HF 2477

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/10/2016 05:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to capital investment; appropriating money for RIM and other
conservation purposes; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin RIM/conservation reserve enhancement program. new text end

new text begin (a)
$30,000,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the Board of Water and
Soil Resources to acquire conservation easements from landowners to preserve, restore,
create, and enhance wetlands and riparian lands, and to restore and enhance rivers and
streams and associated uplands, in order to protect soil and water quality, support fish and
wildlife habitat, reduce flood damage, and provide other public benefits. The provisions of
Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, apply to this program.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board shall give priority to leveraging federal funds by enrolling targeted new
lands or enrolling environmentally sensitive lands that leverage federal conservation funds.
new text end

new text begin (c) The board is authorized to enter into new agreements and amend past agreements
with landowners as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 5, to
allow for restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement. Of this appropriation, up to five
percent may be used for restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement.
new text end

new text begin (d) Of this appropriation, up to $4,100,000 may be used for conservation easement
stewardship purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Local road wetland replacement program. new text end

new text begin (a) $5,000,000 is
appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to acquire land or permanent easements and to
restore, create, enhance, and preserve wetlands to replace those wetlands drained or filled
as a result of the repair, reconstruction, replacement, or rehabilitation of existing public
roads as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222, subdivision 1, paragraphs (l)
and (m). The board may vary the priority order of Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222,
subdivision 3, paragraph (a), to implement an in-lieu fee agreement approved under
section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The purchase price paid for acquisition of land or
perpetual easement must be a fair market value as determined by the board. The board
may enter into agreements with the federal government, other state agencies, political
subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, fee title owners, or other qualified private entities to
acquire wetland replacement credits in accordance with Minnesota Rules, chapter 8420.
new text end

new text begin (b) Of this appropriation, up to $60,000 may be used for conservation easement
stewardship purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.103.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in this section from the
bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue
bonds of the state in an amount up to $35,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with
the effect prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the
Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
new text end