as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 06/28/2022 02:46pm
A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money for accelerated conservation
planting, living snow fences, and ash tree replacement.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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$....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Water
and Soil Resources for an accelerated conservation planting program. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026. The work must be carried out consistent
with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 103C.501, and be used for financial and
technical assistance to landowners via local units of government for the purpose of
establishing or enhancing tree, shrub, and associated conservation practices that will reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and add resiliency to the landscape by sequestering carbon,
conserving energy, and improving water quality and habitat. Of this amount, $....... must
be used to address invasive species control via cooperative weed management agreements.
Money appropriated in this section may only be used to acquire and plant trees native to
Minnesota.
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$....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
transportation for contracts to build and improve living snow fences consisting of trees,
shrubs, native grasses, and wildflowers. Money appropriated in this section may only be
used to acquire and plant trees native to Minnesota. This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2026.
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(a) $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of natural resources for grants to local units of government to replace trees removed to
address emerald ash borer. Priority must be given to environmental justice areas. Money
appropriated in this section may only be used to acquire and plant trees native to Minnesota.
This is a onetime appropriation.
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(b) For purposes of this appropriation, an environmental justice area is one or more
census blocks with a history of higher than average cumulative impacts from air pollution
located in Minnesota:
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(1) in which, based on the most recent data published by the United States Census Bureau:
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(i) 40 percent or more of the population is nonwhite;
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(ii) 35 percent or more of the households have an income at or below 200 percent of the
federal poverty level; or
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(iii) 40 percent or more of the population over the age of five have limited English
proficiency; or
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(2) within Indian Country, as defined in United States Code, title 18, section 1151.
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