SF 1769

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 07/03/2019 02:49pm

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; APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $260,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of natural resources to operate the Hill-Annex Mine State Park in fiscal years 2020 to 2023.
In fiscal years 2020 to 2023, the commissioner must operate the park to at least the level of
service and hours of operation as in fiscal year 2019, including care and maintenance of
park facilities consistent with the purposes for which the park was originally established.
This is a onetime appropriation specific to this park, is in addition to funds budgeted by or
otherwise available to the commissioner for this park, and is available until June 30, 2023.
new text end

new text begin (b) Revenue generated by the Hill-Annex Mine State Park through park tours, shop
sales, or any other activities at the park must be credited for the park to supplement the
amount appropriated in paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner of natural resources must work with the city of Calumet and other
neighboring cities, townships, and 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 (d) $150,000 in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of natural resources for a grant to Itasca County for the expenses of a park advisory group
comprised of representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, the Department
of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, the city of Calumet, Itasca County, and the
Western Mesabi Mine Planning Board. The park advisory group must meet at least four
times each fiscal year 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 park advisory
group deems necessary and appropriate to 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, 2023.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner of natural resources must prepare information to assist the park
advisory group in studying alternatives for the long-term viability of the park, including
information on the long-term status of buildings and equipment and security for 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 (f) Beginning July 1, 2019, while operating the park as required under paragraph (a),
the commissioner of natural resources must no longer allocate costs for fleet, facilities,
professional services, or lease payments 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 (g) The commissioner of natural resources and park advisory 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