SF 2527

2nd Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 09/28/2016 09:16am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; appropriating money from outdoor heritage fund
and clean water fund; modifying Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
provisions; modifying legacy funds provisions; modifying prior appropriations;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivisions 2, 10;
Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, sections 85.53, subdivision 2; 129D.17,
subdivision 2; Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, sections 3; 5;
7, as amended; Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, sections 3; 5; 6, as amended; 7;
8; Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivisions 2,
3, 5; article 2, sections 3; 5; 7; article 4, section 2, subdivision 3.

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

ARTICLE 1

OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND

Section 1. new text begin OUTDOOR HERITAGE APPROPRIATION. 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 article. The appropriations are from the
outdoor heritage fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2016"
and "2017" used in this act mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, or June 30, 2017, respectively. "The first year" is
fiscal year 2016. "The second year" is fiscal year 2017. "The biennium" is fiscal years
2016 and 2017. The appropriations in this act are onetime.
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 2016 new text end		new text begin 2017 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 -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 109,847,000 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 -0- new text end

new text begin 31,000,000 new text end

new text begin (a) DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition - Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $3,250,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
land in fee 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 evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquisition of 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 (b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $5,229,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Pheasants Forever to
acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife
management area purposes under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8.
Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota
Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be
given to acquisition of 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 (c) Martin County/Fox Lake Wildlife Management Area Acquisition new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Fox Lake Conservation
League, Inc. to acquire land in fee and restore
strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other
wildlife habitat for wildlife management area
purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (d) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase VII new text end

new text begin $2,754,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy
in cooperation with the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee
or permanent conservation easements and
restore lands within the Northern Tallgrass
Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western
Minnesota for addition to the Northern
Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.
Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota
Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be
given to acquisition of 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 and
must be consistent with the priorities in the
Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.
new text end

new text begin (e) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex - Phase VI new text end

new text begin $583,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Trust for Public Land
to acquire land in fee and restore lands in
the Cannon River watershed for wildlife
management purposes under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8.
Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota
Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be
given to acquisition of 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 (f) Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection - Phase V new text end

new text begin $2,541,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources
to implement the Minnesota Prairie
Conservation Plan through the acquisition of
permanent conservation easements to protect
and restore native prairie. Of this amount, up
to $120,000 is for establishing monitoring
and enforcement funds as approved in
the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquisition of 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
permanent conservation easements must be
provided as part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (g) Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) Buffers for Wildlife and Water - Phase VI new text end

new text begin $6,708,000 the second year is to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements and
restore habitat under Minnesota Statutes,
section 103F.515, to protect, restore, and
enhance habitat by expanding the clean
water fund riparian buffer program for at
least equal wildlife benefits from buffers on
private land. Of this amount, up to $130,000
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 permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (h) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley - Phase II new text end

new text begin $2,269,000 the second 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 for designation
and management as waterfowl production
areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota
Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be
given to acquisition of 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) Grassland Conservation Partnership - Phase II new text end

new text begin $1,475,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Conservation Fund, in
cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust, to
acquire permanent conservation easements
and restore high priority grassland, prairie,
and wetland habitats as follows: $64,000
to The Conservation Fund; and $1,411,000
to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to
$100,000 is for establishing a monitoring
and enforcement fund, as approved in
the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquisition of 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 acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required accomplishment plan and
must be consistent with the priorities in the
Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.
new text end

new text begin (j) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $3,983,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
accelerate restoration and enhancement
of prairies, grasslands, and savannas on
wildlife management areas, scientific and
natural areas, native prairie bank land,
and bluff prairies on state forest land in
southeastern 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 (k) Anoka Sandplain Habitat Restoration and Enhancement - Phase IV new text end

new text begin $1,208,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to restore and enhance wildlife
habitat on public lands in Anoka, Isanti,
Morrison, Sherburne, and Todd Counties as
follows: $93,000 to Anoka Conservation
District; $25,000 to Isanti County Parks
and Recreation Department; $813,000 to
Great River Greening; and $277,000 to the
National Wild Turkey Federation. 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 -0- new text end

new text begin 18,379,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Young Forest Conservation - Phase II new text end

new text begin $1,369,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the American Bird
Conservancy to restore publicly owned,
permanently protected forest lands for
wildlife management purposes. A list
of proposed forest land restorations
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Jack Pine Forest/Crow Wing River Watershed Habitat Acquisition new text end

new text begin $3,570,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters
Association to acquire in fee and restore
and enhance forest habitat lands in Cass
and Hubbard Counties for county forest
purposes. A list of proposed land acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (c) Camp Ripley Partnership - Phase VI new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 the second 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 forest
wildlife habitat within the boundaries
of the Minnesota National Guard Camp
Ripley Compatible Use Buffer. Of this
amount, up to $72,000 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 permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (d) Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration - Phase IV new text end

new text begin $5,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in
cooperation with The Trust for Public Land
and Minnesota Land Trust, to acquire land
in fee for wildlife management purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8, to acquire land in fee for
scientific and natural areas under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision
5, to acquire land in fee for state forest
purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 7, to acquire permanent
conservation easements, and to restore
and enhance prairie, grasslands, forest,
and savanna as follows: $1,506,000 to
The Nature Conservancy; $2,930,000 to
The Trust for Public Land; and $564,000
to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to
$80,000 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. Annual income
statements and balance sheets for income
and expenses from land acquired in fee with
this appropriation and not transferred to
state or local government ownership must
be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council. A list of proposed land
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (e) Minnesota Forests for the Future - Phase IV new text end

new text begin $1,840,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
acquire forest, wetland, and shoreline
habitat through working forest permanent
conservation easements under the Minnesota
forests for the future program pursuant
to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66.
A conservation easement acquired with
money appropriated under this paragraph
must comply with Minnesota Statutes,
section 97A.056, subdivision 13. The
accomplishment plan must include an
easement monitoring and enforcement
plan. Of this amount, up to $25,000 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 permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (f) Protect Key Forest Lands in Cass County - Phase VII new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Cass County to acquire land
in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife
habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation.
A list of proposed land acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (g) State Forest Acquisitions - Phase III new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
lands in fee for wildlife habitat purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 7. A list of proposed land
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (h) Forest Habitat Protection Revolving Account new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
lands in fee and permanent conservation
easements for wildlife habitat purposes,
for forest consolidation and connective
corridor purposes, or to prevent forest
fragmentation under Minnesota Statutes,
section 86A.05, subdivision 7. Proceeds
from any subsequent sale of lands acquired
with this appropriation must be used for the
purposes of this appropriation. Any sale
proceeds remaining unused upon close of the
appropriation availability must be returned to
the outdoor heritage fund. A list of proposed
land acquisitions must be provided as part of
the required accomplishment plan. Unless
otherwise provided, this appropriation is
available until June 30, 2022. For acquisition
of real property, this appropriation is
available until June 30, 2023, if a binding
agreement with a landowner or purchase
agreement is entered into by June 30,
2022, and closed no later than June 30,
2023. Of this amount, up to $50,000 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 permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (i) Mississippi River Floodplain Forest Enhancement - Phase II new text end

new text begin $412,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the National Audubon
Society to restore and enhance floodplain
forest habitat for wildlife on public
lands along the Mississippi River. A
list of restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (j) Protecting Forest Wildlife Habitat in the Wild Rice River Watershed new text end

new text begin $2,188,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the White Earth Band of
Ojibwe to acquire lands in fee in Clearwater
County to be managed for wildlife habitat
purposes. A list of proposed land acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan. As a condition of
receiving the grant under this paragraph, the
White Earth Band of Ojibwe shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) ensure that current access roads and trails
on the property are maintained and open to
continue the current access to adjoining lands;
new text end

new text begin (2) ensure that the property remains open to
hunting and fishing for individuals of the
public who are not members of a federally
recognized tribe in a manner consistent with
current law; and
new text end

new text begin (3) not transfer fee interest in whole or in part
to the United States either directly or through
an intermediary in trust for the White Earth
Band of Ojibwe.
new text end

new text begin Failure to comply with the provisions of
this paragraph shall trigger the reversion
provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section
97A.056, subdivision 15.
new text end

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

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 31,055,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Acquisition - Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $5,650,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and
grasslands to be designated and managed as
waterfowl production areas in Minnesota,
in cooperation with the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Shallow Lake and Wetland Protection Program - Phase V new text end

new text begin $5,801,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire
in fee and restore prairie lands, wetlands,
and land buffering shallow lakes for wildlife
management purposes under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list
of proposed acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (c) RIM Wetlands Partnership - Phase VII new text end

new text begin $13,808,000 the second year is to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources to acquire lands
in permanent conservation easements and
to restore wetlands and native grassland
habitat under Minnesota Statutes, section
103F.515. Of this amount, up to $195,000 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 permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (d) Wetland Habitat Protection Program - Phase II new text end

new text begin $1,629,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements
in high-priority wetland habitat complexes
in the prairie and forest/prairie transition
regions. Of this amount, up to $180,000 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
easement acquisitions must be provided as
part of the final report.
new text end

new text begin (e) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement - Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $2,167,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to enhance
and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat
statewide. A list of proposed land restorations
and enhancements must be provided as part
of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (f) Marsh Lake - Phase II new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to modify
the dam at Marsh Lake for improved habitat
management and to return the historic outlet
of the Pomme de Terre River to Lac Qui Parle.
new text end

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

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 29,138,000 new text end

new text begin (a) DNR Aquatic Habitat Protection - Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $1,578,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
land in fee and permanent conservation
easements for aquatic management purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05,
subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to acquire
permanent conservation easements under
the Minnesota forests for the future
program pursuant to Minnesota Statutes,
section 84.66, and to restore and enhance
aquatic and adjacent upland habitat.
Of this amount, up to $153,000 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 land acquisitions, conservation
easements, restorations, and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) Metro Big Rivers Habitat - Phase VII new text end

new text begin $4,000,000 the second 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 systems
associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
and St. Croix Rivers within the metropolitan
area as follows: $500,000 to Minnesota
Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust,
Inc.; $430,000 to Friends of the Mississippi
River; $1,170,000 to Great River Greening;
$800,000 to The Trust for Public Land; and
$1,100,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of
which up to $60,000 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 (c) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Partnership - Phase II new text end

new text begin $2,105,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire lands in fee in the
Mississippi Headwaters and for agreements
as follows: $76,000 to the Mississippi
Headwaters Board; and $2,029,000 to
The Trust for Public Land. $1,045,000
the second year is to the Board of Water
and Soil Resources to acquire permanent
conservation easements and to restore
wildlife habitat, of which up to $78,000 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
acquisitions must be included as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (d) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North Central Minnesota Lakes - Phase II new text end

new text begin $1,425,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements with the Leech Lake Area
Watershed Foundation and Minnesota Land
Trust to acquire land in fee and permanent
conservation easements to sustain healthy
fish habitat on cold water lakes in Aitkin,
Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties
as follows: $480,000 to Leech Lake Area
Watershed Foundation; and $945,000 to
Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to
$180,000 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 must be provided as part of
the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (e) Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration - Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $1,975,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
to restore or enhance habitat for trout and
other species in and along cold water rivers,
lakes, and streams in Minnesota. A list of
proposed restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (f) DNR Stream Habitat new text end

new text begin $2,074,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
and enhance habitat to facilitate fish passage,
degraded streams, and critical aquatic species
habitat. A list of proposed land restorations
and enhancements must be provided as part
of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (g) St. Louis River Restoration Initiative - Phase III new text end

new text begin $2,707,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore
aquatic habitats in the St. Louis River
estuary. A list of proposed restorations
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (h) Sand Hill River Fish Passage - Phase II new text end

new text begin $828,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Sand Hill River
Watershed District, in cooperation with
the Department of Natural Resources and
Army Corps of Engineers, to restore and
enhance fish passage and habitat in the Sand
Hill River watershed. A list of proposed
restorations must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (i) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program - Phase V new text end

new text begin $1,200,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Shell Rock River
Watershed District to acquire in fee, restore,
and enhance aquatic 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 (j) Roseau Lake Rehabilitation new text end

new text begin $2,763,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
land in fee and permanent conservation
easements for wildlife management purposes
in Roseau County under Minnesota Statutes,
section 86A.05, subdivision 8, to restore
and enhance wildlife habitat. A list of
proposed land acquisitions and restorations
and enhancements must be provided as part
of the required accomplishment plan.
new text end

new text begin (k) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat - Phase VIII new text end

new text begin $7,438,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a
program to provide competitive, matching
grants of up to $400,000 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, up to
$2,500,000 is for grants in the seven-county
metropolitan area and cities with a population
of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made
for activities required to fulfill the duties
of owners of lands subject to conservation
easements. Grants shall not be made from the
appropriation in this paragraph for projects
that have a total project cost exceeding
$575,000. Of the total appropriation,
$588,000 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 shall
provide a separate, simplified application
process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the
commissioner of natural resources shall,
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. If acquiring land in fee
or a conservation easement, priority must be
given 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, 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, 2020. 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 shall
provide notice of the grant program in
the game and fish law summary 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 -0- new text end

new text begin 275,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Contract Management new text end

new text begin $150,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
contract management duties assigned in this
section. The commissioner shall provide an
accomplishment plan in the form specified by
the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
on the expenditure of this appropriation.
The accomplishment plan must include
a copy of the grant contract template
and reimbursement manual. No money
may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams
Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the
accomplishment plan.
new text end

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

new text begin $125,000 the second year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a
technical evaluation panel to conduct up to
15 restoration and enhancement evaluations
under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
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 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.
Unless otherwise provided, the amounts
in this section are available until June 30,
2019. For acquisition of real property, the
amounts in this section are available until
June 30, 2020, if a binding agreement with a
landowner or purchase agreement is entered
into by June 30, 2019, and closed no later
than June 30, 2020. Funds for restoration
or enhancement are available until June
30, 2021, or five years after acquisition,
whichever is later, in order to complete initial
restoration or enhancement work. If a project
receives at least 15 percent of its funding
from federal funds, the time period of the
appropriation may be extended to equal the
availability of federal funding to a maximum
of six years, provided the federal funding
was confirmed and included in the first draft
accomplishment plan. Money appropriated
for fee title acquisition of land 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 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, 2016, or the date of
accomplishment plan approval, whichever is
later, are eligible for reimbursement unless
otherwise provided in this section. For the
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 in excess of
$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 pursuant to this section,
must provide geographic information to the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
for mapping of any lands acquired in fee
with funds appropriated in this section and
open to public taking of fish and game. The
commissioner of natural resources shall
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 RIM Buffers for Wildlife and Water Restorations new text end

new text begin The following appropriations to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources for the RIM
buffers for wildlife and water program
may be used for restoration of lands
acquired by conservation easement with the
appropriations:
new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2015, First Special Session
chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2,
paragraph (f);
new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2014, chapter 256, article 1, section
2, subdivision 2, paragraph (f);
new text end

new text begin (3) Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 1, section
2, subdivision 2, paragraph (e);
new text end

new text begin (4) Laws 2012, chapter 264, article 1, section
2, subdivision 2, paragraph (a); and
new text end

new text begin (5) Laws 2011, First Special Session
chapter 6, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2,
paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end new text begin Carryforward of Appropriation new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the appropriation in
Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 1, section
2, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), for Habitat
Protection in Dakota County - Phase IV is
extended to June 30, 2017.
new text end

new text begin (b) Paragraph (a) is effective the day
following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

(a) The Lessard-Sams
Outdoor Heritage Council of 12 members is created in the legislative branch, consisting of:

(1) two public members appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of
the Committee on Rules and Administration;

(2) two public members appointed by the speaker of the house;

(3) four public members appointed by the governor;

(4) two members of the senate appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees
of the Committee on Rules and Administration; and

(5) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the
house.

(b) Members appointed under paragraph (a) must not be registered lobbyists. In
making appointments, the governor, senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee
on Rules and Administration, and the speaker of the house shall consider geographic
balance, gender, age, ethnicity, and varying interests including hunting and fishing. The
governor's appointments to the council are subject to the advice and consent of the senate.

(c) Public members appointed under paragraph (a) shall have practical experience
or expertise or demonstrated knowledge in the science, policy, or practice of restoring,
protecting, and enhancing wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and
wildlife.

(d) Legislative members appointed under paragraph (a) shall include the chairs
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources
finance or their designee, one member from the minority party of the senate, and one
member from the minority party of the house of representatives.

(e) Public members serve four-year terms. Appointed legislative members serve
at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Public and legislative members continue to
serve until their successors are appointed. Public members shall be initially appointed
according to the following schedule of terms:

(1) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2011;

(2) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January 2011;

(3) one public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending
the first Monday in January 2011;

(4) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2013;

(5) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January
2013; and

(6) one public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending
the first Monday in January 2013.

(f) Terms, compensation, and removal of public members are as provided in section
15.0575. A vacancy on the council may be filled by the appointing authority for the
remainder of the unexpired term.

(g) deleted text begin The first meeting of the council shall be convened by the chair of the Legislative
Coordinating Commission no later than December 1, 2008. deleted text end Members shall elect a chair,
vice-chair, secretary, and other officers as determined by the council. The chair may
convene meetings as necessary to conduct the duties prescribed by this section.

(h) deleted text begin Upon coordination with deleted text end The Legislative Coordinating Commission deleted text begin , the council deleted text end
may appoint nonpartisan staff and contract with consultants as necessary to deleted text begin carry out deleted text end new text begin
support new text end the functions of the council. new text begin The council has final approval authority for the
hiring of a candidate for executive director. new text end Up to one percent of the money appropriated
from the fund may be used to pay for administrative expenses of the council and for
compensation and expense reimbursement of council members.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Restoration new text begin and enhancements new text end evaluations.

The commissioner of
natural resources and the Board of Water and Soil Resources deleted text begin may deleted text end new text begin must new text end convene a technical
evaluation panel comprised of five members, including one technical representative from
the Board of Water and Soil Resources, one technical representative from the Department of
Natural Resources, one technical expert from the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities, and two representatives with expertise in the project
being evaluated. The board and the commissioner may add a technical representative from
a unit of federal or local government. The members of the technical evaluation panel
may not be associated with the restoration new text begin or enhancement new text end , may vary depending upon
the projects being reviewed, and shall avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Each year,
the board and the commissioner may assign a coordinator to identify deleted text begin a sample of up to
ten deleted text end habitat restoration new text begin or enhancement new text end projects completed with outdoor heritage funding.
The coordinator shall secure the deleted text begin restoration deleted text end plans for the projects specified and direct
the technical evaluation panel to evaluate the restorations new text begin and enhancements new text end relative to
the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the deleted text begin restoration deleted text end new text begin project
new text end plan and, when applicable, to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
establishment and enhancement guidelines. The coordinator shall summarize the findings
of the panel and provide a report to the chair of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage
Council and the chairs of the respective house of representatives and senate policy and
finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and spending from the outdoor
heritage fund. The report shall determine if the restorations new text begin and enhancements new text end are meeting
planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations new text begin and enhancements new text end ,
and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations new text begin and enhancements new text end . The
report shall be focused on improving future restorations new text begin and enhancements new text end . At least
one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from the outdoor heritage fund must be
used for restoration new text begin and enhancements new text end evaluations under this section.

Sec. 5.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2,
is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Prairies

40,948,000

-0-

(a) DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition - Phase VII

$4,570,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
land in fee 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 evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquisition of 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 and permanent conservation
easement acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required accomplishment plan.

(b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - Phase VII

$7,452,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
land in fee for wildlife management area
purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation
criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900,
priority must be given to acquisition of
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.

(c) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project - Phase VI

$4,032,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy
to acquire native prairie, wetlands, and
savanna and restore and enhance grasslands,
wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation
criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900,
priority must be given to acquisition of 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 following
the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal
year. A list of proposed land acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan and must be consistent
with the priorities identified in the Minnesota
Prairie Conservation Plan.

(d) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase deleted text begin V deleted text end new text begin VI new text end

$3,430,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy
in cooperation with the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service to acquire land in
fee or permanent conservation easements
within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat
Preservation Area in western Minnesota
for addition to the Northern Tallgrass
Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject
to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules,
part 6136.0900, priority must be given to
acquisition of 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 and
must be consistent with the priorities in the
Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.

(e) Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection - Phase IV

$3,740,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources
to implement the Minnesota Prairie
Conservation Plan through the acquisition
of permanent conservation easements to
protect native prairie and grasslands. Up
to $165,000 is for establishing monitoring
and enforcement funds as approved in
the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquisition of 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
permanent conservation easements must be
provided as part of the final report.

(f) Minnesota Buffers for Wildlife and Water - Phase V

$4,544,000 in the first year is to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources to acquire
permanent conservation easements to protect
and enhance habitat by expanding the clean
water fund riparian buffer program for at
least equal wildlife benefits from buffers
on private land. Up to $72,500 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.

(g) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex - Phase V

$1,380,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Trust for Public Land to
acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River
watershed for wildlife management purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria
in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority
must be given to acquisition of 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.

(h) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley

$1,800,000 in 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 and restore lands
in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife
management purposes under Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8,
or for designation and management as
waterfowl production areas in Minnesota,
in cooperation with the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.

(i) Protecting and Restoring Minnesota's Important Bird Areas

$1,730,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
agreements to acquire conservation
easements within important bird areas
identified in the Minnesota Prairie
Conservation Plan, to be used as follows:
$408,000 is to Audubon Minnesota and
$1,322,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of
which up to $100,000 is for establishing
monitoring and enforcement funds 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.

(j) Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat Restoration

$2,270,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Wild Rice Watershed
District to acquire land in fee and permanent
conservation easement and to `restore river
and related habitat in the Wild Rice River
corridor. A list of proposed acquisitions and
restorations must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.

(k) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase VII

$4,880,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
accelerate the restoration and enhancement
of prairie communities on wildlife
management areas, scientific and natural
areas, state forest land, and land under
native prairie bank easements. A list of
proposed land restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.

(l) Enhanced Public Land Grasslands - Phase II

$1,120,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance
and restore habitat on public lands. A list of
proposed land restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the final report.

Sec. 6.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 3,
is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Forests

12,634,000

-0-

(a) Camp Ripley Partnership - Phase V

$1,500,000 in 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 within
the boundaries of the Minnesota National
Guard Compatible Use Buffer to protect
forest wildlife habitat. Up to $55,000 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.

(b) Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration - Phase III

$2,910,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with The Nature Conservancy to
acquire land in fee for wildlife management
purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire land
in fee for scientific and natural areas
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 5; for state forest purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 7; and to enhance grasslands,
forest, and savanna. A list of proposed
acquisitions must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.

(c) Protecting Pinelands Sands Aquifer Forestlands - Phase II

$2,180,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
forest lands in Cass new text begin , Hubbard, new text end and Wadena
Counties for wildlife management purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee
for state forests under Minnesota Statutes,
section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of
proposed land acquisitions must be provided
as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(d) Protect Key Forest Lands in Cass County - Phase VI

$442,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Cass County to acquire land
in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife
habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation.
A list of proposed land acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.

(e) Critical Shoreland Protection Program - Phase III

$1,690,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements
along rivers and lakes in the northern
forest region. Up to $220,000 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
proposed permanent conservation easements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.

(f) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Partnership

$3,002,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
acquire lands in fee and for permanent
conservation easements in the Mississippi
Headwaters and for agreements as follows:
$1,217,000 to The Trust for Public Land;
and $824,000 to Minnesota Land Trust,
of which up to $80,000 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 proposed
acquisitions must be included as part of the
required accomplishment plan.

(g) Southeast Forest Habitat Enhancement

$910,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to
enhance forests in southeastern Minnesota.
A list of proposed land enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from July 1, 2015.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5,
is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Habitats

22,368,000

-0-

(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase VII

$4,540,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire
interests in land in fee and permanent
conservation easements for aquatic
management purposes under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14,
and 97C.02, to acquire interests in land in
permanent conservation easements for fish
and wildlife habitat under Minnesota Statutes,
section 84.66, and to restore and enhance
aquatic habitat. Up to $130,000 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
proposed land acquisitions and restorations
and enhancements must be provided as part
of the required accomplishment plan.

(b) Metro Big Rivers - Phase VI

$2,000,000 in 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 natural systems
associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $475,000 to
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Trust, Inc.; $275,000 to Friends of the
Mississippi River; $400,000 to Great River
Greening; $375,000 to Minnesota Land Trust;
and $475,000 to The Trust for Public Land.
Up to $60,000 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 land acquisitions and permanent
conservation easements must be provided as
part of the required accomplishment plan.

(c) Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement and Restoration - Phase VII

$1,890,000 in 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 and streams in Minnesota. A list of
proposed restorations and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.

(d) Lake Bemidji South Shore Restoration and Enhancement

$1,650,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Bemidji to
restore and enhance fish habitat on Lake
Bemidji. A list of proposed restorations and
enhancements must be provided as part of
the required accomplishment plan.

(e) Sand Hill River Fish Passage

$990,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Sand Hill River
Watershed District to restore fish habitat
in the Sand Hill River watershed. A list of
proposed restorations must be provided as
part of the required accomplishment plan.

(f) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program - Phase IV

$2,414,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Shell Rock River
Watershed District to protect, restore,
and enhance aquatic 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.

(g) Lake Nokomis Integrated Habitat Enhancement

$444,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Minneapolis Park and
Recreation Board to enhance aquatic habitat
on Lake Nokomis. A list of proposed
enhancements must be provided as part of
the required accomplishment plan.

(h) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat - Phase VII

$8,440,000 in the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a
program to provide competitive, matching
grants of up to $400,000 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,
$3,692,000 is for grants in the seven-county
metropolitan area and cities with a population
of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made
for activities required to fulfill the duties
of owners of lands subject to conservation
easements. Grants shall not be made from the
appropriation in this paragraph for projects
that have a total project cost exceeding
$575,000. Of this appropriation, $596,000
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 shall
provide a separate, simplified application
process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the
commissioner of natural resources shall,
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. If acquiring land or a
conservation easement, priority must be
given 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, deleted text begin 2018 deleted text end new text begin 2019 new text end . 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 shall provide notice of
the grant program in the game and fish law
summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes,
section 97A.051, subdivision 2.

ARTICLE 2

CLEAN WATER FUND

Section 1.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 3, is amended
to read:

Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

$

7,700,000

$

deleted text begin 7,700,000 deleted text end new text begin 7,110,000 new text end

(a) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are to increase monitoring for
pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface
water and groundwater and to use data
collected to assess pesticide use practices.

(b) $850,000 the first year and $850,000
the second year are to increase monitoring
and evaluate trends in the concentration of
nitrates in groundwater in high-risk areas
and regionally and to promote and evaluate
regional and crop-specific nutrient best
management practices. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2016.

(c) $4,500,000 the first year and $4,500,000
the second year are for the agriculture best
management practices loan program. At
least $3,500,000 the first year and at least
$3,900,000 the second year are for transfer to
the clean water agricultural best management
practices loan account and are available
for pass-through to local governments
and lenders for low-interest loans under
Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117. Any
unencumbered balance that is not used for
pass-through to local governments does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available for the second year.

(d) $775,000 the first year and deleted text begin $775,000 deleted text end new text begin
$675,000 new text end the second year are for research,
pilot projects, and technical assistance on
proper implementation of best management
practices and more precise information on
nonpoint contributions to impaired waters.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2016.

(e) $1,050,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,050,000 deleted text end
new text begin $560,000 new text end the second year are for research
to quantify agricultural contributions to
impaired waters and for development and
evaluation of best management practices to
protect and restore water resources while
maintaining productivity. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2016.

(f) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the
second year are for a research inventory
database containing water-related research
activities. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2016.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 5, is amended to
read:

Sec. 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

$

24,212,000

$

deleted text begin 23,558,000 deleted text end new text begin 23,400,000 new text end

(a) $7,500,000 the first year and deleted text begin $7,500,000 deleted text end
new text begin $7,485,000 new text end the second year are for
completion of 20 percent of the needed
statewide assessments of surface water
quality and trends. Of this amount, $100,000
the first year and $100,000 the second year
are for grants to the Red River Watershed
Management Board to enhance and expand
the existing water quality and watershed
monitoring river watch activities in the
schools in the Red River of the North. The
Red River Watershed Management Board
shall provide a report to the commissioner
of the Pollution Control Agency and the
legislative committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over environment and natural
resources finance and policy and the clean
water fund by February 15, 2013, on the
expenditure of these funds.

(b) $9,400,000 the first year and deleted text begin $9,400,000 deleted text end
new text begin $9,261,000 new text end the second year are to develop
total maximum daily load (TMDL) studies
and TMDL implementation plans for waters
listed on the United States Environmental
Protection Agency approved impaired waters
list in accordance with Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 114D. The agency shall complete an
average of ten percent of the TMDL's each
year over the biennium.

(c) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000
the second year are for groundwater
assessment, including enhancing the
ambient monitoring network, modeling,
and continuing to monitor for and assess
contaminants of emerging concern.

(d) $750,000 the first year and $750,000
the second year are for water quality
improvements in the lower St. Louis River
and Duluth harbor. This appropriation must
be matched at a rate of 65 percent nonstate
money to 35 percent state money.

(e) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for the clean water
partnership program to provide grants
to protect and improve the basins and
watersheds of the state and provide financial
and technical assistance to study waters
with nonpoint source pollution problems.
Priority shall be given to projects preventing
impairments and degradation of lakes, rivers,
streams, and groundwater in accordance
with Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.20,
subdivision 2, clause (4). Any balance
remaining in the first year does not cancel
and is available for the second year.

(f) $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the
second year are for storm water research and
guidance.

(g) $1,150,000 the first year and $1,150,000
the second year are for TMDL research and
database development.

(h) $800,000 the first year and $800,000
the second year are for national pollutant
discharge elimination system wastewater and
storm water TMDL implementation efforts.

(i) $225,000 the first year and $225,000
the second year are transferred to the
commissioner of administration for the
Environmental Quality Board in cooperation
with the United States Geological Survey to
characterize groundwater flow and aquifer
properties in the I-94 corridor in cooperation
with local units of government. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.

(j) $1,000,000 the first year and $500,000
the second year are for a wild rice standards
study.

(k) $862,000 the first year and deleted text begin $708,000 deleted text end
new text begin $704,000 new text end the second year are for groundwater
protection or prevention of groundwater
degradation activities through enhancing the
county-level delivery system for subsurface
sewage treatment systems (SSTS). The
commissioner shall consult with the SSTS
Compliance Task Force in developing a
distribution allocation for the county base
grants.

(l) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.28, the appropriations
encumbered on or before June 30, 2013,
as grants or contracts in this section are
available until June 30, 2016.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7, as amended by
Laws 2012, chapter 264, article 2, section 3, is amended to read:

Sec. 7. BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$

27,534,000

$

deleted text begin 31,734,000 deleted text end new text begin 30,662,000 new text end

(a) $13,750,000 the first year and
deleted text begin $15,350,000 deleted text end new text begin $14,751,000 new text end the second year are
for pollution reduction and restoration grants
to local government units and joint powers
organizations of local government units to
protect surface water and drinking water; to
keep water on the land; to protect, enhance,
and restore water quality in lakes, rivers,
and streams; and to protect groundwater
and drinking water, including feedlot water
quality and subsurface sewage treatment
system (SSTS) projects and stream bank,
stream channel, and shoreline restoration
projects. The projects must be of long-lasting
public benefit, include a match, and be
consistent with TMDL implementation plans
or local water management plans.

(b) $3,000,000 the first year and deleted text begin $3,600,000 deleted text end
new text begin $3,475,000 new text end the second year are for targeted
local resource protection and enhancement
grants. The board shall give priority
consideration to projects and practices
that complement, supplement, or exceed
current state standards for protection,
enhancement, and restoration of water
quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that
protect groundwater from degradation. Of
this amount, at least $1,500,000 each year is
for county SSTS implementation.

(c) $900,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,200,000 deleted text end
new text begin $897,000 new text end the second year are to provide state
oversight and accountability, evaluate results,
and develop an electronic system to measure
and track the value of conservation program
implementation by local governments,
including submission to the legislature
by March 1 each year an annual report
prepared by the board, in consultation with
the commissioners of natural resources,
health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control
Agency, detailing the recipients and projects
funded under this section. The board shall
require grantees to specify the outcomes that
will be achieved by the grants prior to any
grant awards.

(d) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,700,000
the second year are for technical assistance
and grants for the conservation drainage
program in consultation with the Drainage
Work Group, created under Minnesota
Statutes, section 103B.101, subdivision 13,
to facilitate the installation of conservation
practices on drainage systems that will result
in water quality improvements and evaluate
the outcomes of these installations. The
board shall coordinate practice standards
with the Natural Resources Conservation
Service of the United States Department
of Agriculture and seek to leverage federal
funds as part of conservation drainage
program implementation.

(e) $6,000,000 the first year and $6,000,000
the second year are to purchase and restore
permanent conservation easements on
riparian buffers adjacent to public waters,
excluding wetlands, to keep water on the
land in order to decrease sediment, pollutant,
and nutrient transport; reduce hydrologic
impacts to surface waters; and increase
infiltration for groundwater recharge. The
riparian buffers must be at least 50 feet unless
there is a natural impediment, a road, or
other impediment beyond the control of the
landowner. This appropriation may be used
for restoration of riparian buffers protected by
easements purchased with this appropriation
and for stream bank restorations when the
riparian buffers have been restored.

(f) $1,300,000 the first year and $2,300,000
the second year are for permanent
conservation easements on wellhead
protection areas under Minnesota Statutes,
section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph
(d). Priority must be placed on land that
is located where the vulnerability of the
drinking water supply is designated as high
or very high by the commissioner of health.
The board shall coordinate with the United
States Geological Survey, the commissioners
of health and natural resources, and local
communities contained in the Decorah
and St. Lawrence Edge areas of Winona,
Goodhue, Olmsted, and Wabasha Counties
to obtain easements in identified areas as
having the most vulnerability to groundwater
contamination.

(g) $1,500,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,500,000 deleted text end
new text begin $1,455,000 new text end the second year are for
community partners grants to local units of
government for: (1) structural or vegetative
management practices that reduce storm
water runoff from developed or disturbed
lands to reduce the movement of sediment,
nutrients, and pollutants for restoration,
protection, or enhancement of water quality
in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect
groundwater and drinking water; and (2)
installation of proven and effective water
retention practices including, but not
limited to, rain gardens and other vegetated
infiltration basins and sediment control
basins in order to keep water on the land.
The projects must be of long-lasting public
benefit, include a local match, and be
consistent with TMDL implementation plans
or local water management plans. Local
government unit staff and administration
costs may be used as a match.

(h) $84,000 the first year and $84,000 the
second year are for a technical evaluation
panel to conduct up to ten restoration
evaluations under Minnesota Statutes,
section 114D.50, subdivision 6.

(i) The board shall contract for services
with Conservation Corps Minnesota for
restoration, maintenance, and other activities
under this section for $500,000 the first year
and $500,000 the second year.

(j) The board may shift grant or cost-share
funds in this section and may adjust the
technical and administrative assistance
portion of the funds to leverage federal or
other nonstate funds or to address oversight
responsibilities or high-priority needs
identified in local water management plans.

(k) The appropriations in this section are
available until June 30, 2016.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 3, is amended to read:

Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

$

7,310,000

$

deleted text begin 7,460,000 deleted text end new text begin 7,399,000 new text end

(a) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are to increase monitoring for
pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface
water and groundwater and to use data
collected to assess pesticide use practices.

(b) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000
the second year are to increase monitoring
and evaluate trends in the concentration of
nitrates in groundwater in areas vulnerable
to groundwater degradation, including a
substantial increase of monitoring of private
wells in cooperation with the commissioner
of health, monitoring for pesticides when
nitrates are detected, and promoting and
evaluating regional and crop-specific
nutrient best management practices to
protect groundwater from degradation.
Of this amount, $75,000 may be used for
accelerating the update for the commercial
manure applicator manual. This amount
is to be matched with general funds. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2016,
when the commissioner shall submit a report
to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over agriculture and environment and
natural resources policy and finance on
the expenditure of these funds, including
the progress in preventing groundwater
degradation and recommendations. By
October 15, 2014, the commissioner shall
submit an interim report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the senate and
house of representatives committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
and environment and natural resources policy
and finance on the expenditure of these
funds, including recommendations.

(c) $200,000 the first year and $200,000
the second year are for the agriculture best
management practices loan program. At
least $170,000 each year is for transfer
to an agricultural and environmental
revolving account created under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.117, subdivision 5a,
and is available for pass-through to local
government and lenders for low-interest
loans under Minnesota Statutes, section
17.117. Any unencumbered balance
that is not used for pass-through to local
governments does not cancel at the end of the
first year and is available for the second year.

(d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000
the second year are for research, pilot
projects, and technical assistance on
proper implementation of best management
practices and more precise information on
nonpoint contributions to impaired waters.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2018.

(e) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,100,000
the second year are for research to quantify
agricultural contributions to impaired waters
and for development and evaluation of
best management practices to protect and
restore water resources while maintaining
productivity. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018.

(f) $100,000 the first year and deleted text begin $150,000 deleted text end
new text begin $90,000 new text end the second year are for a research
inventory database containing water-related
research activities. Any information
technology development or support or costs
necessary for this research inventory database
will be incorporated into the agency's service
level agreement with and paid to the Office
of Enterprise Technology. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018.

(g) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000
the second year are to implement a Minnesota
agricultural water quality certification
program. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018.

(h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the
second year are to provide funding for a
regional irrigation water quality specialist
through University of Minnesota Extension.

(i) $50,000 the first year and deleted text begin $50,000 deleted text end new text begin $49,000
new text end the second year are to develop and implement
a comprehensive, up-to-date instruction
system for animal waste technicians who
apply manure to the ground for hire.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 5, is amended to read:

Sec. 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

$

28,365,000

$

deleted text begin 28,265,000 deleted text end new text begin 28,010,000 new text end

(a) $7,600,000 the first year and deleted text begin $7,600,000 deleted text end
new text begin $7,522,000 new text end the second year are for
completion of 20 percent of the needed
statewide assessments of surface water
quality and trends. Of this amount,
$500,000 each year is to monitor and
assess contaminants of emerging concern in
groundwater and surface water, and $100,000
each year is for grants to the Red River
Watershed Management Board to enhance
and expand the existing water quality and
watershed monitoring river watch activities
in the schools in the Red River of the North
Watershed. The Red River Watershed
Management Board shall provide a report to
the commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency and the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over environment
and natural resources finance and policy and
the clean water fund by February 15, 2015,
on the expenditure of these funds.

(b) $9,400,000 the first year and deleted text begin $9,400,000 deleted text end
new text begin $9,323,000 new text end the second year are to develop
watershed restoration and protection
strategies (WRAPS), which include total
maximum daily load (TMDL) studies and
TMDL implementation plans for waters
listed on the Unites States Environmental
Protection Agency approved impaired waters
list in accordance with Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 114D. The agency shall complete an
average of ten percent of the TMDL's each
year over the biennium.

(c) $1,125,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,125,000 deleted text end
new text begin $1,108,000 new text end the second year are for
groundwater assessment, including
enhancing the ambient monitoring network,
modeling, and evaluating trends, including
the reassessment of groundwater that was
assessed ten to 15 years ago and found to
be contaminated. By January 15, 2016, the
commissioner shall submit a report with
recommendations for reducing or preventing
groundwater degradation from contaminants
to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over environment and natural resources
policy and finance.

(d) $750,000 the first year and $750,000
the second year are for water quality
improvements in the lower St. Louis River
and Duluth harbor within the St. Louis River
System Area of Concern. This appropriation
must be matched at a rate of 65 percent
nonstate money to 35 percent state money.

(e) $1,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000
the second year are for the clean water
partnership program to provide grants
to protect and improve the basins and
watersheds of the state and provide financial
and technical assistance to study waters
with nonpoint source pollution problems.
Priority shall be given to projects preventing
impairments and degradation of lakes, rivers,
streams, and groundwater in accordance
with Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.20,
subdivision 2, clause (4). Any balance
remaining in the first year does not cancel
and is available for the second year.

(f) $275,000 the first year and $275,000 the
second year are for storm water research and
guidance.

(g) $1,150,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,150,000 deleted text end
new text begin $1,131,000 new text end the second year are for TMDL
research and database development.

(h) $1,000,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,000,000 deleted text end
new text begin $936,000 new text end the second year are to initiate
development of a multiagency watershed
database reporting portal. Any information
technology development or support or costs
necessary for this research inventory database
will be incorporated into the agency's service
level agreement with and paid to the Office
of Enterprise Technology.

(i) $900,000 the first year and $900,000
the second year are for national pollutant
discharge elimination system wastewater and
storm water TMDL implementation efforts.

(j) $3,250,000 the first year and $3,650,000
the second year are for enhancing the
county-level delivery systems for subsurface
sewage treatment systems (SSTS) activities
necessary to implement Minnesota Statutes,
sections 115.55 and 115.56, for protection
of groundwater, including base grants
for all counties with SSTS programs and
competitive grants to counties with specific
plans to significantly reduce water pollution
by reducing the number of systems that
are an imminent threat to public health or
safety or are otherwise failing. Counties that
receive base grants must report the number
of sewage noncompliant properties upgraded
through SSTS replacement, connection to
a centralized sewer system, or other means
including property abandonment or buy-out.
Counties also must report the number of
compliance inspections of existing SSTS's
conducted in areas under county jurisdiction.
These required reports are to be part of
established annual reporting for SSTS
programs. Counties that conduct SSTS
inventories or those with an ordinance in
place that requires an SSTS to be inspected
as a condition of transferring property or as a
condition of obtaining a local permit shall be
given priority for competitive grants under
this paragraph. Of this amount, $750,000
each year is available to counties for grants to
low-income landowners to address systems
that pose an imminent threat to public health
or safety or fail to protect groundwater. A
grant awarded under this paragraph may not
exceed $500,000 for the biennium. A county
receiving a grant under this paragraph must
submit a report to the agency listing the
projects funded, including an account of the
expenditures.

(k) $1,500,000 the first year is for a
competitive grant program for sewer projects
that helps protect or restore the water quality
of waters in any national park located in
the state. Grants may be awarded to local
government units and must be matched with
25 percent non-clean-water-fund dollars.

(l) $375,000 the first year and $375,000 the
second year are for developing wastewater
treatment system designs and practices
and providing technical assistance. Of
this amount, $145,000 each year is for
transfer to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to provide ongoing
support for design teams with scientific
and technical expertise pertaining to
wastewater management and treatment
that will include representatives from the
University of Minnesota, Pollution Control
Agency, and municipal wastewater utilities
and other wastewater engineering experts.
The design teams shall promote the use of
new technology, designs, and practices to
address existing and emerging wastewater
treatment challenges, including the treatment
of wastewater for reuse and the emergence
of new and other unregulated contaminants.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2016.

(m) $40,000 the first year and $40,000 the
second year are to support activities of the
Clean Water Council according to Minnesota
Statutes, section 114D.30, subdivision 1.

(n) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.28, the appropriations
encumbered on or before June 30, 2015,
as grants or contracts in this section are
available until June 30, 2018.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 6, as amended by Laws 2015, First
Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 17, is amended to read:

Sec. 6. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

$

deleted text begin 12,135,000 deleted text end new text begin 10,943,000 new text end

$

8,950,000

(a) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000
the second year are for stream flow
monitoring, including the installation of
additional monitoring gauges, and monitoring
necessary to determine the relationship
between stream flow and groundwater.

(b) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000
the second year are for lake Index of
Biological Integrity (IBI) assessments.

(c) $135,000 the first year and $135,000
the second year are for assessing mercury
and other contaminants of fish, including
monitoring to track the status of waters
impaired by mercury and mercury reduction
efforts over time.

(d) $1,850,000 the first year and $1,850,000
the second year are for developing targeted,
science-based watershed restoration and
protection strategies, including regional
technical assistance for TMDL plans and
development of a watershed assessment tool,
in cooperation with the commissioner of the
Pollution Control Agency. By January 15,
2016, the commissioner shall submit a report
to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over environment and natural resources
policy and finance providing the outcomes
to lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater
achieved with this appropriation and
recommendations.

(e) $1,375,000 the first year and $1,375,000
the second year are for water supply planning,
aquifer protection, and monitoring activities.

(f) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for technical assistance
to support local implementation of nonpoint
source restoration and protection activities,
including water quality protection in forested
watersheds.

(g) $675,000 the first year and $675,000
the second year are for applied research
and tools, including watershed hydrologic
modeling; maintaining and updating spatial
data for watershed boundaries, streams, and
water bodies and integrating high-resolution
digital elevation data; assessing effectiveness
of forestry best management practices for
water quality; and developing an ecological
monitoring database.

(h) $615,000 the first year and $615,000
the second year are for developing county
geologic atlases.

(i) $85,000 the first year is to develop design
standards and best management practices
for public water access sites to maintain and
improve water quality by avoiding shoreline
erosion and runoff.

(j) deleted text begin $3,000,000 deleted text end new text begin $1,808,000 new text end the first year
is for beginning to develop and designate
groundwater management areas under
Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.287,
subdivision 4. The commissioner, in
consultation with the commissioners of
the Pollution Control Agency, health,
and agriculture, shall establish a uniform
statewide hydrogeologic mapping system
that will include designated groundwater
management areas. The mapping system
must include wellhead protection areas,
special well construction areas, groundwater
provinces, groundwater recharge areas, and
other designated or geographical areas related
to groundwater. This mapping system shall
be used to implement all groundwater-related
laws and for reporting and evaluations. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.

(k) $100,000 the first year is for the
commissioner of natural resources for
rulemaking under Minnesota Statutes,
section 116G.15, subdivision 7.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 7, is amended to read:

Sec. 7. BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$

30,689,000

$

deleted text begin 34,740,000 deleted text end new text begin 34,647,000 new text end

(a) $5,000,000 the first year and $7,000,000
the second year are for grants to local
government units organized for the
management of water in a watershed or
subwatershed that have multiyear plans
that will result in a significant reduction in
water pollution in a selected subwatershed.
The grants may be used for the following
purposes: establishment of riparian buffers;
practices to store water for natural treatment
and infiltration, including rain gardens;
capturing storm water for reuse; stream
bank, shoreland, and ravine stabilization;
enforcement activities; and implementation
of best management practices for feedlots
within riparian areas and other practices
demonstrated to be most effective in
protecting, enhancing, and restoring water
quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and
protecting groundwater from degradation.
Grant recipients must identify a nonstate
cash match of at least 25 percent of the
total eligible project costs. Grant recipients
may use other legacy funds to supplement
projects funded under this paragraph. Grants
awarded under this paragraph are available
for four years and priority shall be given
to the three to six best designed plans each
year. By January 15, 2016, the board shall
submit an interim report on the outcomes
achieved with this appropriation, including
recommendations, to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the senate and house
of representatives committees and divisions
with jurisdiction over environment and
natural resources policy and finance. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.

(b) $9,705,000 the first year and deleted text begin $10,756,000 deleted text end
new text begin $10,684,000 new text end the second year are for grants
to protect and restore surface water and
drinking water; to keep water on the land; to
protect, enhance, and restore water quality
in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect
groundwater and drinking water, including
feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage
treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream
bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration,
and ravine stabilization projects. The
projects must use practices demonstrated
to be effective, be of long-lasting public
benefit, include a match, and be consistent
with total maximum daily load (TMDL)
implementation plans or local water
management plans or their equivalents.

(c) $3,500,000 the first year and $4,500,000
the second year are for targeted local
resource protection and enhancement grants
for projects and practices that supplement or
exceed current state standards for protection,
enhancement, and restoration of water
quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that
protect groundwater from degradation,
including compliance.

(d) $950,000 the first year and $950,000 the
second year are to provide state oversight
and accountability, evaluate results, and
measure the value of conservation program
implementation by local governments,
including submission to the legislature
by March 1 each year an annual report
prepared by the board, in consultation with
the commissioners of natural resources,
health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control
Agency, detailing the recipients, projects
funded under this section, and the amount of
pollution reduced.

(e) $1,700,000 the first year and $1,700,000
the second year are for grants to local units
of government to ensure compliance with
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103E, and
sections 103F.401 to 103F.455, including
enforcement efforts. Of this amount,
$235,000 the first year is to update the
Minnesota Public Drainage Manual and the
Minnesota Public Drainage Law Overview
for Decision Makers and to provide outreach
to users.

(f) $6,500,000 the first year and $6,500,000
the second year are to purchase and restore
permanent conservation easements on
riparian buffers adjacent to lakes, rivers,
streams, and tributaries, to keep water on the
land in order to decrease sediment, pollutant,
and nutrient transport; reduce hydrologic
impacts to surface waters; and increase
infiltration for groundwater recharge. This
appropriation may be used for restoration
of riparian buffers protected by easements
purchased with this appropriation and for
stream bank restorations when the riparian
buffers have been restored.

(g) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000
the second year are for permanent
conservation easements on wellhead
protection areas under Minnesota Statutes,
section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph
(d). Priority must be placed on land that
is located where the vulnerability of the
drinking water supply is designated as high
or very high by the commissioner of health.

(h) $1,500,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,500,000 deleted text end
new text begin $1,479,000 new text end the second year are for
community partners grants to local units of
government for: (1) structural or vegetative
management practices that reduce storm
water runoff from developed or disturbed
lands to reduce the movement of sediment,
nutrients, and pollutants for restoration,
protection, or enhancement of water quality
in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect
groundwater and drinking water; and (2)
installation of proven and effective water
retention practices including, but not
limited to, rain gardens and other vegetated
infiltration basins and sediment control
basins in order to keep water on the land.
The projects must be of long-lasting public
benefit, include a local match, and be
consistent with TMDL implementation plans
or local water management plans or their
equivalents. Local government unit costs
may be used as a match.

(i) $84,000 the first year and $84,000 the
second year are for a technical evaluation
panel to conduct ten restoration evaluations
under Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.50,
subdivision 6.

(j) $450,000 the first year and $450,000 the
second year are for assistance and grants to
local governments to transition local water
management plans to a watershed approach
as provided for in Minnesota Statutes,
chapters 103B, 103C, 103D, and 114D.

(k) The board shall contract for services
with Conservation Corps Minnesota for
restoration, maintenance, and other activities
under this section for up to $500,000 the first
year and up to $500,000 the second year.

(l) The board may shift grant or cost-share
funds in this section and may adjust the
technical and administrative assistance
portion of the funds to leverage federal or
other nonstate funds or to address oversight
responsibilities or high-priority needs
identified in local water management plans.

(m) The board shall require grantees to
specify the outcomes that will be achieved
by the grants prior to any grant awards.

(n) The appropriations in this section are
available until June 30, 2018. Returned grant
funds are available until expended and shall
be regranted consistent with the purposes of
this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 8, is amended to read:

Sec. 8. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

$

4,635,000

$

deleted text begin 4,635,000 deleted text end new text begin 4,535,000 new text end

(a) $1,150,000 the first year and $1,150,000
the second year are for addressing public
health concerns related to contaminants
found in Minnesota drinking water for
which no health-based drinking water
standards exist, including accelerating the
development of health risk limits, including
triclosan, and improving the capacity of
the department's laboratory to analyze
unregulated contaminants.

(b) $1,615,000 the first year and $1,615,000
the second year are for protection of drinking
water sources.

(c) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are for cost-share assistance to
public and private well owners for up to 50
percent of the cost of sealing unused wells.

(d) $390,000 the first year and deleted text begin $390,000 deleted text end
new text begin $290,000 new text end the second year are to update and
expand the county well index, in cooperation
with the commissioner of natural resources.

(e) $325,000 the first year and $325,000 the
second year are for studying the occurrence
and magnitude of contaminants in private
wells and developing guidance to ensure
that new well placement minimizes the
potential for risks, in cooperation with the
commissioner of agriculture.

(f) $105,000 the first year and $105,000 the
second year are for monitoring recreational
beaches on Lake Superior for pollutants that
may pose a public health risk and mitigating
sources of bacterial contamination that are
identified.

(g) $800,000 the first year and $800,000
the second year are for the development
and implementation of a groundwater
virus monitoring plan, including an
epidemiological study to determine the
association between groundwater virus
concentration and community illness rates.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2017.

(h) Unless otherwise specified, the
appropriations in this section are available
until June 30, 2016.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 3, is amended to
read:

Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

$

8,584,000

$

deleted text begin 5,082,000 deleted text end new text begin 7,582,000 new text end

(a) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are to increase monitoring for
pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface
water and groundwater and to use data
collected to assess pesticide use practices.

(b) $2,586,000 the first year and $2,585,000
the second year are for monitoring and
evaluating trends in the concentration of
nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable
to groundwater degradation; monitoring
for pesticides when nitrate is detected;
promoting, developing, and evaluating
regional and crop-specific nutrient best
management practices; assessing best
management practice adoption; education
and technical support from University of
Minnesota Extension; and other actions to
protect groundwater from degradation from
nitrate. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2018.

(c) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
second year are for administering clean water
funds managed through the agriculture best
management practices loan program. Any
unencumbered balance at the end of the
second year shall be added to the corpus of
the loan fund.

(d) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000
the second year are for technical assistance,
research, and demonstration projects on
proper implementation of best management
practices and more precise information on
nonpoint contributions to impaired waters.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2020.

(e) $788,000 the first year and $787,000 the
second year are for research to quantify and
reduce agricultural contributions to impaired
waters and for development and evaluation
of best management practices to protect and
restore water resources. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2020.

(f) $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the
second year are for a research inventory
database containing water-related research
activities. Costs for information technology
development or support for this research
inventory database may be paid to the Office
of MN.IT Services. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2018.

(g) $2,500,000 the first year deleted text begin is deleted text end new text begin and
$2,500,000 the second year are new text end to implement
the Minnesota agricultural water quality
certification program statewide. The
commissioner of agriculture shall consult
with the United States Department of
Agriculture to determine whether other
state spending would qualify as a match for
the agricultural water quality certification
program funds available from the federal
government. By January 1, 2016, the
commissioner shall submit a report on
funding recommendations to the Clean Water
Council and the chairs and ranking minority
members of the house of representatives
and senate committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over agriculture, the environment
and natural resources, and the clean water
fund. Funds appropriated in this paragraph
are available until June 30, deleted text begin 2016, and the
commissioner may request additional funding
for this program for fiscal year 2017 deleted text end new text begin 2019 new text end .

(h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the
second year are to provide funding for a
regional irrigation water quality specialist
through University of Minnesota Extension.

(i) $1,000,000 the first year is for grants
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to fund the Forever Green
Agriculture Initiative and to protect the
state's natural resources while increasing
the efficiency, profitability, and productivity
of Minnesota farmers by incorporating
perennial and winter-annual crops into
existing agricultural practices.

(j) A portion of the funds in this section may
be used for programs to train state and local
outreach staff in the intersection between
agricultural economics and agricultural
conservation.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 5, is amended to
read:

Sec. 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

$

deleted text begin 27,350,000 deleted text end new text begin 27,205,000 new text end

$

deleted text begin 27,348,000 deleted text end new text begin 28,098,000 new text end

(a) $8,350,000 the first year and deleted text begin $8,350,000 deleted text end
new text begin $8,400,000 new text end the second year are for
completion of 20 percent of the needed
statewide assessments of surface water
quality and trends. Of this amount, $100,000
each year is for grants to the Red River
Watershed Management Board to enhance
and expand the existing water quality
and watershed monitoring river watch
activities in the schools along the Red River
of the North. The Red River Watershed
Management Board shall provide a report to
the commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency and the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over environment
and natural resources finance and policy and
the clean water fund by February 15, 2017,
on the expenditure of this appropriation. If
the amount in the first year is insufficient, the
amount in the second year is available in the
first year.

(b) $9,795,000 the first year and deleted text begin $9,795,000 deleted text end
new text begin $10,495,000 new text end the second year are to develop
watershed restoration and protection
strategies (WRAPS), which include total
maximum daily load (TMDL) studies and
TMDL implementation plans for waters
listed on the Unites States Environmental
Protection Agency approved impaired waters
list in accordance with Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 114D. The agency shall complete an
average of ten percent of the TMDLs each
year over the biennium.

(c) $1,182,000 the first year and $1,181,000
the second year are for groundwater
assessment, including enhancing the
ambient monitoring network, modeling, and
evaluating trends, including the reassessment
of groundwater that was assessed ten to 15
years ago and found to be contaminated.

(d) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the
second year are for implementation of the
St. Louis River System Area of Concern
Remedial Action Plan. This appropriation
must be matched at a rate of 65 percent
nonstate money to 35 percent state money.

(e) $275,000 the first year and $275,000 the
second year are for storm water research and
guidance.

(f) deleted text begin $1,150,000 deleted text end new text begin $1,005,000 new text end the first year and
$1,150,000 the second year are for TMDL
research and database development.

(g) $900,000 the first year and $900,000
the second year are for national pollutant
discharge elimination system wastewater and
storm water TMDL implementation efforts.

(h) $3,623,000 the first year and $3,622,000
the second year are for enhancing the
county-level delivery systems for subsurface
sewage treatment system (SSTS) activities
necessary to implement Minnesota Statutes,
sections 115.55 and 115.56, for protection
of groundwater, including base grants
for all counties with SSTS programs and
competitive grants to counties with specific
plans to significantly reduce water pollution
by reducing the number of systems that
are an imminent threat to public health or
safety or are otherwise failing. Counties that
receive base grants must report the number
of sewage noncompliant properties upgraded
through SSTS replacement, connection
to a centralized sewer system, or other
means, including property abandonment
or buy-out. Counties also must report
the number of existing SSTS compliance
inspections conducted in areas under county
jurisdiction. These required reports are to
be part of established annual reporting for
SSTS programs. Counties that conduct SSTS
inventories or those with an ordinance in
place that requires an SSTS to be inspected
as a condition of transferring property or as a
condition of obtaining a local permit must be
given priority for competitive grants under
this paragraph. Of this amount, $750,000
each year is available to counties for grants to
low-income landowners to address systems
that pose an imminent threat to public health
or safety or fail to protect groundwater. A
grant awarded under this paragraph may not
exceed $500,000 for the biennium. A county
receiving a grant under this paragraph must
submit a report to the agency listing the
projects funded, including an account of the
expenditures.

(i) $275,000 the first year and $275,000
the second year are for a storm water
best management practice performance
evaluation and technology transfer program
to enhance data and information management
of storm water best management practices;
evaluate best management performance
and effectiveness to support meeting total
maximum daily loads; develop standards
and incorporate state of the art guidance
using minimal impact design standards as
the model; and implement a knowledge
and technology transfer system across
local government, industry, and regulatory
sectors for pass-through to the University of
Minnesota. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018.

(j) $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the
second year are to support activities of the
Clean Water Council according to Minnesota
Statutes, section 114D.30, subdivision 1.

(k) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for a grant program for
sanitary sewer projects that are included in
the draft or any updated Voyageurs National
Park Clean Water Project Comprehensive
Plan to restore the water quality of waters
within Voyageurs National Park. Grants must
be awarded to local government units for
projects approved by the Voyageurs National
Park Clean Water Joint Powers Board and
must be matched by at least 25 percent from
sources other than the clean water fund.

(l) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.28, the appropriations in this
section encumbered on or before June 30,
2017, as grants or contracts are available
until June 30, 2020.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 7, is amended to
read:

Sec. 7. BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$

deleted text begin 56,841,000 deleted text end new text begin 56,341,000 new text end

$

56,322,000

(a) $4,875,000 the first year and $4,875,000
the second year are for grants to local
government units organized for the
management of water in a watershed or
subwatershed that have multiyear plans
that will result in a significant reduction in
water pollution in a selected subwatershed.
The grants may be used for establishment
of riparian buffers; practices to store
water for natural treatment and infiltration,
including rain gardens; capturing storm
water for reuse; stream bank, shoreland, and
ravine stabilization; enforcement activities;
and implementation of best management
practices for feedlots within riparian areas
and other practices demonstrated to be
most effective in protecting, enhancing, and
restoring water quality in lakes, rivers, and
streams and protecting groundwater from
degradation. Grant recipients must identify
a nonstate match and may use other legacy
funds to supplement projects funded under
this paragraph. Grants awarded under this
paragraph are available for four years and
priority must be given to the best designed
plans each year.

(b) $10,187,000 the first year and
$10,188,000 the second year are for grants
to protect and restore surface water and
drinking water; to keep water on the land; to
protect, enhance, and restore water quality
in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect
groundwater and drinking water, including
feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage
treatment system projects and stream bank,
stream channel, shoreline restoration,
and ravine stabilization projects. The
projects must use practices demonstrated
to be effective, be of long-lasting public
benefit, include a match, and be consistent
with total maximum daily load (TMDL)
implementation plans, watershed restoration
and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local
water management plans or their equivalents.
A portion of these funds may be used to seek
administrative efficiencies through shared
resources by multiple local governmental
units.

(c) deleted text begin $6,000,000 deleted text end new text begin $5,500,000 new text end the first year
and $6,000,000 the second year are for
targeted local resource protection and
enhancement grants and statewide program
enhancements for technical assistance,
citizen and community outreach, and
training and certification, as well as projects,
practices, and programs that supplement or
otherwise exceed current state standards for
protection, enhancement, and restoration of
water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or
that protect groundwater from degradation,
including compliance.

(d) $950,000 the first year and $950,000
the second year are to provide state
oversight and accountability, evaluate
results, provide implementation tools, and
measure the value of conservation program
implementation by local governments,
including submission to the legislature by
March 1 each even-numbered year a biennial
report prepared by the board, in consultation
with the commissioners of natural resources,
health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control
Agency, detailing the recipients, the projects
funded under this section, and the amount of
pollution reduced.

(e) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000
the second year are for grants to local units
of government to enhance compliance
with riparian buffer or alternate practice
requirements.

(f) $4,875,000 the first year and $4,875,000
the second year are to restore or preserve
permanent conservation on riparian buffers
adjacent to lakes, rivers, streams, and
tributaries, to keep water on the land in order
to decrease sediment, pollutant, and nutrient
transport; reduce hydrologic impacts to
surface waters; and increase infiltration for
groundwater recharge. This appropriation
may be used for restoration of riparian
buffers permanently protected by easements
purchased with this appropriation or contracts
to achieve permanent protection for riparian
buffers or stream bank restorations when the
riparian buffers have been restored. Up to
$344,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and
enforcement account.

(g) $1,750,000 the first year and $1,750,000
the second year are for permanent
conservation easements on wellhead
protection areas under Minnesota Statutes,
section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph
(d), or for grants to local units of government
for fee title acquisition to permanently
protect groundwater supply sources on
wellhead protection areas or for otherwise
assuring long-term protection of groundwater
supply sources as described under alternative
management tools in the Department
of Agriculture's Nitrogen Fertilizer
Management Plan, including low nitrogen
cropping systems or implementing nitrogen
fertilizer best management practices. Priority
must be placed on land that is located where
the vulnerability of the drinking water supply
is designated as high or very high by the
commissioner of health, where drinking
water protection plans have identified
specific activities that will achieve long-term
protection, and on lands with expiring
Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
Up to $52,500 is for deposit in a monitoring
and enforcement account.

(h) $750,000 the first year and $750,000
the second year are for community partner
grants to local units of government for:
(1) structural or vegetative management
practices that reduce storm water runoff
from developed or disturbed lands to reduce
the movement of sediment, nutrients, and
pollutants for restoration, protection, or
enhancement of water quality in lakes, rivers,
and streams and to protect groundwater
and drinking water; and (2) installation
of proven and effective water retention
practices including, but not limited to, rain
gardens and other vegetated infiltration
basins and sediment control basins in order
to keep water on the land. The projects must
be of long-lasting public benefit, include a
local match, and be consistent with TMDL
implementation plans, watershed restoration
and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local
water management plans or their equivalents.
Local government unit costs may be used as
a match.

(i) $84,000 the first year and $84,000 the
second year are for a technical evaluation
panel to conduct ten restoration evaluations
under Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.50,
subdivision 6.

(j) $2,100,000 the first year and $2,100,000
the second year are for assistance, oversight,
and grants to local governments to transition
local water management plans to a watershed
approach as provided for in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 103B, 103C, 103D, and
114D.

(k) $750,000 the first year and $750,000
the second year are for technical assistance
and grants for the conservation drainage
program in consultation with the Drainage
Work Group, coordinated under Minnesota
Statutes, section 103B.101, subdivision
13, that includes projects to improve
multipurpose water management under
Minnesota Statutes, section 103E.015.

(l) $9,000,000 the first year and $9,000,000
the second year are to purchase and restore
permanent conservation sites via easements
or contracts to treat and store water on the
land for water quality improvement purposes
and related technical assistance. This work
may be done in cooperation with the United
States Department of Agriculture with a first
priority use to accomplish a conservation
reserve enhancement program, or equivalent,
in the state. Up to $1,285,000 is for deposit
in a monitoring and enforcement account.

(m) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are to purchase permanent
conservation easements to protect lands
adjacent to public waters with good water
quality but threatened with degradation. Up
to $190,000 is for deposit in a monitoring
and enforcement account.

(n) $500,000 the first year and $500,000
the second year are for a program to
systematically collect data and produce
county, watershed, and statewide estimates
of soil erosion caused by water and wind
along with tracking adoption of conservation
measures to address erosion.

(o) $11,000,000 the first year and
$11,000,000 the second year are for
payments to soil and water conservation
districts for the purposes of Minnesota
Statutes, sections 103C.321 and 103C.331.
From this appropriation, each soil and water
conservation district shall receive an increase
in its base funding of $100,000 per year.
Money remaining after the base increase
is available for matching grants to soil and
water conservation districts based on county
allocations to soil and water conservation
districts. The board and other agencies may
reduce the amount of grants to a county by an
amount equal to any reduction in the county's
allocation to a soil and water conservation
district from the county's previous-year
allocation when the board determines that
the reduction was disproportionate. The
second-year appropriation cancels if new
buffer requirements are not enacted in 2015.

(p) $520,000 the first year is for a grant
to Washington County for a water quality
improvement project that will improve water
quality and restore an essential backwater
aquatic area by reconnecting Grey Cloud
Slough to the main channel of the Mississippi
River Area. This appropriation is not
available until at least an equal amount is
committed from nonstate sources.

(q) The Board of Water and Soil
Resources must consider the inclusion
of environmentally suitable annuals the
next time the board establishes or revises
vegetation establishment and enhancement
guidelines for the purposes of riparian
buffers.

(r) The board shall contract for delivery of
services with Conservation Corps Minnesota
for restoration, maintenance, and other
activities under this section for up to
$500,000 the first year and up to $500,000
the second year.

(s) The board may shift grant or cost-share
funds in this section and may adjust the
technical and administrative assistance
portion of the funds to leverage federal or
other nonstate funds or to address oversight
responsibilities or high-priority needs
identified in local water management plans.

(t) The board shall require grantees to specify
the outcomes that will be achieved by the
grants prior to any grant awards.

(u) The appropriations in this section are
available until June 30, 2020. Returned grant
funds are available until expended and shall
be regranted consistent with the purposes of
this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 12. new text begin WHITE BEAR LAKE AUGMENTATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $150,000 in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the clean water fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for development of three design-build proposals. The
commissioner shall request design-build qualifications and select three qualified entities to
develop design-build proposals. The proposals must address increasing the water level in
White Bear Lake by piping water from Vadnais Lake to White Bear Lake. The design work
must ensure that the water in White Bear Lake and Vadnais Lake will remain at least as
clean and clear as before the augmentation project is implemented. Among any other issues
to be addressed, the design work must ensure that the project does not allow the spread of
any invasive species or increase phosphorus levels. The commissioner must develop the
design-build request for proposals in consultation with the commissioner of administration
with regard to procedures, and in consultation with the Metropolitan Council and its water
supply policy and technical advisory committees and the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency with regard to water quality and environmental issues. Any limitations in law on
the number or value of design-build contracts do not apply to this project.
new text end

new text begin (b) No detailed design or construction for the White Bear Lake augmentation project
may be undertaken by the commissioner until the commissioner, the city of Vadnais
Heights, the White Bear Lake Conservation District, the Metropolitan Council, and any
other communities, agencies, or entities involved in the White Bear Lake augmentation
project using water drawn from Vadnais Lake enter an agreement as to how the project
will proceed, with protections for the city of Vadnais Heights' water system and property
including, but not limited to, the following assurances for the city of Vadnais Heights, that:
new text end

new text begin (1) the city will not lose its ability to develop lands near Vadnais Lake;
new text end

new text begin (2) the city will be consulted regarding all aspects, including the legal planning
process, of the siting of any proposed water filtration or treatment plant facility within its
borders necessitated by the augmentation project;
new text end

new text begin (3) the city will not be required to contribute financially to the construction,
maintenance, or operations of the proposed augmentation project and the proposed
filtration or treatment plant facility;
new text end

new text begin (4) all city and county roads and streets affected by the proposed augmentation
project and the proposed filtration or treatment plant facility will be reconstructed
following project completion;
new text end

new text begin (5) efforts will be made to minimize disruption and adverse impacts to residents and
businesses during construction of the proposed augmentation project and the proposed
filtration or treatment plant facility; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the city will be given authority to force change to ongoing project operations that
negatively affect the immediate neighborhood.
new text end

ARTICLE 3

PARKS AND TRAILS FUND

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 85.53, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Expenditures; accountability.

(a) A project or program receiving funding
from the parks and trails fund must meet or exceed the constitutional requirement to
support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance. A project or program
receiving funding from the parks and trails fund must include measurable outcomes, as
defined in section 3.303, subdivision 10, and a plan for measuring and evaluating the
results. A project or program must be consistent with current science and incorporate
state-of-the-art technology, except when the project or program is a portrayal or restoration
of historical significance.

(b) Money from the parks and trails fund shall be expended to balance the benefits
across all regions and residents of the state.

(c) A state agency or other recipient of a direct appropriation from the parks and
trails fund must compile and submit all information for funded projects or programs,
including the proposed measurable outcomes and all other items required under section
3.303, subdivision 10, to the Legislative Coordinating Commission as soon as practicable
or by January 15 of the applicable fiscal year, whichever comes first. The Legislative
Coordinating Commission must post submitted information on the Web site required
under section 3.303, subdivision 10, as soon as it becomes available.

(d) Grants funded by the parks and trails fund must be implemented according to
section 16B.98 and must account for all expenditures. Proposals must specify a process
for any regranting envisioned. Priority for grant proposals must be given to proposals
involving grants that will be competitively awarded.

(e) Money from the parks and trails fund may only be spent on projects located
in Minnesota.

(f) When practicable, a direct recipient of an appropriation from the parks and
trails fund shall prominently display on the recipient's Web site home page the legacy
logo required under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 5, section 10, as amended by Laws
2010, chapter 361, article 3, section 5, accompanied by the phrase "Click here for more
information." When a person clicks on the legacy logo image, the Web site must direct
the person to a Web page that includes both the contact information that a person may
use to obtain additional information, as well as a link to the Legislative Coordinating
Commission Web site required under section 3.303, subdivision 10.

(g) Future eligibility for money from the parks and trails fund is contingent upon a
state agency or other recipient satisfying all applicable requirements in this section, as
well as any additional requirements contained in applicable session law. If the Office of
the Legislative Auditor, in the course of an audit or investigation, publicly reports that a
recipient of money from the parks and trails fund has not complied with the laws, rules, or
regulations in this section or other laws applicable to the recipient, the recipient must be
listed in an annual report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the legacy
funds. The list must be publicly available. The legislative auditor shall remove a recipient
from the list upon determination that the recipient is in compliance. A recipient on the
list is not eligible for future funding from the parks and trails fund until the recipient
demonstrates compliance to the legislative auditor.

new text begin (h) Any state agency or organization requesting a direct appropriation from the parks
and trails fund must inform the house of representatives and senate committees having
jurisdiction over the parks and trails fund, at the time the request for funding is made,
whether the request is supplanting or is a substitution for any previous funding that was
not from a legacy fund and was used for the same purpose.
new text end

ARTICLE 4

ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 129D.17, subdivision 2,
is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Expenditures; accountability.

(a) Funding from the arts and cultural
heritage fund may be spent only for arts, arts education, and arts access, and to preserve
Minnesota's history and cultural heritage. A project or program receiving funding from
the arts and cultural heritage fund must include measurable outcomes, and a plan for
measuring and evaluating the results. A project or program must be consistent with current
scholarship, or best practices, when appropriate and must incorporate state-of-the-art
technology when appropriate.

(b) Funding from the arts and cultural heritage fund may be granted for an entire
project or for part of a project so long as the recipient provides a description and cost for
the entire project and can demonstrate that it has adequate resources to ensure that the
entire project will be completed.

(c) Money from the arts and cultural heritage fund shall be expended for benefits
across all regions and residents of the state.

(d) A state agency or other recipient of a direct appropriation from the arts and
cultural heritage fund must compile and submit all information for funded projects or
programs, including the proposed measurable outcomes and all other items required
under section 3.303, subdivision 10, to the Legislative Coordinating Commission as soon
as practicable or by January 15 of the applicable fiscal year, whichever comes first. The
Legislative Coordinating Commission must post submitted information on the Web site
required under section 3.303, subdivision 10, as soon as it becomes available.

(e) Grants funded by the arts and cultural heritage fund must be implemented
according to section 16B.98 and must account for all expenditures of funds. Priority for
grant proposals must be given to proposals involving grants that will be competitively
awarded.

(f) All money from the arts and cultural heritage fund must be for projects located
in Minnesota.

(g) When practicable, a direct recipient of an appropriation from the arts and cultural
heritage fund shall prominently display on the recipient's Web site home page the legacy
logo required under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 5, section 10, as amended by Laws
2010, chapter 361, article 3, section 5, accompanied by the phrase "Click here for more
information." When a person clicks on the legacy logo image, the Web site must direct
the person to a Web page that includes both the contact information that a person may
use to obtain additional information, as well as a link to the Legislative Coordinating
Commission Web site required under section 3.303, subdivision 10.

(h) Future eligibility for money from the arts and cultural heritage fund is contingent
upon a state agency or other recipient satisfying all applicable requirements in this section,
as well as any additional requirements contained in applicable session law. If the Office of
the Legislative Auditor, in the course of an audit or investigation, publicly reports that a
recipient of money from the arts and cultural heritage fund has not complied with the laws,
rules, or regulations in this section or other laws applicable to the recipient, the recipient
must be listed in an annual report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the
legacy funds. The list must be publicly available. The legislative auditor shall remove a
recipient from the list upon determination that the recipient is in compliance. A recipient
on the list is not eligible for future funding from the arts and cultural heritage fund until
the recipient demonstrates compliance to the legislative auditor.

new text begin (i) Any state agency or organization requesting a direct appropriation from the arts
and cultural heritage fund must inform the house of representatives and senate committees
having jurisdiction over the arts and cultural heritage fund, at the time the request for
funding is made, whether the request is supplanting or is a substitution for any previous
funding that was not from a legacy fund and was used for the same purpose.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3,
is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Minnesota State Arts Board

26,819,000

31,312,000

(a) These amounts are appropriated to
the Minnesota State Arts Board for arts,
arts education, arts preservation, and arts
access. Grant agreements entered into
by the Minnesota State Arts Board and
other recipients of appropriations in this
subdivision must ensure that these funds are
used to supplement and not substitute for
traditional sources of funding. Each grant
program established within this appropriation
must be separately administered from other
state appropriations for program planning
and outcome measurements, but may take
into consideration other state resources
awarded in the selection of applicants and
grant award size.

(b) Arts and Arts Access Initiatives

$21,155,000 the first year and $25,350,000
the second year are to support Minnesota
artists and arts organizations in creating,
producing, and presenting high-quality arts
activities; to overcome barriers to accessing
high-quality arts activities; new text begin to preserve,
maintain, and interpret art forms and works
of art so that they are accessible to Minnesota
audiences; new text end and to instill the arts into the
community and public life in this state.

(c) Arts Education

$4,248,000 the first year and $4,472,000
the second year are for high-quality,
age-appropriate arts education for
Minnesotans of all ages to develop
knowledge, skills, and understanding of the
arts.

(d) Arts and Cultural Heritage

$1,416,000 the first year and $1,490,000
the second year are for events and activities
that represent new text begin , preserve, and maintain new text end the
diverse cultural arts traditions, including folk
and traditional artists and art organizations,
represented in this state.

(e) Up to 4.5 percent of the funds appropriated
in paragraphs (b) to (d) may be used by the
board for administering grant programs,
delivering technical services, providing
fiscal oversight for the statewide system, and
ensuring accountability.

(f) Up to thirty percent of the remaining total
appropriation to each of the categories listed
in paragraphs (b) to (d) is for grants to the
regional arts councils. Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, regional arts council
grants or other arts council grants for touring
programs, projects, or exhibits must ensure
the programs, projects, or exhibits are able to
tour in their own region as well as all other
regions of the state.

(g) Any unencumbered balance remaining
under this section in the first year does not
cancel, but is available for the second year
of the biennium.