wildlife areas in the
St. Croix River Valley. A list of proposed
restorations and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (t) DNR St. Louis River Restoration Initiative, Phase X new text end

new text begin $2,526,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance priority aquatic, riparian, and
forest habitats in the St. Louis River estuary.
Of this amount, up to $136,000 is for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust. A list
of proposed restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (u) DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase XI new text end

new text begin $4,011,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded
streams and aquatic management areas and to
facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land
restorations and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (v) DNR Roving Crew, Phase II new text end

new text begin $8,732,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance fish and wildlife habitat on
permanently protected lands throughout
Minnesota using the roving crew program of
the Department of Natural Resources. A list
of restoration and enhancement projects must
be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (w) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat, Phase XV new text end

new text begin $9,500,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a
program to provide competitive matching
grants of up to $500,000 to local, regional,
state, and national organizations for enhancing,
restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands,
prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife
in Minnesota. Of this amount, at least
$2,500,000 is for grants in the seven-county
metropolitan area and cities with a population
of 50,000 or greater. Grants must not be made
for activities required to fulfill the duties of
owners of lands subject to conservation
easements. Grants must not be made from the
appropriation in this paragraph for projects
that have a total project cost exceeding
$1,000,000. Of the total appropriation,
$450,000 may be spent for personnel costs
and other direct and necessary administrative
costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests
in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants
may not be used to establish easement
stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee
must be open to hunting and fishing during
the open season unless otherwise provided by
law. The program must require a match of at
least ten percent from nonstate sources for all
grants. The match may be cash or in-kind
resources. For grant applications of $25,000
or less, the commissioner must provide a
separate, simplified application process.
Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the
commissioner of natural resources must, when
evaluating projects of equal value, give
priority to organizations that have a history of
receiving, or a charter to receive, private
contributions for local conservation or habitat
projects. For grant requests to acquire land in
fee or a conservation easement, the
commissioner must give priority to projects
associated with or within one mile of existing
wildlife management areas under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8;
scientific and natural areas under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05,
subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05,
subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or
enhancement projects must be on land
permanently protected by a permanent
covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and
protection of restored and enhanced habitat,
by a conservation easement, or by public
ownership or in public waters as defined in
Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005,
subdivision 15. Priority must be given to
restoration and enhancement projects on public
lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded
under this paragraph. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2026. No less than five
percent of the amount of each grant must be
held back from reimbursement until the grant
recipient has completed a grant
accomplishment report by the deadline and in
the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The
commissioner must provide notice of the grant
program in the summary of game and fish law
prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.051, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Administration new text end

new text begin 1,831,000 new text end

new text begin 655,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Contract Management new text end

new text begin $336,000 the first year is to the commissioner
of natural resources for contract management
duties assigned in this section. The
commissioner must provide an
accomplishment plan in the form specified by
the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
on expending this appropriation. The
accomplishment plan must include a copy of
the grant contract template and reimbursement
manual. No money may be expended before
the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
approves the accomplishment plan. Money
appropriated in this paragraph is available until
June 30, 2025.
new text end

new text begin (b) Legislative Coordinating Commission new text end

new text begin $634,000 the first year and $651,000 the
second year are to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for administrative
expenses of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council and for compensating and
reimbursing expenses of council members.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2025. Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281,
applies to this appropriation.
new text end

new text begin (c) Technical Evaluation Panel new text end

new text begin $190,000 the first year is to the commissioner
of natural resources for a technical evaluation
panel to conduct up to 25 restoration and
enhancement evaluations under Minnesota
Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.
new text end

new text begin (d) Core Functions in Partner-Led OHF Land Acquisitions new text end

new text begin $668,000 the first year is to the commissioner
of natural resources to administer the initial
development, restoration, and enhancement
of fee title acquisitions funded through the
outdoor heritage fund. Money may be used
for land acquisition costs incurred by the
department as part of conveying parcels to the
Department of Natural Resources and for
initial development activities on fee title
acquisitions. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2026.
new text end

new text begin (e) Legacy Website new text end

new text begin $3,000 the first year and $4,000 the second
year are to the Legislative Coordinating
Commission for the website required under
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision
10.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end new text begin Availability of Appropriation new text end

new text begin (a) 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
accomplishment plan approved by the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
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.
Money appropriated to acquire land in fee title
may be used to restore, enhance, and provide
for public use of the land acquired with the
appropriation. Public-use facilities must have
a minimal impact on habitat in acquired lands.
new text end

new text begin (b) Money appropriated in this section is
available as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) money appropriated to acquire real
property is available until June 30, 2027;
new text end

new text begin (2) money appropriated to restore and enhance
land acquired with an appropriation in this act
is available for four years after the acquisition
date with a maximum end date of June 30,
2031;
new text end

new text begin (3) money appropriated to restore and enhance
other land is available until June 30, 2028;
new text end

new text begin (4) notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), money
appropriated for a project that receives at least
15 percent of its funding from federal funds
is available until a date sufficient to match the
availability of federal funding to a maximum
of six years if the federal funding was
confirmed and included in the original
approved draft accomplishment plan; and
new text end

new text begin (5) money appropriated for other projects is
available until the end of the fiscal year in
which it is appropriated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures new text end

new text begin All agreements 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 directly related to each
appropriation's purpose made on or after July
1, 2023, or the date of accomplishment plan
approval, whichever is later, are eligible for
reimbursement unless otherwise provided in
this section. For purposes of administering
appropriations and legislatively authorized
agreements paid out of the outdoor heritage
fund, an expense must be considered
reimbursable by the administering agency
when the recipient presents the agency with
an invoice or binding agreement with the
landowner and the recipient attests that the
goods have been received or the landowner
agreement is binding. Periodic reimbursement
must be made upon receiving documentation
that the items articulated in the
accomplishment plan approved by the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council have
been achieved, including partial achievements
as evidenced by progress reports approved by
the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
Reasonable amounts may be advanced to
projects to accommodate cash-flow needs,
support future management of acquired lands,
or match a federal share. The advances must
be approved as part of the accomplishment
plan. Capital equipment expenditures for
specific items over $10,000 must be itemized
in and approved as part of the accomplishment
plan.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Mapping new text end

new text begin Each direct recipient of money appropriated
in this section, as well as each recipient of a
grant awarded under this section, must provide
geographic information to the Lessard-Sams
Outdoor Heritage Council to map any lands
that are acquired in fee with money
appropriated in this section and open to public
taking of fish and game. The commissioner
of natural resources must include the lands
acquired in fee with money appropriated in
this section on maps showing public recreation
opportunities. Maps must include information
on and acknowledgment of the outdoor
heritage fund, including a notation of any
restrictions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Carryforward new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the appropriation under
Laws 2016, chapter 172, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 5, paragraph (j), Roseau Lake
Rehabilitation, is extended to June 30, 2024.
new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the appropriation under
Laws 2017, chapter 91, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 2, paragraph (g), Reinvest in
Minnesota (RIM) Buffers for Wildlife and
Water - Phase VII, is extended to June 30,
2025.
new text end

new text begin (c) The availability of the appropriation under
Laws 2018, chapter 208, article 1, section 2,
subdivision 5, paragraph (i), Lower
Mississippi River Habitat Partnership - Phase
IV, is extended to June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (d) The availability of the appropriation under
Laws 2018, chapter 208, section 2, subdivision
5, paragraph (n), Buffalo River Watershed
Stream Habitat Program, is extended to June
30, 2025.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.056, subdivision 22, is amended to read:

Subd. 22.

Revenues.

(a) A recipient must disclose to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage
Council and the commissioner all revenues that are received by the recipient before the
availability of the appropriation ends and that are generated from activities on land acquired
in fee title or easement, restored, or enhanced with money from the outdoor heritage fund.
The revenues must be disclosed to the council and commissioner no later than deleted text begin 60 deleted text end new text begin 90 new text end days
after the availability of the appropriation ends.

(b) For all revenues disclosed under paragraph (a), a recipient must:

(1) use the revenues to protect, restore, or enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, or habitat
for fish, game, or wildlife according to the appropriation purposes and the approved
accomplishment plan;

(2) use the revenues for other purposes as approved in the accomplishment plan by the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council; or

(3) transfer the revenues to the outdoor heritage fund no later than deleted text begin 60 deleted text end new text begin 90 new text end days after the
availability of the appropriation ends, unless otherwise approved by the council.

(c) Paragraph (b), clause (3), does not apply to the state and its departments and agencies.