1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; establishing management requirements for Hill-Annex 
1.3 	Mine State Park; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. HILL-ANNEX MINE STATE PARK; MANAGEMENT AND 
1.6 	OPERATION; APPROPRIATION.
 1.7 	(a) $75,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.8 	of natural resources to operate the Hill-Annex Mine State Park in fiscal years 2020 and 
1.9 	2021. In fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the commissioner must operate the park to at least the 
1.10 	level of service and hours of operation as in fiscal year 2016, including care and maintenance 
1.11 	of park facilities consistent with the purposes for which the park was originally established. 
1.12 	This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2021.
1.13 	(b) The commissioner of natural resources must work with the city of Calumet and other 
1.14 	neighboring cities, townships, and other local units of government to identify and coordinate 
1.15 	volunteers to supplement the Department of Natural Resources' park operations to the extent 
1.16 	allowable under state law and rules.
1.17 	(c) $150,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.18 	of natural resources for a grant to Itasca County for the expenses of a work group comprised 
1.19 	of representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Iron Range 
1.20 	Resources and Rehabilitation, city of Calumet, Itasca County, and the Western Mesabi Mine 
1.21 	Planning Board. The work group must meet at least once every other month to:
2.1 	(1) exchange information, review park activities, and identify portions of the alternate 
2.2 	operating model developed under Laws 2017, chapter 93, article 2, section 156, that can be 
2.3 	improved; and
2.4 	(2) identify options for sustainable and viable operation of the park site, including 
2.5 	planning, performing and implementing studies, hiring consultants, developing a concept 
2.6 	plan, conducting a feasibility study, identifying possible alternative park management 
2.7 	options, continuing local partnership development, and other activities the work group 
2.8 	deems necessary and appropriate to move the park toward the objectives established in the 
2.9 	alternate operating model or otherwise move the park toward a more viable, sustainable 
2.10 	future.
2.11 	This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2021.
2.12 	(d) The commissioner of natural resources must prepare information to assist the work 
2.13 	group study alternatives for the long-term viability of the park including, information on 
2.14 	the long-term status of buildings and equipment and security of these resources, identifying 
2.15 	public safety concerns associated with continued public access to the Hill Annex mine lands, 
2.16 	identifying and developing means to address possible concerns and issues related to the site 
2.17 	having been an operating mine, and identifying and reporting various options for cultural 
2.18 	and historic artifacts and properties.
2.19 	(e) Beginning July 1, 2018, while operating the park as required under paragraph (a), 
2.20 	the commissioner of natural resources must no longer allocate fleet, facilities, professional 
2.21 	services or lease payment costs to the Hill-Annex Mine State Park under Minnesota Statutes, 
2.22 	sections 16A.127; 84.025, subdivision 9; 84.0856; and 84.0857.
2.23 	(f) The commissioner and work group must recognize and prioritize the long-term use 
2.24 	of the Hill-Annex Mine State Park property for mining purposes while park operation and 
2.25 	maintenance continue for state park purposes until active mining is ready to resume on the 
2.26 	property.