SF 2640

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to capital improvements; appropriating money for the Board of Water
and Soil Resources statewide projects; authorizing the sale and issuance of
state bonds.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $54,290,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the Board of Water and
Soil Resources for capital improvement projects statewide, for the purposes specified
in this section.
new text end

new text begin (a) $43,600,000 is to acquire conservation easements from landowners to restore
and preserve wetlands and riparian lands in order to protect soil and water quality and to
support fish and wildlife habitat and other public benefits. The provisions of Minnesota
Statutes, section 103F.515, apply to this appropriation, except that the board may establish
alternative payment rates for easements and practices to establish native vegetation. Of
this appropriation, $3,600,000 is to administer the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) $2,400,000 of this amount is to be available for use in the area designated for
relief and recovery from the flooding that occurred on or after August 18, 2007, in the
area of southeast Minnesota designated under Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster,
DR-1717. Funds previously appropriated and waivers previously authorized to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources for DR-1717 flood relief and recovery in Laws 2007, First
Special Session chapter 2, are available and applicable until June 30, 2010.
new text end

new text begin (c) $9,840,000 is to acquire land for wetland restoration or preservation to replace
wetlands drained or filled as a result of the repair or rehabilitation, reconstruction, or
replacement of existing public roads as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222,
subdivision 1, paragraphs (l) and (m). Of this appropriation, $1,440,000 is to administer
the program.
new text end

new text begin The purchase price paid for acquisition of land, fee, or perpetual easement must be
the fair market value as determined by the board. The board may enter into agreements
with the federal government, other state agencies, political subdivisions, and nonprofit
organizations or fee owners to acquire land and restore and create wetlands or to acquire
wetland banking credits. Acquisition of or the conveyance of land may be in the name of
the political subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (d) $850,000 is to acquire conservation easements, reroute County Ditch 23A,
design and construct water control structures and pumping infrastructure, and plant
native vegetation in order to restore the Grass Lake prairie wetland basin adjacent to
the city of Willmar in Kandiyohi County. This amount must be matched by funding
from other sources.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin BOND SALE.
new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in section 1 from the bond proceeds fund,
the commissioner of finance shall sell and issue bonds of the state in an amount up to
$54,290,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with the effect prescribed by Minnesota
Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the Minnesota Constitution, article XI,
sections 4 to 7.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end