SF 3444

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/12/2024 04:45pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing a nonlethal beaver management grant
program; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin NONLETHAL BEAVER MANAGEMENT GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of natural resources must establish a
program to:
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new text begin (1) provide state matching grants to assist individuals and communities with nonlethal
beaver management and beaver damage deterrence; and
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new text begin (2) provide recommendations for nonlethal strategies that can be implemented instead
of lethal management.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible applicants. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may award grants under this section
to:
new text end

new text begin (1) local units of government, including cities, counties, regional authorities, joint powers
boards, towns, townships, Tribal governments, and parks and recreation boards in cities of
the first class, that are responding to property damage caused by beaver activity; and
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new text begin (2) Minnesota residents that own or lease land where beavers are present and are causing
property damage.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible expenditures. new text end

new text begin Applicants are eligible for matching grants of up to ...
percent of costs incurred to deter beaver damage. Eligible expenditures include:
new text end

new text begin (1) nonlethally trapping and relocating beavers that are causing property damage;
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new text begin (2) fencing and other hardware for tree and plant protection;
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new text begin (3) planting native vegetation that is beaver-resistant; and
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new text begin (4) creating buffer strips of native vegetation that deter beaver damage to other properties.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must report to the legislature by February 1, 2025,
on the uses and effectiveness of the nonlethal beaver management grant program and make
recommendations for further changes to the program, including possible future funding
amounts and sources of funding.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the heritage
enhancement account in the game and fish fund to the commissioner of natural resources
for a nonlethal beaver management grant program.
new text end