as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/19/2010 04:01pm
A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; creating a native perennials establishment program;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103C.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The state board may allocate available
funds to districts to share the cost of native perennial establishment under the process and
policies developed for cost-share contracts in section 103C.501.
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Eligible land under this section must:
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(1) be owned by the landowner, or a parent or other blood relative of the landowner,
for at least one year before the date of application;
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(2) be at least five acres in size, but no greater than 80 acres in size;
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(3) have been in agricultural use, as defined in section 17.81, subdivision 4, or have
been set aside, enrolled, or diverted under another federal or state program for at least four
of the last six years before the date of application;
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(4) be in an area identified as a local water quality priority in a local water plan
under chapter 103B or a district plan under this chapter; and
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(5) be within 50 miles of a bioenergy or bioindustrial feedstock market.
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A landowner receiving cost-share payments
under this section must agree to:
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(1) keep a complete set of records of activities on the land that is subject to the
cost-share contract;
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(2) follow the state board's native vegetation establishment and enhancement
guidelines;
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(3) plant only seed from a source verified by the district, with a goal of at least 25
species that may include annuals and biennials and must include grasses, legumes, and
forbs;
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(4) follow an operation and maintenance plan that has been approved by the district;
and
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(5) maintain the native perennials for at least 15 years.
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A cost-share grant under this section shall be for up to 75
percent of the cost of site preparation, seeding, and related establishment costs.
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For 15 years after receiving cost-share payments under
this section, the landowner must agree to:
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(1) haying, native seed propagation, or bioenergy or bioindustrial feedstock
production as provided in the operation and maintenance plan;
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(2) follow United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation
Service, guidelines on harvesting for grass-based agriculture for biomass or forage
production and wildlife habitat; and
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(3) fertilize the soils only to the amount estimated to be removed by the crop.
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