1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to natural resources; allowing the use of 
  1.3             external sources of funding for certain drainage 
  1.4             projects; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 
  1.5             103E.011, by adding a subdivision. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 103E.011, is 
  1.8   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  1.9      Subd. 5.  [USE OF EXTERNAL SOURCES OF 
  1.10  FUNDING.] Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, a 
  1.11  drainage authority may accept and use funds from sources other 
  1.12  than assessments based on the benefits of the drainage system 
  1.13  for the purposes of wetland preservation or restoration or 
  1.14  creation of water quality improvements or flood control 
  1.15  projects.  The source of funding authorized under this 
  1.16  subdivision may be used for a project outside the benefited area 
  1.17  if the project is within the watershed of the drainage system.