SF 698

Conference Committee Report - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/18/2015 10:55am

1.1CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON S.F. No. 698

1.2A bill for an act

1.3relating to natural resources; appropriating money from environment and natural
1.4resources trust fund; modifying provisions for Legislative-Citizen Commission
1.5on Minnesota Resources;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 116P.05,
1.6subdivision 2; 116P.08, subdivisions 5, 6, 7; 116P.09, subdivisions 6, 8.
1.7May 17, 2015
1.8The Honorable Sandra L. Pappas
1.9President of the Senate
1.10The Honorable Kurt L. Daudt
1.11Speaker of the House of Representatives
1.12We, the undersigned conferees for S.F. No. 698 report that we have agreed upon the
1.13items in dispute and recommend as follows:
1.14That the House recede from its amendments and that S.F. No. 698 be further
1.15amended as follows:
1.16Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

1.17	"Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.

1.18The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
1.19agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the
1.20environment and natural resources trust fund, or another named fund, and are available for
1.21the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2016" and "2017" used in this act
1.22mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June
1.2330, 2016, or June 30, 2017, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2016. "The second
1.24year" is fiscal year 2017. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

1.25				APPROPRIATIONS
1.26				Available for the Year
1.27				Ending June 30
1.28					2016		2017

1.29

Sec. 2. MINNESOTA RESOURCES.

2.1

Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation

$

46,383,000

$

-0-

2.2	Appropriations by Fund
2.3		2016	2017
2.4 2.5 2.6	Environment and natural resources trust fund	46,324,000	-0-
2.7 2.8	Great Lakes protection account	59,000	-0-

2.9The amounts that may be spent for each
2.10purpose are specified in the following
2.11subdivisions.
2.12Appropriations are available for two
2.13years beginning July 1, 2015, unless
2.14otherwise stated in the appropriation. Any
2.15unencumbered balance remaining in the
2.16first year does not cancel and is available
2.17for the second year or until the end of the
2.18appropriation.

2.19

Subd. 2.Definition

2.20"Trust fund" means the Minnesota
2.21environment and natural resources trust fund
2.22referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section
2.23116P.02, subdivision 6.

2.24 2.25

Subd. 3.Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information

12,932,000

-0-

2.26(a) County Geologic Atlases - Part A
2.27$2,040,000 the first year is from the trust fund
2.28to the Board of Regents of the University
2.29of Minnesota for the Minnesota Geological
2.30Survey to continue acceleration of the
2.31production of county geologic atlases for
2.32the purpose of sustainable management of
2.33surface water and groundwater resources.
2.34This appropriation is to complete Part A of
2.35county geologic atlases, which focuses on the
3.1properties and distribution of earth materials
3.2in order to define aquifer boundaries and the
3.3connection of aquifers to the land surface and
3.4surface water resources. This appropriation
3.5is available until June 30, 2018, by which
3.6time the project must be completed and final
3.7products delivered.
3.8(b) County Geologic Atlases - Part B
3.9$2,000,000 the first year is from the trust
3.10fund to the commissioner of natural resources
3.11to continue acceleration of the production of
3.12county geologic atlases for the purpose of
3.13sustainable management of surface water and
3.14groundwater resources. This appropriation
3.15is to complete Part B of county geologic
3.16atlases, which focuses on the properties
3.17and distribution of subsurface water found
3.18within geologic formations mapped in Part
3.19A in order to characterize the potential
3.20yield of aquifers and their sensitivity
3.21to contamination. This appropriation is
3.22available until June 30, 2018, by which time
3.23the project must be completed and final
3.24products delivered.
3.25(c) Minnesota Biological Survey
3.26$2,450,000 the first year is from the
3.27trust fund to the commissioner of natural
3.28resources for continuation of the Minnesota
3.29biological survey to provide a foundation
3.30for conserving biological diversity by
3.31systematically collecting, interpreting,
3.32monitoring, and delivering data on plant and
3.33animal distribution and ecology, native plant
3.34communities, and functional landscapes.
4.1(d) Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas for
4.2Enhanced Natural Resource Management
4.3$340,000 the first year is from the trust fund
4.4to the Board of Regents of the University of
4.5Minnesota for the Bell Museum of Natural
4.6History to create a publicly accessible, online
4.7tool and repository that will electronically
4.8integrate over 600,000 existing biodiversity
4.9records, 300,000 existing images, and future
4.10data and associated imagery pertaining to
4.11Minnesota wildlife, plant, and fungi species
4.12in order to enhance research, guide field
4.13surveys, and inform conservation planning.
4.14This appropriation is available until June
4.1530, 2018, by which time the project must be
4.16completed and final products delivered.
4.17(e) Updating the National Wetland
4.18Inventory for Minnesota - Phase V
4.19$1,500,000 the first year is from the
4.20trust fund to the commissioner of natural
4.21resources to continue to update and enhance
4.22wetland inventory maps for Minnesota. This
4.23appropriation is available until June 30,
4.242018, by which time the project must be
4.25completed and final products delivered.
4.26(f) Creating a Statewide Wetland Bird
4.27Monitoring Program
4.28$146,000 the first year is from the trust fund
4.29to the commissioner of natural resources for
4.30an agreement with Audubon Minnesota to
4.31develop a statewide wetland bird monitoring
4.32program to enable long-term monitoring of
4.33the status of wetland birds and the health of
4.34their wetland habitats. This appropriation
4.35is available until June 30, 2018, by which
5.1time the project must be completed and final
5.2products delivered.
5.3(g) Minnesota Native Bee Atlas
5.4$790,000 the first year is from the trust
5.5fund to the Board of Regents of the
5.6University of Minnesota to supplement
5.7and enhance existing bee survey efforts by
5.8engaging citizens in helping to document the
5.9distribution and phenology of wild Minnesota
5.10bees and integrating data from all related
5.11bee survey efforts into a single publicly
5.12accessible, online tool and repository. This
5.13appropriation is available until June 30,
5.142019, by which time the project must be
5.15completed and final products delivered.
5.16(h) Reintroduction and Interpretation of
5.17Bison in Minnesota State Parks
5.18$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund
5.19to the commissioner of natural resources to
5.20preserve American bison by reintroducing
5.21bison to Minneopa State Park and provide
5.22interpretive learning opportunities at Blue
5.23Mounds and Minneopa State Parks. This
5.24appropriation is available until June 30,
5.252018, by which time the project must be
5.26completed and final products delivered.
5.27(i) Endangered Bats, White-Nose
5.28Syndrome, and Forest Habitat
5.29$1,250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
5.30to the commissioner of natural resources in
5.31cooperation with the University of Minnesota
5.32and the United States Forest Service to
5.33survey and radio-track endangered bats to
5.34define and understand summer forest habitat
6.1use in order to minimize forestry impacts
6.2and mitigate white-nose syndrome disease
6.3impacts. This appropriation is available until
6.4June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
6.5be completed and final products delivered.
6.6(j) Assessing Contaminants in Minnesota
6.7Loons and Pelicans - Phase III
6.8$141,000 the first year is from the trust fund
6.9to the commissioner of natural resources
6.10to continue to assess the potential impact
6.11of petroleum, dispersants, and heavy metal
6.12contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon oil
6.13spill in the Gulf of Mexico on the wintering
6.14habitat of Minnesota's common loons
6.15and white pelicans using radiotelemetry,
6.16geolocators, and contaminant analysis.
6.17(k) Movement and Seasonal Habitat Use
6.18of Minnesota Elk
6.19$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
6.20to the commissioner of natural resources
6.21to collect biological information about
6.22Minnesota elk, including movements and
6.23habitat use to enable long-term, sustainable
6.24management. This appropriation is
6.25contingent on a $50,000 match from state
6.26or nonstate sources. This appropriation is
6.27available until June 30, 2018, by which time
6.28the project must be completed and final
6.29products delivered.
6.30(l) Genetic and Camera Techniques to
6.31Estimate Carnivore Populations
6.32$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
6.33to the Board of Regents of the University
6.34of Minnesota – Duluth for the Natural
7.1Resources Research Institute to use genetic
7.2sampling and remote cameras to improve
7.3monitoring of distributions and estimate
7.4population sizes of carnivore species.

7.5

(m) Aquatic and Terrestrial Reptile Habitat

7.6$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
7.7to the commissioner of natural resources
7.8for an agreement with the University of
7.9St. Thomas in cooperation with the Three
7.10Rivers Park District to analyze the aquatic
7.11and terrestrial habitat for certain reptile
7.12species in urban lakes and to make specific
7.13recommendations to protect and enhance the
7.14habitat. This appropriation is available until
7.15June 30, 2019, by which time the project must
7.16be completed and final products delivered.
7.17(n) Digitization of Historic Gullion Ruffed
7.18Grouse Research
7.19$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund
7.20to the commissioner of natural resources for
7.21an agreement with Central Lakes College
7.22to preserve the Gordon Gullion ruffed
7.23grouse data sets as permanent digital data
7.24files in order to improve accessibility to
7.25the information and inform forest wildlife
7.26conservation policies and practices.
7.27(o) Effects of Grazing Versus Fire for
7.28Prairie Management
7.29$414,000 the first year is from the trust fund
7.30to the Board of Regents of the University
7.31of Minnesota to compare the effects of
7.32conservation grazing and prescribed fire
7.33on tallgrass prairie plants and pollinators
7.34in Minnesota in order to inform and
8.1improve land management practices. This
8.2appropriation is available until June 30,
8.32018, by which time the project must be
8.4completed and final products delivered.
8.5(p) Assessing Ecological Impact of St.
8.6Anthony Falls Lock Closure
8.7$125,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
8.8the commissioner of natural resources for an
8.9agreement with the Minneapolis Riverfront
8.10Partnership to study the impact of altered
8.11river flow due to closure of the Upper Lock
8.12on the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls
8.13on the physical and biological characteristics
8.14of the river between the Coon Rapids Dam
8.15and Lock and Dam No. 1 in order to inform
8.16future river restoration efforts.
8.17(q) Foundational Dataset Characterizing
8.18Historic Forest Disturbance Impacts
8.19$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
8.20to the Board of Regents of the University
8.21of Minnesota to quantify forest disturbance
8.22impacts over the past forty years on water
8.23quality, wildlife demographics, and wood
8.24fiber supply in order to identify management
8.25strategies that better respond to disturbance
8.26impacts and improve and sustain forest
8.27resources. This appropriation is available
8.28until June 30, 2018, by which time the
8.29project must be completed and final products
8.30delivered.
8.31(r) Hydrologic Effects of Contemporary
8.32Forest Practices in Minnesota
8.33$150,000 the first year is from the trust
8.34fund to the Board of Regents of the
9.1University of Minnesota to install hydrologic
9.2monitoring stations to collect water quantity
9.3and quality data from lands managed for
9.4timber production to better understand the
9.5relationship between harvest practices and
9.6water resources and related responses to
9.7changing climate and other disturbance
9.8factors in order to inform forest management
9.9practices. This appropriation is available
9.10until June 30, 2018, by which time the
9.11project must be completed and final products
9.12delivered.
9.13(s) Habitat Mitigation for Goblin Fern
9.14Conservation
9.15$61,000 the first year is from the trust fund
9.16to the commissioner of natural resources for
9.17an agreement with the Leech Lake Band of
9.18Ojibwe to examine goblin fern populations, a
9.19threatened species in Minnesota, in relation
9.20to habitat degradation and to develop
9.21long-term habitat mitigation and species
9.22conservation strategies. This appropriation
9.23is available until June 30, 2018, by which
9.24time the project must be completed and final
9.25products delivered.

9.26

Subd. 4.Water Resources

3,065,000

-0-

9.27(a) Understanding Water Scarcity,
9.28Threats, and Values to Improve
9.29Management
9.30$234,000 the first year is from the trust fund
9.31to the Board of Regents of the University of
9.32Minnesota to model and map statewide water
9.33scarcity and abundance; assess water-related
9.34risks to industry, municipalities, and
9.35ecosystems; and quantify the economic
10.1values of changes in water quality and
10.2quantity in order to inform long-term water
10.3sustainability strategies. This appropriation
10.4is available until June 30, 2018, by which
10.5time the project must be completed and final
10.6products delivered.
10.7(b) Biofilm Technology for Water Nutrient
10.8Removal
10.9$281,000 the first year is from the trust fund
10.10to the Board of Regents of the University
10.11of Minnesota to develop a simulated lichen
10.12biofilm system that can be used to remove
10.13pollutants and recycle nutrients from storm
10.14water runoff and polluted lakes, ponds, and
10.15lagoons. This appropriation is subject to
10.16Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
10.17appropriation is available until June 30,
10.182018, by which time the project must be
10.19completed and final products delivered.
10.20(c) Biological Consequences of Septic
10.21Pollution in Minnesota Lakes
10.22$364,000 the first year is from the trust fund
10.23to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota
10.24State Colleges and Universities system for
10.25St. Cloud State University to assess the
10.26presence of possible sources of contaminants
10.27of emerging concern in Minnesota lakes
10.28in order to determine their effects on fish
10.29health, understand the potential contribution
10.30from septic systems, and inform options
10.31for remediation and prevention to protect
10.32Minnesota lakes from these contaminants in
10.33the future. This appropriation is available
10.34until June 30, 2018, by which time the
11.1project must be completed and final products
11.2delivered.
11.3(d) Preventing Phosphorous from Entering
11.4Water Resources through Drain Tiles
11.5$505,000 the first year is from the trust
11.6fund to the Board of Regents of the
11.7University of Minnesota to develop a new
11.8nanocomposite material made from biomass
11.9that is designed to adsorb phosphorus,
11.10nitrogen, and pesticides from storm water
11.11and drain tile runoff discharge for recycling
11.12back to agricultural lands. This appropriation
11.13is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
11.14116P.10.
11.15(e) Southeast Minnesota Cover Crop and
11.16Soil Health Initiatives
11.17$253,000 the first year is from the trust fund
11.18to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to
11.19promote cover crops as a means of protecting
11.20soil and water quality in southeastern
11.21Minnesota through training and education
11.22for local practitioners, economic analysis of
11.23implementation, and on-farm demonstration
11.24sites. This effort must be coordinated with
11.25the University of Minnesota Forever Green
11.26Initiative. This appropriation is available
11.27until June 30, 2018, by which time the
11.28project must be completed and final products
11.29delivered.
11.30(f) Southeast Minnesota Subsurface
11.31Drainage Impacts on Groundwater
11.32Recharge
11.33$488,000 the first year is from the trust fund
11.34to the commissioner of natural resources
12.1for an agreement with the United States
12.2Geological Survey to assess the relationship
12.3between agricultural drainage and water
12.4flow within the unique karst geology of
12.5southeast Minnesota to characterize the
12.6potential impacts of drainage on groundwater
12.7recharge and groundwater sustainability in
12.8the region. This appropriation is not subject
12.9to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
12.10appropriation is available until June 30,
12.112019, by which time the project must be
12.12completed and final products delivered.
12.13(g) Using Hydroacoustics to Monitor
12.14Sediment in Minnesota Rivers
12.15$455,000 the first year is from the trust fund
12.16to the commissioner of natural resources
12.17for an agreement with the United States
12.18Geological Survey to install hydroacoustic
12.19equipment on the lower Minnesota and
12.20Mississippi Rivers to improve measurement
12.21and monitoring accuracy for suspended
12.22sediment and enhance ongoing sediment
12.23reduction efforts by state, federal, and local
12.24agencies. This appropriation is not subject
12.25to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
12.26appropriation is available until June 30,
12.272019, by which time the project must be
12.28completed and final products delivered.
12.29(h) Assessment of Irrigation Efficiencies in
12.30Benton County
12.31$431,000 the first year is from the trust fund
12.32to the commissioner of natural resources
12.33for an agreement with Benton Soil and
12.34Water Conservation District to develop and
12.35implement a decision support system to
13.1increase irrigation efficiencies and provide
13.2outreach on irrigation best management
13.3practices. Software developed with this
13.4appropriation must be available in the public
13.5domain. Project efforts should be coordinated
13.6with the Department of Natural Resources.
13.7This appropriation is available until June
13.830, 2019, by which time the project must be
13.9completed and final products delivered.
13.10(i) Shoreview Water Consumption and
13.11Groundwater Awareness Project
13.12$54,000 the first year is from the trust fund
13.13to the commissioner of natural resources for
13.14an agreement with the city of Shoreview
13.15to provide biweekly water consumption
13.16data to at least 400 residential households
13.17for a two-year period to determine whether
13.18additional groundwater can be conserved
13.19with greater awareness of consumption data.
13.20This appropriation is available until June
13.2130, 2018, by which time the project must be
13.22completed and final products delivered.

13.23

Subd. 5.Environmental Education

1,004,000

-0-

13.24(a) Trap Shooting Sports Facility Grants
13.25$132,000 the first year is from the trust fund
13.26to the commissioner of natural resources
13.27for trap shooting sports facility grants under
13.28Minnesota Statutes, section 87A.10.
13.29(b) Connecting Students with Watersheds
13.30through Hands-On Learning
13.31$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
13.32the commissioner of natural resources for an
13.33agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
13.34to provide hands-on learning focused on
14.1water quality, groundwater, aquatic life,
14.2and watershed health stewardship. This
14.3appropriation is available until June 30,
14.42018, by which time the project must be
14.5completed and final products delivered.
14.6(c) Zumbro River Watershed Recreational
14.7Learning Stewardship Sites
14.8$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
14.9to the commissioner of natural resources for
14.10an agreement with the Zumbro Watershed
14.11Partnership to develop at least six recreational
14.12and educational sites on the Zumbro River
14.13with water quality demonstration elements
14.14and interpretative signage designed to
14.15encourage adoption of water protection
14.16practices. No more than 15 percent of this
14.17appropriation may be spent on site and
14.18construction consultation, planning, and
14.19design. Any plantings or restoration activities
14.20conducted with this appropriation must use
14.21native plant species according to the Board of
14.22Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
14.23establishment and enhancement guidelines.
14.24This appropriation is available until June
14.2530, 2018, by which time the project must be
14.26completed and final products delivered.
14.27(d) Students Engaging Local Watersheds
14.28Using Mobile Technologies
14.29$147,000 the first year is from the trust fund
14.30to the commissioner of natural resources
14.31for an agreement with Twin Cities Public
14.32Television to deliver an experiential,
14.33project-based educational program using
14.34mobile technologies to empower at least 200
14.35middle school students in 4-H programs to
15.1engage in understanding and protecting local
15.2water resources.
15.3(e) Mississippi River Water Journey
15.4Camps
15.5$25,000 the first year is from the trust fund
15.6to the Board of Regents of the University of
15.7Minnesota to design and pilot two week-long
15.8summer camps for youth ages 6 to 11 focused
15.9around clean water and the Mississippi
15.10River and designed to get children outdoors
15.11exploring and engaged with the natural
15.12environment and creating educational
15.13materials to help their communities protect
15.14water quality.

15.15 15.16

Subd. 6.Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species

6,071,000

-0-

15.17(a) Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants
15.18and Pests Center
15.19$5,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
15.20to the Board of Regents of the University
15.21of Minnesota for the Invasive Terrestrial
15.22Plants and Pests Center established in Laws
15.232014, chapter 312, article 13, section 44,
15.24to conduct research to prevent, minimize,
15.25and mitigate the threats and impacts posed
15.26by invasive plants, pathogens, and pests to
15.27the state's prairies, forests, wetlands, and
15.28agricultural resources. This appropriation
15.29is available until June 30, 2023, by which
15.30time the project must be completed and final
15.31products delivered.
15.32(b) Emerald Ash Borer Ecological and
15.33Hydrological Impacts - Phase II
16.1$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
16.2to the Board of Regents of the University
16.3of Minnesota to assess the potential impacts
16.4of emerald ash borer on Minnesota black
16.5ash forests and quantify potential impacts
16.6on native forest vegetation, invasive species
16.7spread, and hydrology. This appropriation
16.8is available until June 30, 2020, by which
16.9time the project must be completed and final
16.10products delivered.
16.11(c) Biological Control of Canada Thistle
16.12$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
16.13to the Board of Regents of the University of
16.14Minnesota to develop a biological control for
16.15Canada thistle, an invasive plant species in
16.16Minnesota. This appropriation is available
16.17until June 30, 2018, by which time the
16.18project must be completed and final products
16.19delivered.
16.20(d) Preventing New Disease of Pines in
16.21Minnesota
16.22$371,000 the first year is from the trust fund
16.23to the Board of Regents of the University of
16.24Minnesota to establish early detection for
16.25heterobasidion, an invasive root rot fungus,
16.26and develop efforts to prevent its spread
16.27and reduce its impact. This appropriation
16.28is available until June 30, 2018, by which
16.29time the project must be completed and final
16.30products delivered.

16.31 16.32

Subd. 7.Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy

2,268,000

-0-

16.33(a) Renewable and Sustainable Fertilizers
16.34Produced Locally
17.1$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
17.2to the Board of Regents of the University
17.3of Minnesota for the Morris West Central
17.4Research and Outreach Center and Twin
17.5Cities Campus to develop and demonstrate
17.6new technologies aimed at enabling
17.7renewable and sustainable production of
17.8ammonia for fertilizer in a localized manner.
17.9This appropriation is subject to Minnesota
17.10Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation
17.11is available until June 30, 2018, by which
17.12time the project must be completed and final
17.13products delivered.
17.14(b) Reducing Emissions from Open
17.15Burning through Biomass Gasification
17.16$268,000 the first year is from the trust
17.17fund to the Board of Regents of the
17.18University of Minnesota in cooperation with
17.19the Department of Natural Resources to
17.20characterize and promote distributed biomass
17.21gasification of wood waste as a means for
17.22producing renewable and sustainable energy
17.23in rural areas through a demonstration at the
17.24Department of Natural Resources regional
17.25office facility in New Ulm.
17.26(c) Building Deconstruction to Reduce
17.27Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Solid
17.28Waste
17.29$845,000 the first year is from the trust fund
17.30to the commissioner of natural resources for
17.31an agreement with Better Futures Minnesota
17.32in cooperation with the Northwest Indian
17.33Opportunities Industrialization Center
17.34and $155,000 the first year is from the
17.35trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
18.1University of Minnesota – Duluth for the
18.2Natural Resources Research Institute to
18.3develop and test a model for implementing
18.4building deconstruction and material reuse
18.5as a competitive alternative to demolition
18.6for the purpose of reducing greenhouse
18.7gas emissions, reducing landfill waste, and
18.8providing job training. The project report
18.9must quantify and document greenhouse gas
18.10emissions reductions resulting from specific
18.11deconstruction techniques and materials
18.12reuses.

18.13 18.14

Subd. 8.Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat

4,646,000

-0-

18.15	Appropriations by Fund
18.16 18.17 18.18	Environment and natural resources trust fund	4,587,000	-0-
18.19 18.20	Great Lakes protection account	59,000	-0-

18.21(a) Prioritizing Future Management of
18.22North Shore Trout Streams
18.23$357,000 the first year is from the trust fund
18.24and $59,000 the first year is from the Great
18.25Lakes protection account to the Board of
18.26Regents of the University of Minnesota –
18.27Duluth for the Natural Resources Research
18.28Institute to identify key areas in North Shore
18.29streams that supply the cold groundwater
18.30essential to sustaining trout fisheries, in order
18.31to focus habitat restoration, protection, and
18.32management efforts on the areas that are
18.33most essential for long-term stream health
18.34and sustainability. This appropriation is
18.35available until June 30, 2018, by which time
18.36the project must be completed and final
18.37products delivered.
19.1(b) Propagating Native Plants and
19.2Restoring Diverse Habitats
19.3$495,000 the first year is from the trust fund
19.4to the commissioner of natural resources
19.5for an agreement with the Martin County
19.6Soil and Water Conservation District for a
19.7cooperative 13-county effort by Blue Earth,
19.8Brown, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Faribault,
19.9Freeborn, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Martin,
19.10Nicollet, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties to
19.11protect and expand native forest and prairie
19.12habitat for species in greatest conservation
19.13need in four regions of the state through
19.14collection and propagation of local ecotype
19.15native plants, habitat restoration efforts, and
19.16educational outreach. This appropriation
19.17is available until June 30, 2020, by which
19.18time the project must be completed and final
19.19products delivered.
19.20(c) Preserving and Protecting Minnesota
19.21Native Orchid Species
19.22$167,000 the first year is from the trust fund
19.23to the Board of Regents of the University
19.24of Minnesota for the Minnesota Landscape
19.25Arboretum for propagation and cultivation
19.26research to enable long-term conservation
19.27of at least 15 selected species of the 48
19.28native orchid species in Minnesota. This
19.29appropriation is available until June 30,
19.302018, by which time the project must be
19.31completed and final products delivered.
19.32(d) Acceleration of Minnesota
19.33Conservation Assistance – Final Phase
19.34$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust
19.35fund to the Board of Water and Soil
20.1Resources for the final phase of a pilot
20.2program to provide grants to soil and water
20.3conservation districts and other units of local
20.4and state government for employment of
20.5staff to provide technical assistance to secure
20.6enrollment and retention of private lands
20.7in federal and state conservation programs.
20.8This appropriation is available until June
20.930, 2018, by which time the project must be
20.10completed and final products delivered.
20.11(e) Metro Conservation Corridors -
20.12Phase VIII Prairie, Forest, and Savanna
20.13Restoration
20.14$276,000 the first year is from the trust fund
20.15to the commissioner of natural resources
20.16for an agreement with the Friends of the
20.17Mississippi River for Phase VIII of the
20.18Metro Conservation Corridors partnership
20.19to conduct restoration activities on at least
20.20195 acres of forest and savanna and at least
20.2160 acres of prairie to preserve and increase
20.22wildlife habitat in the metropolitan area, as
20.23defined under Minnesota Statutes, section
20.24473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the
20.25surrounding counties. Expenditures are
20.26limited to the identified project corridor
20.27areas as defined in the work plan. A list
20.28of proposed restorations must be provided
20.29as part of the required work plan. This
20.30appropriation is available until June 30,
20.312018, by which time the project must be
20.32completed and final products delivered.
20.33(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
20.34VIII Enhancing Restoration Techniques
21.1for Improved Climate Resilience and
21.2Pollinator Conservation
21.3$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
21.4to the commissioner of natural resources for
21.5an agreement with Great River Greening
21.6for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
21.7Corridors partnership to pilot and evaluate
21.8innovative restoration techniques aimed
21.9at improving the resilience of bur oak
21.10communities to changing climate conditions
21.11and enhancing prairie management to benefit
21.12pollinators with the help and engagement
21.13of citizen volunteers. Expenditures on
21.14restoration efforts are limited to the identified
21.15project corridor areas as defined in the work
21.16plan. A list of proposed restorations must be
21.17provided as part of the required work plan.
21.18This appropriation is available until June 30,
21.192018, by which point the project must be
21.20completed and final products delivered.
21.21(g) Minnesota State University Moorhead
21.22Prairie and Riparian Restoration and
21.23Monitoring
21.24$527,000 the first year is from the trust fund
21.25to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota
21.26State Colleges and Universities system
21.27for Minnesota State University Moorhead
21.28in cooperation with the Department of
21.29Natural Resources to restore and monitor
21.30160 acres of prairie and riparian habitat
21.31and develop and disseminate monitoring
21.32protocols. This appropriation is contingent
21.33upon the donation of a 60-acre parcel to
21.34Minnesota State University Moorhead from
21.35the Minnesota State University Moorhead
22.1Alumni Foundation and is available until
22.2June 30, 2020, by which time the project must
22.3be completed and final products delivered.
22.4(h) Improving Community Forests
22.5Through Citizen Engagement
22.6$800,000 the first year is from the trust fund
22.7to the commissioner of natural resources
22.8to design and pilot a program, including
22.9grants to communities, to mobilize citizen
22.10volunteers to protect, improve, and maintain
22.11local forests in communities around the state.
22.12Participation is open to any municipality in
22.13the state and participating municipalities will
22.14be selected through a competitive proposal
22.15process that will include representation from
22.16both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan
22.17areas of the state. Trees planted using this
22.18appropriation must be species that are native
22.19to Minnesota. A participating municipality
22.20must provide a match of not less than 25
22.21percent, up to half of which may be in the
22.22form of in-kind support. This appropriation
22.23is available until June 30, 2018, by which
22.24time the project must be completed and final
22.25products delivered.
22.26(i) Flood Recovery on Sargent Creek in
22.27Duluth
22.28$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
22.29to the commissioner of natural resources
22.30for an agreement with the city of Duluth to
22.31re-establish stable and natural streambanks
22.32with riparian and aquatic habitat restoration
22.33on at least 5,400 linear feet of Sargent Creek
22.34in Duluth destroyed during the flood of 2012.
23.1(j) Shoreland Protection for Lower St.
23.2Croix River
23.3$190,000 the first year is from the trust fund
23.4to the commissioner of natural resources
23.5for an agreement with the St. Croix River
23.6Association to provide technical assistance
23.7to landowners, local governments, realtors,
23.8and developers on shoreland conservation
23.9and protection of the lower St. Croix River.
23.10This appropriation is available until June
23.1130, 2018, by which time the project must be
23.12completed and final products delivered.
23.13(k) Redwood and Renville Counties
23.14Outdoor Recreation and Conservation
23.15Master Plan
23.16$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund
23.17to the commissioner of natural resources
23.18for an agreement with Renville County
23.19in cooperation with Redwood County to
23.20develop a joint outdoor recreation and
23.21conservation master plan to guide future
23.22development and protect cultural, historical,
23.23and natural resources in the Minnesota River
23.24Valley.

23.25 23.26

Subd. 9.Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation

14,190,000

-0-

23.27(a) State Parks and Trails Land
23.28Acquisitions
23.29$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust
23.30fund to the commissioner of natural resources
23.31to acquire at least 335 acres for authorized
23.32state trails and critical parcels within the
23.33statutory boundaries of state parks. State
23.34park land acquired with this appropriation
23.35must be sufficiently improved to meet at
24.1least minimum management standards, as
24.2determined by the commissioner of natural
24.3resources. A list of proposed acquisitions
24.4must be provided as part of the required work
24.5plan. This appropriation is available until
24.6June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
24.7be completed and final products delivered.
24.8(b) Metropolitan Regional Park System
24.9Land Acquisition – Phase IV
24.10$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust
24.11fund to the Metropolitan Council for grants
24.12to acquire at least 133 acres of lands within
24.13the approved park unit boundaries of the
24.14metropolitan regional park system. This
24.15appropriation may not be used to purchase
24.16habitable residential structures. A list of
24.17proposed fee title and easement acquisitions
24.18must be provided as part of the required work
24.19plan. This appropriation must be matched
24.20by at least 40 percent of nonstate money that
24.21must be committed by December 31, 2015, or
24.22the appropriation cancels. This appropriation
24.23is available until June 30, 2018, by which
24.24time the project must be completed and final
24.25products delivered.
24.26(c) SNA Acquisition, Restoration,
24.27Enhancement, and Public Engagement
24.28$4,000,000 the first year is from the trust
24.29fund to the commissioner of natural resources
24.30to acquire at least 350 acres of lands with
24.31high-quality native plant communities and
24.32rare features to be established as scientific
24.33and natural areas as provided in Minnesota
24.34Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5,
24.35restore and improve at least 550 acres of
25.1scientific and natural areas, and provide
25.2technical assistance and outreach. A list of
25.3proposed acquisitions must be provided as
25.4part of the required work plan. Land acquired
25.5with this appropriation must be sufficiently
25.6improved to meet at least minimum
25.7management standards, as determined by
25.8the commissioner of natural resources. This
25.9appropriation is available until June 30,
25.102018, by which time the project must be
25.11completed and final products delivered.
25.12(d) Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie
25.13Bank Easement Acquisition
25.14$3,325,000 the first year is from the trust
25.15fund to the commissioner of natural resources
25.16to acquire native prairie bank easements on
25.17at least 675 acres, prepare baseline property
25.18assessments, restore and enhance at least
25.191,000 acres of native prairie sites, and provide
25.20technical assistance to landowners. Of this
25.21amount, up to $135,000 must be deposited
25.22in a conservation easement stewardship
25.23account. Deposits into the conservation
25.24easement stewardship account must be made
25.25upon closing on conservation easements or at
25.26a time otherwise approved in the work plan.
25.27A list of proposed easement acquisitions must
25.28be provided as part of the required work plan.
25.29This appropriation is available until June
25.3030, 2018, by which time the project must be
25.31completed and final products delivered.
25.32(e) Metro Conservation Corridors -
25.33Phase VIII Coordination, Mapping, and
25.34Conservation Easements
26.1$515,000 the first year is from the trust fund
26.2to the commissioner of natural resources
26.3for an agreement with the Minnesota
26.4Land Trust for Phase VIII of the Metro
26.5Conservation Corridors partnership to
26.6provide coordination and mapping for
26.7the partnership and to acquire permanent
26.8conservation easements on at least 120 acres
26.9of strategic ecological landscapes to protect
26.10priority natural areas in the metropolitan
26.11area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes,
26.12section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions
26.13of the surrounding counties. A list of
26.14proposed easement acquisitions must be
26.15provided as part of the required work plan.
26.16Land acquired with this appropriation
26.17must be sufficiently improved to meet at
26.18least minimum management standards, as
26.19determined by the commissioner of natural
26.20resources. Expenditures are limited to the
26.21identified project corridor areas as defined in
26.22the work plan. Up to $40,000 may be used
26.23for coordination and mapping for the Metro
26.24Conservation Corridors. All conservation
26.25easements must be perpetual and have a
26.26natural resource management plan. A list
26.27of proposed easement acquisitions must be
26.28provided as part of the required work plan.
26.29This appropriation is available June 30, 2018,
26.30by which time the project must be completed
26.31and final products delivered.
26.32(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
26.33VIII Strategic Lands Protection
26.34$750,000 the first year is from the trust fund
26.35to the commissioner of natural resources for
26.36an agreement with The Trust for Public Land
27.1for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
27.2Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at
27.3least 35 acres of high-quality priority state
27.4and local natural areas in the metropolitan
27.5area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes,
27.6section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions
27.7of the surrounding counties. A list of
27.8proposed acquisitions must be provided as
27.9part of the required work plan. Land acquired
27.10with this appropriation must be sufficiently
27.11improved to meet at least minimum
27.12management standards, as determined by
27.13the commissioner of natural resources.
27.14Expenditures are limited to the identified
27.15project corridor areas as defined in the work
27.16plan. This appropriation may not be used
27.17to purchase habitable residential structures,
27.18unless expressly approved in the work
27.19plan. A list of fee title acquisitions must be
27.20provided as part of the required work plan.
27.21This appropriation is available until June
27.2230, 2018, by which time the project must be
27.23completed and final products delivered.
27.24(g) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
27.25VIII Priority Expansion of Minnesota
27.26Valley National Wildlife Refuge
27.27$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
27.28to the commissioner of natural resources
27.29for an agreement with the Minnesota Valley
27.30National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. for
27.31Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
27.32Corridors partnership to acquire in fee
27.33at least 100 acres of priority habitat for
27.34the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife
27.35Refuge in the metropolitan area, as defined
27.36under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121,
28.1subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding
28.2counties. A list of proposed acquisitions
28.3must be provided as part of the required work
28.4plan. Land acquired with this appropriation
28.5must be sufficiently improved to meet at
28.6least minimum management standards.
28.7Expenditures are limited to the identified
28.8project corridor areas as defined in the work
28.9plan. This appropriation may not be used
28.10to purchase habitable residential structures,
28.11unless expressly approved in the work plan.
28.12This appropriation is available until June
28.1330, 2018, by which time the project must be
28.14completed and final products delivered.
28.15(h) Metro Conservation Corridors -
28.16Phase VIII Wildlife Management Area
28.17Acquisition
28.18$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
28.19to the commissioner of natural resources
28.20for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
28.21Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at
28.22least 82 acres along the lower reaches of the
28.23Vermillion River in Dakota County within
28.24the Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area.
28.25Land acquired with this appropriation must
28.26be sufficiently improved to meet at least
28.27minimum management standards. This
28.28appropriation may not be used to purchase
28.29habitable residential structures, unless
28.30expressly approved in the work plan. This
28.31appropriation is available until June 30,
28.322018, by which time the project must be
28.33completed and final products delivered.
28.34(i) Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to
28.35Ely – Phase II
29.1$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust
29.2fund to the commissioner of natural resources
29.3for an agreement with the St. Louis and
29.4Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
29.5for the right-of-way acquisition, design,
29.6and construction of segments of the Mesabi
29.7Trail, totaling approximately seven miles
29.8between Soudan and Ely. This appropriation
29.9is available until June 30, 2018, by which
29.10time the project must be completed and final
29.11products delivered.
29.12(j) Multi-benefit Watershed Scale
29.13Conservation on North Central Lakes
29.14$950,000 the first year is from the trust fund
29.15to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to
29.16secure permanent conservation easements
29.17on at least 480 acres of high-quality habitat
29.18in Crow Wing and Cass Counties. Of this
29.19amount, up to $65,000 must be deposited in a
29.20conservation easement stewardship account;
29.21and $54,000 is for an agreement with the
29.22Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation in
29.23cooperation with Crow Wing County Soil
29.24and Water Conservation District and Cass
29.25County Soil and Water Conservation District.
29.26Deposits into the conservation easement
29.27stewardship account must be made upon
29.28closing on conservation easements or at a
29.29time otherwise approved in the work plan. A
29.30list of proposed easement acquisitions must
29.31be provided as part of the required work plan.
29.32This appropriation is available until June
29.3330, 2018, by which time the project must be
29.34completed and final products delivered.
30.1(k) Conservation Easement Assessment
30.2and Valuation System Development
30.3$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
30.4to the Board of Regents of the University
30.5of Minnesota to assess the effectiveness of
30.6existing conservation easements acquired
30.7through state expenditures at achieving
30.8their intended outcomes of public value
30.9and ecological benefits and to develop
30.10a standardized, objective conservation
30.11easement valuation system for guiding future
30.12state investments in conservation easements
30.13to ensure the proposed environmental
30.14benefits are being achieved in a cost-effective
30.15manner. This appropriation is available until
30.16June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
30.17be completed and final products delivered.

30.18

Subd. 10.Emerging Issues Account

1,000,000

-0-

30.19$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
30.20to an emerging issues account authorized
30.21in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.08,
30.22subdivision 4, paragraph (d).

30.23 30.24

Subd. 11.Administration and Contract Agreement Reimbursement

1,207,000

-0-

30.25(a) Legislative-Citizen Commission on
30.26Minnesota Resources
30.27$1,072,000 the first year is from the trust
30.28fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission
30.29on Minnesota Resources for administration
30.30in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 as provided
30.31in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09,
30.32subdivision 5.
30.33(b) Contract Agreement Reimbursement
31.1$135,000 the first year is from the trust fund
31.2to the commissioner of natural resources
31.3at the direction of the Legislative-Citizen
31.4Commission on Minnesota Resources for
31.5expenses incurred for contract agreement
31.6reimbursement for the agreements specified
31.7in this section. The commissioner
31.8shall provide documentation to the
31.9Legislative-Citizen Commission on
31.10Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of
31.11these funds.

31.12

Subd. 12.Availability of Appropriations

31.13Money appropriated in this section may
31.14not be spent on activities unless they are
31.15directly related to and necessary for a specific
31.16appropriation and are specified in the work
31.17plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen
31.18Commission on Minnesota Resources.
31.19Money appropriated in this section must
31.20not be spent on indirect costs or other
31.21institutional overhead charges that are
31.22not directly related to and necessary for
31.23a specific appropriation. Costs that are
31.24directly related to and necessary for an
31.25appropriation, including financial services,
31.26human resources, information services, rent,
31.27and utilities, are eligible only if the costs
31.28can be clearly justified and individually
31.29documented specific to the appropriation's
31.30purpose and would not be generated by
31.31the recipient but for the receipt of the
31.32appropriation. No broad allocations for costs
31.33in either dollars or percentages are allowed.
31.34Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in
31.35this section are available until June 30, 2017,
31.36when projects must be completed and final
32.1products delivered. For acquisition of real
32.2property, the appropriations in this section
32.3are available for an additional fiscal year if a
32.4binding contract for acquisition of the real
32.5property is entered into before the original
32.6expiration date of the appropriation. If a
32.7project receives a federal grant, the time
32.8period of the appropriation is extended to
32.9equal the federal grant period.

32.10

Subd. 13.Data Availability Requirements

32.11Data collected by the projects funded under
32.12this section must conform to guidelines
32.13and standards adopted by MN.IT Services.
32.14Spatial data also must conform to additional
32.15guidelines and standards designed to support
32.16data coordination and distribution that have
32.17been published by the Minnesota Geospatial
32.18Information Office. Descriptions of spatial
32.19data must be prepared as specified in
32.20the state's geographic metadata guideline
32.21and must be submitted to the Minnesota
32.22Geospatial Information Office. All data must
32.23be accessible and free to the public unless
32.24made private under the Data Practices Act,
32.25Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. To the extent
32.26practicable, summary data and results of
32.27projects funded under this section should
32.28be readily accessible on the Internet and
32.29identified as having received funding from
32.30the environment and natural resources trust
32.31fund.

32.32

Subd. 14.Project Requirements

32.33(a) As a condition of accepting an
32.34appropriation under this section, an agency
32.35or entity receiving an appropriation or a
33.1party to an agreement from an appropriation
33.2must comply with paragraphs (b) to (l)
33.3and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P, and
33.4must submit a work plan and semiannual
33.5progress reports in the form determined
33.6by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
33.7Minnesota Resources for any project funded
33.8in whole or in part with funds from the
33.9appropriation. Modifications to the approved
33.10work plan and budget expenditures must
33.11be made through the amendment process
33.12established by the Legislative-Citizen
33.13Commission on Minnesota Resources.
33.14(b) A recipient of money appropriated in
33.15this section that conducts a restoration using
33.16funds appropriated in this section must use
33.17native plant species according to the Board of
33.18Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
33.19establishment and enhancement guidelines
33.20and include an appropriate diversity of
33.21native species selected to provide habitat for
33.22pollinators throughout the growing season as
33.23required under Minnesota Statutes, section
33.2484.973.
33.25(c) For all restorations conducted with money
33.26appropriated under this section, a recipient
33.27must prepare an ecological restoration
33.28and management plan that, to the degree
33.29practicable, is consistent with the highest
33.30quality conservation and ecological goals for
33.31the restoration site. Consideration should
33.32be given to soil, geology, topography, and
33.33other relevant factors that would provide
33.34the best chance for long-term success and
33.35durability of the restoration projects. The
33.36plan must include the proposed timetable
34.1for implementing the restoration, including
34.2site preparation, establishment of diverse
34.3plant species, maintenance, and additional
34.4enhancement to establish the restoration;
34.5identify long-term maintenance and
34.6management needs of the restoration and
34.7how the maintenance, management, and
34.8enhancement will be financed; and take
34.9advantage of the best available science and
34.10include innovative techniques to achieve the
34.11best restoration.
34.12(d) An entity receiving an appropriation in
34.13this section for restoration activities must
34.14provide an initial restoration evaluation
34.15at the completion of the appropriation
34.16and an evaluation three years beyond the
34.17completion of the expenditure. Restorations
34.18must be evaluated relative to the stated
34.19goals and standards in the restoration plan,
34.20current science, and, when applicable, the
34.21Board of Water and Soil Resources' native
34.22vegetation establishment and enhancement
34.23guidelines. The evaluation must determine
34.24whether the restorations are meeting planned
34.25goals, identify any problems with the
34.26implementation of the restorations, and,
34.27if necessary, give recommendations on
34.28improving restorations. The evaluation must
34.29be focused on improving future restorations.
34.30(e) All restoration and enhancement projects
34.31funded with money appropriated in this
34.32section must be on land permanently
34.33protected by a conservation easement or
34.34public ownership.
35.1(f) A recipient of money from an
35.2appropriation under this section must
35.3give consideration to contracting with
35.4Conservation Corps Minnesota for contract
35.5restoration and enhancement services.
35.6(g) All conservation easements acquired with
35.7money appropriated under this section must:
35.8(1) be permanent;
35.9(2) specify the parties to an easement in the
35.10easement;
35.11(3) specify all of the provisions of an
35.12agreement that are permanent;
35.13(4) be sent to the Legislative-Citizen
35.14Commission on Minnesota Resources in an
35.15electronic format at least ten business days
35.16prior to closing;
35.17(5) include a long-term monitoring and
35.18enforcement plan and funding for monitoring
35.19and enforcing the easement agreement; and
35.20(6) include requirements in the easement
35.21document to address specific groundwater
35.22and surface water quality protection activities
35.23such as keeping water on the landscape,
35.24reducing nutrient and contaminant loading,
35.25protecting groundwater, and not permitting
35.26artificial hydrological modifications.
35.27(h) For any acquisition of lands or interest
35.28in lands, a recipient of money appropriated
35.29under this section shall not agree to pay
35.30more than 100 percent of the appraised value
35.31for a parcel of land using this money to
35.32complete the purchase, in part or in whole,
35.33except that up to ten percent above the
35.34appraised value may be allowed to complete
36.1the purchase, in part or in whole, using this
36.2money if permission is received in advance
36.3of the purchase from the Legislative-Citizen
36.4Commission on Minnesota Resources.
36.5(i) For any acquisition of land or interest in
36.6land, a recipient of money appropriated under
36.7this section must give priority to high-quality
36.8natural resources or conservation lands that
36.9provide natural buffers to water resources.
36.10(j) For new lands acquired with money
36.11appropriated under this section, a recipient
36.12must prepare an ecological restoration
36.13and management plan in compliance with
36.14paragraph (c), including sufficient funding
36.15for implementation unless the work plan
36.16addresses why a portion of the money is
36.17not necessary to achieve a high-quality
36.18restoration.
36.19(k) To ensure public accountability for
36.20the use of public funds, within 60 days
36.21of the transaction, a recipient of money
36.22appropriated under this section must provide
36.23to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
36.24Minnesota Resources documentation of the
36.25selection process used to identify parcels
36.26acquired and provide documentation of all
36.27related transaction costs, including but not
36.28limited to appraisals, legal fees, recording
36.29fees, commissions, other similar costs,
36.30and donations. This information must be
36.31provided for all parties involved in the
36.32transaction. The recipient must also report
36.33to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
36.34Minnesota Resources any difference between
36.35the acquisition amount paid to the seller and
37.1the state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal,
37.2if a state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal
37.3was conducted.
37.4(l) A recipient of an appropriation from
37.5the trust fund under this section must
37.6acknowledge financial support from
37.7the Minnesota environment and natural
37.8resources trust fund in project publications,
37.9signage, and other public communications
37.10and outreach related to work completed
37.11using the appropriation. Acknowledgment
37.12may occur, as appropriate, through use of
37.13the trust fund logo or inclusion of language
37.14attributing support from the trust fund. Each
37.15direct recipient of money appropriated in
37.16this section, as well as each recipient of a
37.17grant awarded pursuant to this section, must
37.18satisfy all reporting and other requirements
37.19incumbent upon constitutionally dedicated
37.20funding recipients as provided in Minnesota
37.21Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10, and
37.22chapter 116P.

37.23 37.24

Subd. 15.Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures

37.25(a) All agreements, grants, or contracts
37.26referred to in this section must be
37.27administered on a reimbursement basis
37.28unless otherwise provided in this section.
37.29Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
37.3016A.41, expenditures made on or after
37.31July 1, 2015, or the date the work plan is
37.32approved, whichever is later, are eligible for
37.33reimbursement unless otherwise provided
37.34in this section. Periodic payment must be
37.35made upon receiving documentation that
37.36the deliverable items articulated in the
38.1approved work plan have been achieved,
38.2including partial achievements as evidenced
38.3by approved progress reports. Reasonable
38.4amounts may be advanced to projects to
38.5accommodate cash flow needs or match
38.6federal money. The advances must be
38.7approved as part of the work plan. No
38.8expenditures for capital equipment are
38.9allowed unless expressly authorized in the
38.10project work plan.
38.11(b) Single source contracts as specified in the
38.12approved work plan are allowed.

38.13 38.14

Subd. 16.Purchase of Recycled and Recyclable Materials

38.15A political subdivision, public or private
38.16corporation, or other entity that receives an
38.17appropriation under this section must use the
38.18appropriation in compliance with Minnesota
38.19Statutes, section 16C.0725, regarding
38.20purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable
38.21materials; and Minnesota Statutes, section
38.2216C.073, regarding purchase and use of
38.23paper stock and printing.

38.24 38.25

Subd. 17.Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Guidelines

38.26A recipient to whom an appropriation is made
38.27under this section for a capital improvement
38.28project must ensure that the project complies
38.29with the applicable energy conservation and
38.30sustainable building guidelines and standards
38.31contained in law, including Minnesota
38.32Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and
38.33216C.20, and rules adopted under those
38.34sections. The recipient may use the energy
38.35planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office
39.1units of the Department of Commerce to
39.2obtain information and technical assistance
39.3on energy conservation and alternative
39.4energy development relating to the planning
39.5and construction of the capital improvement
39.6project.

39.7

Subd. 18.Accessibility

39.8Structural and nonstructural facilities must
39.9meet the design standards in the Americans
39.10with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility
39.11guidelines.

39.12

Subd. 19.Carryforward; Extension

39.13(a) The availability of the appropriations for
39.14the following projects are extended to June
39.1530, 2016:
39.16(1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
39.17subdivision 4, paragraph (l), Restorations
39.18Evaluations;
39.19(2) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
39.20subdivision 6, paragraph (b), detecting and
39.21monitoring certain carp populations; and
39.22(3) Laws 2011, First Special Session
39.23chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision
39.244, paragraph (g), Minnesota River Valley
39.25Green Corridor Scientific and Natural Area
39.26Acquisition.
39.27(b) The availability of the appropriations for
39.28the following projects are extended to June
39.2930, 2017:
39.30(1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
39.31subdivision 5, paragraph (e), Measuring
39.32Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge
39.33Habitat Restoration; and
40.1(2) Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 2,
40.2subdivision 3, paragraph (m), Measuring
40.3Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge
40.4Habitat Restoration.
40.5(c) The availability of the appropriation for
40.6the following project is extended to June
40.730, 2019: Laws 2014, chapter 226, section
40.82, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), Enhancing
40.9Pollinator Landscapes.
40.10(d) The following project may be extended
40.11statewide, Laws 2014, chapter 226, section
40.122, subdivision 9, paragraph (c), Urban
40.13Environmental Education Engaging Students
40.14in Local Resources.

40.15    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
40.16    Subd. 2. Duties. (a) The commission shall recommend an annual or biennial
40.17legislative bill for appropriations from the environment and natural resources trust fund and
40.18shall adopt a strategic plan as provided in section 116P.08. Approval of the recommended
40.19legislative bill requires an affirmative vote of at least 12 members of the commission.
40.20    (b) It is a condition of acceptance of the appropriations made from the Minnesota
40.21environment and natural resources trust fund, and oil overcharge money under section
40.224.071, subdivision 2, that the agency or entity receiving the appropriation must
40.23submit a work plan and semiannual progress reports in the form determined by the
40.24Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and comply with applicable
40.25reporting requirements under section 116P.16. None of the money provided may be
40.26spent unless the commission has approved the pertinent work plan. Modifications to
40.27the approved work plan and budget expenditures shall be made through the amendment
40.28process established by the commission. The commission shall ensure that the expenditures
40.29and outcomes described in the work plan for appropriations funded by the environment
40.30and natural resources trust fund are met.
40.31    (c) The peer review panel procedures created under section 116P.08 must also be
40.32used to review, comment, and report to the commission on research proposals applying for
40.33an appropriation from the oil overcharge money under section 4.071, subdivision 2.
40.34    (d) The commission may adopt operating procedures to fulfill its duties under this
40.35chapter.
41.1    (e) As part of the operating procedures, the commission shall:
41.2    (1) ensure that members' expectations are to participate in all meetings related to
41.3funding decision recommendations;
41.4    (2) recommend adequate funding for increased citizen outreach and communications
41.5for trust fund expenditure planning;
41.6    (3) allow administrative expenses as part of individual project expenditures based
41.7on need;
41.8    (4) provide for project outcome evaluation;
41.9    (5) keep the grant application, administration, and review process as simple as
41.10possible; and
41.11    (6) define and emphasize the leveraging of additional sources of money that project
41.12proposers should consider when making trust fund proposals.

41.13    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
41.14    Subd. 5. Public meetings. (a) Meetings of the commission, committees or
41.15subcommittees of the commission, technical advisory committees, and peer review panels
41.16reviewers must be open to the public. The commission shall attempt to meet throughout
41.17various regions of the state during each biennium. For purposes of this subdivision, a
41.18meeting occurs when a quorum is present and action is taken regarding a matter within
41.19the jurisdiction of the commission, a committee or subcommittee of the commission, a
41.20technical advisory committee, or a peer review panel reviewers.
41.21(b) For legislative members of the commission, enforcement of this subdivision is
41.22governed by section 3.055, subdivision 2. For nonlegislative members of the commission,
41.23enforcement of this subdivision is governed by section 13D.06, subdivisions 1 and 2.

41.24    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
41.25    Subd. 6. Peer review. (a) Research proposals must include a stated purpose directly
41.26connected to the trust fund's constitutional mandate, this chapter, and the adopted strategic
41.27plan under subdivision 3, a timeline, potential outcomes, and an explanation of the need
41.28for the research. All research proposals must be peer reviewed by a peer review panel
41.29before receiving an appropriation.
41.30(b) In conducting research proposal reviews, the peer review panel reviewers shall:
41.31(1) comment on the methodology proposed and whether it can be expected to yield
41.32appropriate and useful information and data; and
41.33(2) comment on the need for the research and about similar existing information
41.34available, if any; and.
42.1(3) report to the commission on clauses (1) and (2) (c) Peer reviewers' comments
42.2under paragraph (b) must be reported to the commission.
42.3(c) (d) The peer review panel also must reviewers may review completed research
42.4proposals that have received an appropriation and comment and report upon whether the
42.5project reached the intended goals.

42.6    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
42.7    Subd. 7. Peer review panel membership reviewers. (a) The peer review panel
42.8reviewers must consist of at least five members who are be knowledgeable in general
42.9research methods in the areas of environment and natural resources. Not more than two
42.10members of the panel may be employees of state agencies in Minnesota.
42.11(b) The commission shall select a chair every two years who shall be responsible for
42.12convening meetings of the panel as often as is necessary to fulfill its duties as prescribed
42.13in this section. Compensation of panel members peer reviewers is governed by section
42.1415.059, subdivision 3 .

42.15    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
42.16    Subd. 6. Conflict of interest. A commission member, a technical advisory
42.17committee member, a peer review panelist reviewer, or an employee of the commission
42.18may not participate in or vote on a decision of the commission, advisory committee, or
42.19peer review panel relating to an organization in which the member, panelist peer reviewer,
42.20or employee has either a direct or indirect personal financial interest. While serving on the
42.21commission, technical advisory committee, or as a peer review panel reviewer, or being
42.22an employee of the commission, a person shall avoid any potential conflict of interest.

42.23    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
42.24    Subd. 8. Technical advisory committees. The commission shall make use of
42.25available public and private expertise on environment and natural resource issues by
42.26appointing and may appoint necessary technical advisory committees to review funding
42.27proposals and evaluate project outcomes. Compensation for technical advisory committee
42.28members is governed by section 15.059, subdivision 6."

43.1	We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.
43.2	Senate Conferees:
43.3	.....		.....
43.4	Kari Dziedzic		John A. Hoffman
43.5	.....
43.6	Gary H. Dahms
43.7	House Conferees:
43.8	.....		.....
43.9	Paul Torkelson		Dan Fabian
43.10	.....
43.11	Leon Lillie