Minnesota Session Laws - 2022, Regular Session

CHAPTER 94--H.F.No. 3765

An act

relating to natural resources; appropriating money from environment and natural resources trust fund; providing for extensions and transfers; modifying requirements for expending trust fund money; requiring a report;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 116P.08, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the environment and natural resources trust fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2022" and "2023" used in this act mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2022. "The second year" is fiscal year 2023. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Any unencumbered balance remaining in the first year does not cancel and is available for the second year or until the end of the appropriation. These are onetime appropriations. new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2022 new text end		new text begin 2023 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MINNESOTA RESOURCES new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 70,881,000 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is from the environment and natural resources trust fund. The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Definition new text end

new text begin "Trust fund" means the Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund established under the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 14. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 9,004,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Improving Golden-Winged Warbler Conservation and Habitat Restoration new text end

new text begin $197,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to develop restoration and habitat management guidelines for protecting the imperiled golden-winged warbler by assessing habitat use and behavior of this species. new text end

new text begin (b) Enhancing Natural Resource Conservation Through Species Distribution Modeling new text end

new text begin $200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to create distribution models for rare species in Minnesota to provide new tools for natural areas conservation. new text end

new text begin (c) Modernizing Minnesota's Digital Lake Inventory new text end

new text begin $787,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to conduct a comprehensive update of Minnesota's lake and pond GIS data to enhance lake conservation planning by state and local partners while also creating efficiencies for ongoing data maintenance. new text end

new text begin (d) How Do Prescribed Fires Affect Native Prairie Bees? new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action at the Chicago Horticultural Society to investigate how prescribed fire in Minnesota's tallgrass prairies affects the nesting habitat, food resources, and diversity of ground-nesting bees. new text end

new text begin (e) Status of Minnesota Blueberries and Related Berry Species new text end

new text begin $191,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, Duluth, to assess how land management practices impact the genetic health and reproduction of several native edible blueberry and related berry species of Minnesota. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered. new text end

new text begin (f) Distribution and Movements of Fishers in Southern Minnesota new text end

new text begin $340,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to determine the distribution, status, and habitat use of fishers in southern Minnesota to inform fisher management. new text end

new text begin (g) Offal Wildlife Watching: How Do Hunters' Provisions Impact Scavengers? new text end

new text begin $473,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to recruit hunters statewide and use remote cameras at field-dressed deer gut piles to study the impacts of these offal resources on scavengers and other wildlife. new text end

new text begin (h) Land-Use and Climate Impacts on Minnesota's Whitewater River new text end

new text begin $199,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory to augment, digitize, and disseminate unique and historic topographical survey data showing changes in the Whitewater River valley to inform future land and water management. new text end

new text begin (i) Protecting Minnesota's Spruce-Fir Forests from Tree-Killing Budworm new text end

new text begin $189,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to evaluate conditions contributing to Minnesota's uniquely high population of the native and lethal spruce budworm to provide better management options for protecting the state's spruce-balsam fir forests. new text end

new text begin (j) Restoration of Eastern Hemlock, Minnesota's Endangered Tree Species new text end

new text begin $199,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop guidelines for restoring eastern hemlock, Minnesota's only endangered tree species, by testing methods and seed sources at different sites across northern Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (k) Establishing a Center for Prion Research and Outreach new text end

new text begin $3,877,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to form a multidisciplinary center to perform coordinated research on the detection, prevention, and treatment of chronic wasting and other prion diseases threatening wildlife across Minnesota. Money appropriated in this paragraph may also be spent on a strategic plan, capital equipment, and staff as approved in the work plan required under Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.05. Money appropriated in this paragraph may not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary for the purposes of this paragraph. Money appropriated in this paragraph must not be spent on indirect costs or other institutional overhead charges that are not directly related to and necessary for the purposes of this paragraph. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026. new text end

new text begin (l) Sweetening the Crop: Perennial Flax for Ecosystem Benefits new text end

new text begin $490,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to produce, select, and evaluate how perennial flax provides pollinator and other ecosystem services while enhancing yield for oilseed, fiber, and honey production. new text end

new text begin (m) Beavers, Trees, and Climate - Increasing Floodplain Forest Resilience new text end

new text begin $430,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Park Service, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, to identify solutions for saving floodplain wildlife habitat from beaver herbivory, changes in climate, and emerald ash borer. new text end

new text begin (n) Chronic Wasting Disease Prion Soil Research new text end

new text begin $732,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to study chronic wasting disease prions in soils, including the assessment of sites where carcasses with chronic wasting disease have been disposed. new text end

new text begin (o) Strategic Framework to Guide Local Water Storage Implementation new text end

new text begin $200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to create a framework for prioritizing water storage projects throughout the state. The framework will use existing data and local stakeholder input, be scalable, and emphasize projects that provide multiple benefits, including for water quality, flood control, and habitat. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Water Resources new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 5,783,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Methods to Destroy PFAS in Landfill Leachates new text end

new text begin $200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop and examine methods for destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in landfill leachate. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. new text end

new text begin (b) High Temperature Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge new text end

new text begin $208,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to demonstrate that high temperature anaerobic digestion is effective at treating sewage sludge and preventing disease-causing microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes from being released into the environment. new text end

new text begin (c) Mitigating Cyanobacterial Blooms and Toxins Using Clay-Algae Flocculation new text end

new text begin $326,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for St. Anthony Falls Laboratory to develop and test a clay-algae flocculation method to mitigate cyanobacterial blooms that can contaminate drinking water and cause mass fish mortality. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. new text end

new text begin (d) Changing Winters and Game Fish in Minnesota Lakes new text end

new text begin $238,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Large Lakes Observatory in Duluth to determine how changing winter conditions such as ice cover, snowfall patterns, and water quality affect Minnesota's game fish populations. new text end

new text begin (e) Rainy River Drivers of Lake of the Woods Algal Blooms new text end

new text begin $608,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the United States Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, to guide the reduction of phosphorus inputs to Lake of the Woods by examining sources, mobility, and storage of sediment-bound phosphorus in the Rainy River. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered. new text end

new text begin (f) Water and Climate Information to Enhance Community Resilience new text end

new text begin $564,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to provide information on potential future water resources to communities and individuals to guide adaptation planning. new text end

new text begin (g) Catch and Reveal: Discovering Unknown Fish Contamination Threats new text end

new text begin $246,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth to identify contaminants present in Minnesota water bodies using passive sampling and discovery-based chemical analysis and rank the contaminants' potential threat to Minnesota's fisheries. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered. new text end

new text begin (h) Increased Intense Rain and Flooding in Minnesota's Watersheds new text end

new text begin $192,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Science Museum of Minnesota for the St. Croix Watershed Research Station to partner with local communities to determine the causes of increased flooding and the most cost-effective solutions for reducing flood risk in the Cottonwood River watershed and other agricultural watersheds in southern Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (i) Is the Tire Chemical 6PPDq Killing Minnesota's Fish? new text end

new text begin $437,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to optimize detection methods, determine environmental occurrence, and evaluate risk to Minnesota's fish populations of the toxic tire-derived chemical 6PPDq. new text end

new text begin (j) Mitigation Strategies for Agroplastic PFAS and Microplastic Contamination new text end

new text begin $169,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, to study plastic use in the agricultural supply chain and to research and communicate strategies to reduce impacts of this plastic use, including water and land contamination from microplastics, PFAS, and related compounds. new text end

new text begin (k) Innovative Technology for PFAS Destruction in Drinking Water new text end

new text begin $445,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Southern Research and Outreach Center to develop and demonstrate a treatment process based on continuous liquid-phase plasma discharge technology to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. new text end

new text begin (l) Salt Threatens Minnesota Water Quality and Fisheries new text end

new text begin $1,228,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Science Museum of Minnesota for the St. Croix Watershed Research Station to determine chloride tipping points that lead to water-quality and food-web degradations, measure how and when lakes are salinized, identify lake and food-web resilience to chloride, and test impacts of deicing alternatives. new text end

new text begin (m) PFAS Contaminant Mitigation Using Hybrid Engineered Wetlands new text end

new text begin $446,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with St. Louis County to design, implement, and evaluate an innovative method for protecting water resources through mitigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from landfill leachate using engineered wetland treatment systems. new text end

new text begin (n) Scaling a Market-Driven Water-Quality Solution for Row-Crop Farming new text end

new text begin $476,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to work with farmers to accelerate adoption of grain-camelina rotations in targeted watersheds as a scalable and market-driven way to enhance stewardship of soil, water, and wildlife. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Environmental Education new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 4,269,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Teacher Field School: Stewardship through Nature-Based Education new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Hamline University to create an immersive, research-backed field school for teachers to use nature-based education to benefit student well-being and academic outcomes while increasing stewardship habits. new text end

new text begin (b) Increasing K-12 Student Learning to Develop Environmental Awareness, Appreciation, and Interest new text end

new text begin $1,602,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center to partner with Minnesota's five other accredited residential environmental learning centers to provide needs-based scholarships to at least 25,000 K-12 students statewide for immersive multiday environmental learning experiences. new text end

new text begin (c) Expanding Access to Wildlife Learning Bird by Bird new text end

new text begin $276,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to engage young people from diverse communities in wildlife conservation through bird-watching in schools, outdoor leadership training, and participating in neighborhood bird walks. new text end

new text begin (d) Engaging a Diverse Public in Environmental Stewardship new text end

new text begin $300,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to increase participation in natural resources restoration efforts through volunteer, internship, and youth engagement activities that target diverse audiences more accurately reflecting local demographic and socioeconomic conditions in Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (e) Bugs Below Zero: Engaging Citizens in Winter Research new text end

new text begin $198,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to raise awareness about the winter life of bugs, inspire learning about stream food webs, and engage citizen scientists in research and environmental stewardship. new text end

new text begin (f) ESTEP: Earth Science Teacher Education Project new text end

new text begin $495,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Science Teachers Association to provide professional development for Minnesota science teachers in environmental and earth science to strengthen environmental education in schools. new text end

new text begin (g) YES! Students Take Action to Complete Eco Projects new text end

new text begin $199,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, in partnership with Ney Nature Center and Laurentian Environmental Center, to empower Minnesota youth to connect with natural resource experts, identify ecological challenges, and take action to complete innovative projects in their communities. new text end

new text begin (h) Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources, in cooperation with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa, to encourage a diversity of students to pursue careers in the environment and natural resources through internships, mentorships, and fellowships with the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Pollution Control Agency. new text end

new text begin (i) Diversity and Access to Wildlife-Related Opportunities new text end

new text begin $199,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to broaden the state's conservation constituency by researching diverse communities' values about nature and wildlife experiences and identifying barriers to engagement. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 6,404,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center new text end

new text begin $6,230,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to support the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center to fund high-priority research projects to better manage invasive plants, pathogens, and pests on Minnesota's natural and agricultural lands. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered. new text end

new text begin (b) Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Citizen Science Program new text end

new text begin $174,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Wild Rivers Conservancy to protect and restore native ecosystems by identifying purple loosestrife in priority management areas and engaging, educating, and empowering citizens to use an approved purple loosestrife biocontrol in Minnesota's St. Croix River watershed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end new text begin Air Quality and Renewable Energy new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 843,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Green Solar Cells from a Minnesota Natural Resource new text end

new text begin $673,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop an efficient, low cost, and nontoxic pyrite solar cell and conduct a feasibility study for using Iron Range resources to manufacture this product. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. new text end

new text begin (b) Morris GHG Emissions Inventory and Mitigation Strategies new text end

new text begin $170,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Morris to conserve natural resources by conducting a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory of city and county operations as part of the Morris Model partnership, implementing policy to achieve targeted reductions, and disseminating findings. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 11,294,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota's Volunteer Rare Plant Conservation Corps new text end

new text begin $859,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to partner with the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Native Plant Society to establish and train a volunteer corps to survey, monitor, and bank seed from Minnesota's rare plant populations and enhance the effectiveness and efficiencies of conservation efforts. new text end

new text begin (b) Conservation Corps Veterans Service Corps Program new text end

new text begin $1,339,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Conservation Corps Minnesota to create a Veterans Service Corps program to accelerate natural resource restorations in Minnesota while providing workforce development opportunities for the state's veterans. new text end

new text begin (c) Creating Seed Sources of Early-Blooming Plants for Pollinators new text end

new text begin $200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to establish new populations of early-season flowers by hand-harvesting and propagating species that are currently lacking in prairie restorations and that are essential to pollinator health. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered. new text end

new text begin (d) Hastings Lake Rebecca Park Area new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Hastings to develop an ecological-based master plan for Lake Rebecca Park and to enhance habitat quality and construct passive recreational facilities consistent with the master plan. No funds for implementation may be spent until the master plan is complete. new text end

new text begin (e) Pollinator Plantings and the Redistribution of Soil Toxins new text end

new text begin $610,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to map urban and suburban soil toxins of concern, such as heavy metals and microplastics, and to test whether pollinator plantings can redistribute these toxins in the soil of yards, parks, and community gardens and reduce exposure to humans and wildlife. new text end

new text begin (f) PFAS Fungal-Wood Chip Filtering System new text end

new text begin $189,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to identify, develop, and field-test various types of waste wood chips and fungi to sequester and degrade PFAS leachate from contaminated waste sites. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. new text end

new text begin (g) Phytoremediation for Extracting Deicing Salt new text end

new text begin $451,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to protect lands and waters from contamination by collaborating with the Department of Transportation to develop methods for using native plants to remediate roadside deicing salt. new text end

new text begin (h) Mustinka River Fish and Wildlife Habitat Corridor Rehabilitation new text end

new text begin $2,692,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Bois de Sioux Watershed District to permanently rehabilitate a straightened reach of the Mustinka River to a naturally functioning stream channel and floodplain corridor for water, fish, and wildlife benefits. new text end

new text begin (i) Bohemian Flats Savanna Restoration new text end

new text begin $286,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to restore an area of compacted urban turf within Bohemian Flats Park and adjacent to the Mississippi River to an oak savanna ecosystem. new text end

new text begin (j) Watershed and Forest Restoration: What a Match! new text end

new text begin $3,318,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with soil and water conservation districts, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and the Department of Natural Resources, to accelerate tree planting on privately owned, protected lands for water-quality protection and carbon sequestration. new text end

new text begin (k) River Habitat Restoration and Recreation in Melrose new text end

new text begin $350,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Melrose to conduct habitat restoration and create fishing, canoeing, and camping opportunities along a segment of the Sauk River within the city of Melrose and to provide public education about stream restoration, fish habitat, and the importance of natural areas. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Habitat and Recreation new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 26,179,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Mesabi Trail: Wahlsten Road (CR 26) to Tower new text end

new text begin $1,307,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority to acquire easements, engineer, and construct a segment of the Mesabi Trail beginning at the intersection of Wahlsten Road (CR 26) and Benson Road in Embarrass and extending to Tower. new text end

new text begin (b) Environmental Learning Classroom with Trails new text end

new text begin $82,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Mountain Iron-Buhl Public Schools to build an outdoor classroom pavilion, accessible trails, and a footbridge within the Mountain Iron-Buhl School Forest to conduct environmental education that cultivates a lasting conservation ethic. new text end

new text begin (c) Local Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Grant Programs new text end

new text begin $3,560,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to solicit, rank, and fund competitive matching grants for local parks, trail connections, and natural and scenic areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019. This appropriation is for local nature-based recreation, connections to regional and state natural areas, and recreation facilities and may not be used for athletic facilities such as sport fields, courts, and playgrounds. new text end

new text begin (d) St. Louis River Re-Connect new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Duluth to expand recreational access along the St. Louis River and estuary by implementing the St. Louis River National Water Trail outreach plan, designing and constructing upgrades and extensions to the Waabizheshikana Trail, and installing interpretive features that describe the cultural and ecological significance of the area. new text end

new text begin (e) Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition new text end

new text begin $1,353,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to provide technical stewardship assistance to private landowners, restore and enhance native prairie protected by easements in the native prairie bank, and acquire easements for the native prairie bank in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, including preparing initial baseline property assessments. Up to $60,000 of this appropriation may be deposited in the natural resources conservation easement stewardship account created under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.69, proportional to the number of easements acquired. new text end

new text begin (f) Minnesota State Parks and State Trails Maintenance and Development new text end

new text begin $1,600,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for maintenance and development at state parks, recreation areas, and trails to protect Minnesota's natural heritage, enhance outdoor recreation, and improve the efficiency of public land management. new text end

new text begin (g) Minnesota State Trails Development new text end

new text begin $7,387,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to expand recreational opportunities on Minnesota state trails by rehabilitating and enhancing existing state trails and replacing or repairing existing state trail bridges. new text end

new text begin (h) SNA Habitat Restoration and Public Engagement new text end

new text begin $5,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the scientific and natural areas (SNA) program to restore and enhance exceptional habitat on SNAs and increase public involvement and outreach. new text end

new text begin (i) The Missing Link: Gull Lake Trail, Fairview Township new text end

new text begin $1,394,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Fairview Township to complete the Gull Lake Trail by engineering and constructing the trail's final segment through Fairview Township in the Brainerd Lakes area. new text end

new text begin (j) Silver Bay Multimodal Trailhead Project new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Silver Bay to develop a multimodal trailhead center to provide safe access to the Superior, Gitchi-Gami, and C.J. Ramstad/North Shore trails; Black Beach Park; and other recreational destinations. new text end

new text begin (k) Brookston Campground, Boat Launch, and Outdoor Recreational Facility new text end

new text begin $453,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Brookston to build a campground, boat launch, and outdoor recreation area on the banks of the St. Louis River in northeastern Minnesota. Before any trust fund dollars are spent, the city must demonstrate that all funds to complete the project are secured and a fiscal agent must be approved in the work plan. new text end

new text begin (l) Silver Lake Trail Connection new text end

new text begin $727,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Virginia to design, engineer, and construct a multiuse trail that will connect Silver Lake Trail to a new Miners Entertainment and Convention Center and provide lighting on Bailey Lake Trail. new text end

new text begin (m) Floodwood Campground Improvement Project new text end

new text begin $816,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Floodwood to upgrade the Floodwood Campground and connecting trails to provide high-quality nature and recreation experience for people of all ages. new text end

new text begin (n) Ranier Safe Harbor/Transient Dock - Phase 2 new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Ranier to construct a safe harbor and transient dock to accommodate watercraft of many sizes to improve public access for boat recreation on Rainy Lake. Before trust fund dollars are spent, a fiscal agent must be approved in the work plan. Before any trust fund dollars are spent, the city must demonstrate that all funds to complete the project are secured. Any revenue generated from selling products or assets developed or acquired with this appropriation must be repaid to the trust fund unless a plan is approved for reinvestment of income in the project as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Other Projects new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 6,973,000 new text end

new text begin (a) Aggregate Resource Mapping new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for continued mapping of the aggregate resource potential in the state of Minnesota and to make the information available in print and electronic format to local units of government for use in planning and zoning. new text end

new text begin (b) Leaded Gasoline Contamination Analysis new text end

new text begin $200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of administration for a grant to the city of Paynesville to procure an analysis of the extent of leaded gasoline contamination in or near the cities of Paynesville, Foley, Alexandria, and Blaine, and of the threat posed by the contamination to each city's drinking water supply. The vendor selected to perform the analysis must use the same methodology to conduct the analysis for each city and must produce findings that are comparable between cities. The cities must work cooperatively to select a vendor. By January 15, 2024, the city administrator of the city of Paynesville must report the results of the analysis to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources. new text end

new text begin (c) Living Snow Fence Program new text end

new text begin $200,000 the second year is from the trust 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 paragraph may only be used to acquire and plant trees native to Minnesota. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026. new text end

new text begin (d) Forest Data Inventory new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an enhanced forest inventory on county and private lands. new text end

new text begin (e) Conservation Reserve Program State Incentives new text end

new text begin $750,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to provide onetime state incentive payments to enrollees in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) during the continuous enrollment period and to enroll land in conservation easements consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515. The board may establish payment rates based on land valuation and on environmental benefit criteria, including but not limited to surface water or groundwater pollution reduction, drinking water protection, soil health, pollinator and wildlife habitat, and other conservation enhancements. The board may use state funds to implement the program and to provide technical assistance to landowners or their agents to fulfill enrollment and contract provisions. The board must consult with the commissioners of agriculture, health, natural resources, and the Pollution Control Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture in establishing program criteria. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026. new text end

new text begin (f) Groundwater Storage and Recovery Database new text end

new text begin $400,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to complete a centralized aquifer property database to provide needed data for site characterization. new text end

new text begin (g) Rural and Farmstead Ring Levees new text end

new text begin $360,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for grants to assist in constructing rural and farmstead ring levees for flood protection in the Red River watershed. A grant may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project. new text end

new text begin (h) Replacing Failing Septic Systems to Protect Groundwater new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to counties for grants to low-income landowners to address septic systems that pose an imminent threat to public health or safety or fail to protect groundwater. The issuance of a loan under Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117, for the purpose of replacing a failed septic system, shall not preclude a rural landowner from obtaining a grant under this paragraph or vice versa. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025. new text end

new text begin (i) Forever Green new text end

new text begin $763,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to fund the Forever Green Agriculture Initiative and protect the state's natural resources while increasing the efficiency, profitability, and productivity of Minnesota farmers by incorporating perennial and winter-annual crops into existing agricultural practices. new text end

new text begin (j) Pig's Eye Landfill Task Force new text end

new text begin $800,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to establish a Pig's Eye Landfill Task Force to coordinate efforts to remediate and restore the Pig's Eye Landfill Superfund site and address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination of Battle Creek, Pig's Eye Lake, and nearby groundwater. The task force must be made up of at least the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, the commissioner of natural resources, the commissioner of health, a representative from the Metropolitan Council, a representative from the city of St. Paul, a representative from the city of South St. Paul, a representative from the city of Newport, a representative from Ramsey County, a representative from Dakota County, a representative from Washington County, and representatives from relevant federal agencies. The task force is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6. The task force must submit an annual report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources on the status of the task force's work. The final report is due February 15, 2026. The task force expires June 30, 2026. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2026. new text end

new text begin (k) Developing Markets for Continuous Living Cover Crops new text end

new text begin $500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to organizations in Minnesota to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development, including but not limited to regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza perennial grain, winter camelina, and elderberry. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end new text begin Administrative new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin 132,000 new text end

new text begin $132,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources, at the direction of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, for expenses incurred in preparing and administering contracts, including for the agreements specified in this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end new text begin Availability of Appropriations new text end

new text begin Money appropriated in this section may not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation and are specified in the work plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. Money appropriated in this section must not be spent on indirect costs or other institutional overhead charges that are not directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation. Costs that are directly related to and necessary for an appropriation, including financial services, human resources, information services, rent, and utilities, are eligible only if the costs can be clearly justified and individually documented specific to the appropriation's purpose and would not be generated by the recipient but for receipt of the appropriation. No broad allocations for costs in either dollars or percentages are allowed. Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in this section are available for three years beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2025, when projects must be completed and final products delivered. For acquisition of real property, the appropriations in this section are available for an additional fiscal year if a binding contract for acquisition of the real property is entered into before the expiration date of the appropriation. If a project receives a federal award, the period of the appropriation is extended to equal the federal award period to a maximum trust fund appropriation length of six years. new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end new text begin Data Availability Requirements Data new text end

new text begin Data collected by the projects funded under this section must conform to guidelines and standards adopted by Minnesota IT Services. Spatial data must also conform to additional guidelines and standards designed to support data coordination and distribution that have been published by the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office. Descriptions of spatial data must be prepared as specified in the state's geographic metadata guideline and must be submitted to the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office. All data must be accessible and free to the public unless made private under the Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. To the extent practicable, summary data and results of projects funded under this section should be readily accessible on the Internet and identified as having received funding from the environment and natural resources trust fund. new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end new text begin Project Requirements new text end

new text begin (a) As a condition of accepting an appropriation under this section, an agency or entity receiving an appropriation or a party to an agreement from an appropriation must comply with paragraphs (b) to (l) and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P, and must submit a work plan and annual or semiannual progress reports in the form determined by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for any project funded in whole or in part with funds from the appropriation. Modifications to the approved work plan and budget expenditures must be made through the amendment process established by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. new text end

new text begin (b) A recipient of money appropriated in this section that conducts a restoration using funds appropriated in this section must use native plant species according to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation establishment and enhancement guidelines and include an appropriate diversity of native species selected to provide habitat for pollinators throughout the growing season as required under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.973. new text end

new text begin (c) For all restorations conducted with money appropriated under this section, a recipient must prepare an ecological restoration and management plan that, to the degree practicable, is consistent with the highest-quality conservation and ecological goals for the restoration site. Consideration should be given to soil, geology, topography, and other relevant factors that would provide the best chance for long-term success and durability of the restoration project. The plan must include the proposed timetable for implementing the restoration, including site preparation, establishment of diverse plant species, maintenance, and additional enhancement to establish the restoration; identify long-term maintenance and management needs of the restoration and how the maintenance, management, and enhancement will be financed; and take advantage of the best-available science and include innovative techniques to achieve the best restoration. new text end

new text begin (d) An entity receiving an appropriation in this section for restoration activities must provide an initial restoration evaluation at the completion of the appropriation and an evaluation three years after the completion of the expenditure. Restorations must be evaluated relative to the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan, current science, and, when applicable, the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation establishment and enhancement guidelines. The evaluation must determine whether the restorations are meeting planned goals, identify any problems with implementing the restorations, and, if necessary, give recommendations on improving restorations. The evaluation must be focused on improving future restorations. new text end

new text begin (e) All restoration and enhancement projects funded with money appropriated in this section must be on land permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership. new text end

new text begin (f) A recipient of money from an appropriation under this section must give consideration to contracting with Conservation Corps Minnesota for contract restoration and enhancement services. new text end

new text begin (g) All conservation easements acquired with money appropriated under this section must: new text end

new text begin (1) be permanent; new text end

new text begin (2) specify the parties to an easement in the easement; new text end

new text begin (3) specify all provisions of an agreement that are permanent; new text end

new text begin (4) be sent to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources in an electronic format at least ten business days before closing; new text end

new text begin (5) include a long-term monitoring and enforcement plan and funding for monitoring and enforcing the easement agreement; and new text end

new text begin (6) include requirements in the easement document to protect the quantity and quality of groundwater and surface water through specific activities such as keeping water on the landscape, reducing nutrient and contaminant loading, and not permitting artificial hydrological modifications. new text end

new text begin (h) For any acquisition of lands or interest in lands, a recipient of money appropriated under this section must not agree to pay more than 100 percent of the appraised value for a parcel of land using this money to complete the purchase, in part or in whole, except that up to ten percent above the appraised value may be allowed to complete the purchase, in part or in whole, using this money if permission is received in advance of the purchase from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. new text end

new text begin (i) For any acquisition of land or interest in land, a recipient of money appropriated under this section must give priority to high-quality natural resources or conservation lands that provide natural buffers to water resources. new text end

new text begin (j) For new lands acquired with money appropriated under this section, a recipient must prepare an ecological restoration and management plan in compliance with paragraph (c), including sufficient funding for implementation unless the work plan addresses why a portion of the money is not necessary to achieve a high-quality restoration. new text end

new text begin (k) To ensure public accountability for using public funds, a recipient of money appropriated under this section must, within 60 days of the transaction, provide to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources documentation of the selection process used to identify parcels acquired and provide documentation of all related transaction costs, including but not limited to appraisals, legal fees, recording fees, commissions, other similar costs, and donations. This information must be provided for all parties involved in the transaction. The recipient must also report to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources any difference between the acquisition amount paid to the seller and the state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal, if a state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal was conducted. new text end

new text begin (l) A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund under this section must acknowledge financial support from the environment and natural resources trust fund in project publications, signage, and other public communications and outreach related to work completed using the appropriation. Acknowledgment may occur, as appropriate, through use of the trust fund logo or inclusion of language attributing support from the trust fund. Each direct recipient of money appropriated in this section, as well as each recipient of a grant awarded pursuant to this section, must satisfy all reporting and other requirements incumbent upon constitutionally dedicated funding recipients as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10, and chapter 116P. new text end

new text begin (m) A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund under this section that is receiving funding to conduct children's services, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 299C.61, subdivision 7, must certify to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, as part of the required work plan, that criminal background checks for background check crimes, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 299C.61, subdivision 2, are performed on all employees, contractors, and volunteers that have or may have access to a child to whom the recipient provides children's services using the appropriation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end new text begin Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures new text end

new text begin (a) All agreements, grants, or contracts referred to in this section must be administered on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise provided in this section. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.41, expenditures made on or after July 1, 2022, or the date the work plan is approved, whichever is later, are eligible for reimbursement unless otherwise provided in this section. Periodic payments must be made upon receiving documentation that the deliverable items articulated in the approved work plan have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by approved progress reports. Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash-flow needs or match federal money. The advances must be approved as part of the work plan. No expenditures for capital equipment are allowed unless expressly authorized in the project work plan. new text end

new text begin (b) Single-source contracts as specified in the approved work plan are allowed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end new text begin Purchasing Recycled and Recyclable Materials new text end

new text begin A political subdivision, public or private corporation, or other entity that receives an appropriation under this section must use the appropriation in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.0725, regarding purchasing recycled, repairable, and durable materials, and Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.073, regarding purchasing and using paper stock and printing. new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end new text begin Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Guidelines new text end

new text begin A recipient to whom an appropriation is made under this section for a capital improvement project must ensure that the project complies with the applicable energy conservation and sustainable building guidelines and standards contained in law, including Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and 216C.20, and rules adopted under those sections. The recipient may use the energy planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office units of the Department of Commerce to obtain information and technical assistance on energy conservation and alternative-energy development relating to planning and constructing the capital improvement project. new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end new text begin Accessibility new text end

new text begin Structural and nonstructural facilities must meet the design standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines. new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end new text begin Carryforward; Extensions new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the appropriations for the following projects is extended to June 30, 2024: new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (a), Saving Endangered Pollinators through Data-Driven Prairie Restoration; and new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 2, subdivision 9, paragraph (e), National Loon Center. new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the transfers for the following projects is extended to June 30, 2024: new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 20, paragraph (a), clause (1), for the Unprecedented Change Threatens Minnesota's Pristine Lakes project; new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 20, paragraph (a), clause (2), for the Wastewater Pond Optimization project; new text end

new text begin (3) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 20, paragraph (a), clause (3), for the Applied Research in State Mineral and Water Resources project; new text end

new text begin (4) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 20, paragraph (a), clause (4), for the Chloride Pollution Reduction project; new text end

new text begin (5) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 20, paragraph (a), clause (5), for the CWD Prion Research in Soils project; new text end

new text begin (6) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 20, paragraph (b), clauses (1) and (2), Lawns to Legumes; new text end

new text begin (7) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 20, paragraph (c), clauses (1) to (8), Emerging Issues Account; and new text end

new text begin (8) Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 6, section 2, subdivision 19, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (4), for the Forest Health Research, Development and Demonstration project at the Natural Resources Research Institute. new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, or any other law to the contrary, the availability of any appropriation or grant of money from the environment and natural resources trust fund that would otherwise cancel, lapse, or expire on June 30, 2022, is extended to June 30, 2023, if the recipient or grantee: new text end

new text begin (1) by June 15, 2022, notifies the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources in the manner specified by the commission that the recipient or grantee intends to avail itself of the extension available under this subdivision; and new text end

new text begin (2) modifies the applicable work plan where required by Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.05, subdivision 2, in accordance with the work plan amendment procedures adopted under that section. new text end

new text begin (d) The commission must notify the commissioner of management and budget and the commissioner of natural resources of any extension granted under paragraph (c). new text end

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end new text begin Transfers new text end

new text begin (a) The following amounts, estimated to be $2,183,000, are transferred to the commissioner of natural resources for maintenance and development at state parks, recreation areas, and trails to protect Minnesota's natural heritage, enhance outdoor recreation, and improve the efficiency of public land management: new text end

new text begin (1) the unencumbered amount, estimated to be $925,000, in Laws 2017, chapter 96, section 2, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), District Heating with Renewable Biomass at Camp Ripley Training Center; new text end

new text begin (2) the unencumbered amount, estimated to be $910,000, in Laws 2017, chapter 96, section 2, subdivision 9, paragraph (e), as amended by Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 4, article 2, section 4, Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition; and new text end

new text begin (3) $348,000 of the unencumbered amount, estimated to be $550,000, in Laws 2018, chapter 214, section 2, subdivision 9, paragraph (d), Mississippi Blufflands State Trail - Red Wing Barn Bluff to Colvill Park Segment. new text end

new text begin (b) The remainder of the unencumbered amount in Laws 2018, chapter 214, section 2, subdivision 9, paragraph (d), not transferred under paragraph (a), clause (3), estimated to be $202,000, is transferred to an emerging issues account authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.08, subdivision 4, paragraph (d). new text end

new text begin (c) $78,000 is transferred from the amount appropriated under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), to the appropriation in subdivision 11. The commissioner must provide documentation to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of these funds. new text end

new text begin (d) The amounts transferred under this subdivision are available until June 30, 2025. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 19 is effective the day following final enactment. Subdivision 20 is effective June 29, 2022. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 116P.08, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Exceptions.

Money from the trust fund may not be spent for:

(1) purposes of environmental compensation and liability under chapter 115B and response actions under chapter 115C;

(2) purposes of municipal water pollution control in municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more under the authority of chapters 115 and 116;

(3) costs associated with the decommissioning of nuclear power plants;

(4) hazardous waste disposal facilities;

(5) solid waste disposal facilities; deleted text begin or deleted text end

(6) projects or purposes inconsistent with the strategic plan new text begin ; or new text end

new text begin (7) acquiring property by eminent domain, unless the owner requests that the owner's property be acquired by eminent domain new text end .

Sec. 4.

new text begin INFORMATION SUBMITTED WITH CAPITAL PROJECT PROPOSALS. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources must consider whether statutorily requiring additional information to accompany proposals for capital projects would help the commission better evaluate those proposals. By October 15, 2022, the commission must submit its report and recommendations, along with any proposed statutory changes, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources. new text end

Presented to the governor May 24, 2022

Signed by the governor June 3, 2022, 1:05 p.m.