SF 698

2nd Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/27/2015 12:17pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money from environment and natural
resources trust fund; modifying provisions for Legislative-Citizen Commission
on Minnesota Resources; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 116P.05,
subdivision 2; 116P.08, subdivisions 5, 6, 7; 116P.09, subdivisions 6, 8.

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, or another named fund, and are available for
the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2016" and "2017" used in this act
mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June
30, 2016, or June 30, 2017, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2016. "The second
year" is fiscal year 2017. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
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 2016 new text end		new text begin 2017 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 46,383,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2016 new text end	new text begin 2017 new text end
new text begin Environment and natural resources trust fund new text end	new text begin 46,324,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end
new text begin Great Lakes protection account new text end	new text begin 59,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following
subdivisions.
new text end

new text begin Appropriations are available for two
years beginning July 1, 2015, unless
otherwise stated in the appropriation. 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.
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
referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section
116P.02, subdivision 6.
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 12,932,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) County Geologic Atlases - Part A
new text end

new text begin $2,040,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota for the Minnesota Geological
Survey to continue acceleration of the
production of county geologic atlases for
the purpose of sustainable management of
surface water and groundwater resources.
This appropriation is to complete Part A of
county geologic atlases, which focuses on the
properties and distribution of earth materials
in order to define aquifer boundaries and the
connection of aquifers to the land surface and
surface water resources. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) County Geologic Atlases - Part B
new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
to continue acceleration of the production of
county geologic atlases for the purpose of
sustainable management of surface water and
groundwater resources. This appropriation
is to complete Part B of county geologic
atlases, which focuses on the properties
and distribution of subsurface water found
within geologic formations mapped in Part
A in order to characterize the potential
yield of aquifers and their sensitivity
to contamination. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2018, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Minnesota Biological Survey
new text end

new text begin $2,450,000 the first year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources for continuation of the Minnesota
biological survey to provide a foundation
for conserving biological diversity by
systematically collecting, interpreting,
monitoring, and delivering data on plant and
animal distribution and ecology, native plant
communities, and functional landscapes.
new text end

new text begin (d) Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas for
Enhanced Natural Resource Management
new text end

new text begin $340,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota for the Bell Museum of Natural
History to create a publicly accessible, online
tool and repository that will electronically
integrate over 600,000 existing biodiversity
records, 300,000 existing images, and future
data and associated imagery pertaining to
Minnesota wildlife, plant, and fungi species
in order to enhance research, guide field
surveys, and inform conservation planning.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) Updating the National Wetland
Inventory for Minnesota - Phase V
new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 the first year is from the
trust fund to the commissioner of natural
resources to continue to update and enhance
wetland inventory maps for Minnesota. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (f) Creating a Statewide Wetland Bird
Monitoring Program
new text end

new text begin $146,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Audubon Minnesota to
develop a statewide wetland bird monitoring
program to enable long-term monitoring of
the status of wetland birds and the health of
their wetland habitats. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (g) Minnesota Native Bee Atlas
new text end

new text begin $790,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to supplement
and enhance existing bee survey efforts by
engaging citizens in helping to document the
distribution and phenology of wild Minnesota
bees and integrating data from all related
bee survey efforts into a single publicly
accessible, online tool and repository. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2019, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (h) Reintroduction and Interpretation of
Bison in Minnesota State Parks
new text end

new text begin $600,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources to
preserve American bison by reintroducing
bison to Minneopa State Park and provide
interpretive learning opportunities at Blue
Mounds and Minneopa State Parks. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (i) Endangered Bats, White-Nose
Syndrome, and Forest Habitat
new text end

new text begin $1,250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources in
cooperation with the University of Minnesota
and the United States Forest Service to
survey and radio-track endangered bats to
define and understand summer forest habitat
use in order to minimize forestry impacts
and mitigate white-nose syndrome disease
impacts. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (j) Assessing Contaminants in Minnesota
Loons and Pelicans - Phase III
new text end

new text begin $141,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
to continue to assess the potential impact
of petroleum, dispersants, and heavy metal
contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill in the Gulf of Mexico on the wintering
habitat of Minnesota's common loons
and white pelicans using radiotelemetry,
geolocators, and contaminant analysis.
new text end

new text begin (k) Movement and Seasonal Habitat Use
of Minnesota Elk
new text end

new text begin $200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
to collect biological information about
Minnesota elk, including movements and
habitat use to enable long-term, sustainable
management. This appropriation is
contingent on a $50,000 match from state
or nonstate sources. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2018, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (l) Genetic and Camera Techniques to
Estimate Carnivore Populations
new text end

new text begin $200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota – Duluth for the Natural
Resources Research Institute to use genetic
sampling and remote cameras to improve
monitoring of distributions and estimate
population sizes of carnivore species.
new text end

new text begin (m) Aquatic and Terrestrial Reptile Habitat new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the University of
St. Thomas in cooperation with the Three
Rivers Park District to analyze the aquatic
and terrestrial habitat for certain reptile
species in urban lakes and to make specific
recommendations to protect and enhance the
habitat. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2019, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (n) Digitization of Historic Gullion Ruffed
Grouse Research
new text end

new text begin $75,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Central Lakes College
to preserve the Gordon Gullion ruffed
grouse data sets as permanent digital data
files in order to improve accessibility to
the information and inform forest wildlife
conservation policies and practices.
new text end

new text begin (o) Effects of Grazing Versus Fire for
Prairie Management
new text end

new text begin $414,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to compare the effects of
conservation grazing and prescribed fire
on tallgrass prairie plants and pollinators
in Minnesota in order to inform and
improve land management practices. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (p) Assessing Ecological Impact of St.
Anthony Falls Lock Closure
new text end

new text begin $125,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with the Minneapolis Riverfront
Partnership to study the impact of altered
river flow due to closure of the Upper Lock
on the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls
on the physical and biological characteristics
of the river between the Coon Rapids Dam
and Lock and Dam No. 1 in order to inform
future river restoration efforts.
new text end

new text begin (q) Foundational Dataset Characterizing
Historic Forest Disturbance Impacts
new text end

new text begin $200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to quantify forest disturbance
impacts over the past forty years on water
quality, wildlife demographics, and wood
fiber supply in order to identify management
strategies that better respond to disturbance
impacts and improve and sustain forest
resources. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (r) Hydrologic Effects of Contemporary
Forest Practices in Minnesota
new text end

new text begin $150,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to install hydrologic
monitoring stations to collect water quantity
and quality data from lands managed for
timber production to better understand the
relationship between harvest practices and
water resources and related responses to
changing climate and other disturbance
factors in order to inform forest management
practices. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (s) Habitat Mitigation for Goblin Fern
Conservation
new text end

new text begin $61,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Leech Lake Band of
Ojibwe to examine goblin fern populations, a
threatened species in Minnesota, in relation
to habitat degradation and to develop
long-term habitat mitigation and species
conservation strategies. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

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

new text begin 3,065,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Understanding Water Scarcity,
Threats, and Values to Improve
Management
new text end

new text begin $234,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to model and map statewide water
scarcity and abundance; assess water-related
risks to industry, municipalities, and
ecosystems; and quantify the economic
values of changes in water quality and
quantity in order to inform long-term water
sustainability strategies. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Biofilm Technology for Water Nutrient
Removal
new text end

new text begin $281,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to develop a simulated lichen
biofilm system that can be used to remove
pollutants and recycle nutrients from storm
water runoff and polluted lakes, ponds, and
lagoons. This appropriation is subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Biological Consequences of Septic
Pollution in Minnesota Lakes
new text end

new text begin $364,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities system for
St. Cloud State University to assess the
presence of possible sources of contaminants
of emerging concern in Minnesota lakes
in order to determine their effects on fish
health, understand the potential contribution
from septic systems, and inform options
for remediation and prevention to protect
Minnesota lakes from these contaminants in
the future. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (d) Preventing Phosphorous from Entering
Water Resources through Drain Tiles
new text end

new text begin $505,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to develop a new
nanocomposite material made from biomass
that is designed to adsorb phosphorus,
nitrogen, and pesticides from storm water
and drain tile runoff discharge for recycling
back to agricultural lands. This appropriation
is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
116P.10.
new text end

new text begin (e) Southeast Minnesota Cover Crop and
Soil Health Initiatives
new text end

new text begin $253,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to
promote cover crops as a means of protecting
soil and water quality in southeastern
Minnesota through training and education
for local practitioners, economic analysis of
implementation, and on-farm demonstration
sites. This effort must be coordinated with
the University of Minnesota Forever Green
Initiative. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (f) Southeast Minnesota Subsurface
Drainage Impacts on Groundwater
Recharge
new text end

new text begin $488,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the United States
Geological Survey to assess the relationship
between agricultural drainage and water
flow within the unique karst geology of
southeast Minnesota to characterize the
potential impacts of drainage on groundwater
recharge and groundwater sustainability in
the region. This appropriation is not subject
to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2019, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (g) Using Hydroacoustics to Monitor
Sediment in Minnesota Rivers
new text end

new text begin $455,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the United States
Geological Survey to install hydroacoustic
equipment on the lower Minnesota and
Mississippi Rivers to improve measurement
and monitoring accuracy for suspended
sediment and enhance ongoing sediment
reduction efforts by state, federal, and local
agencies. This appropriation is not subject
to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2019, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (h) Assessment of Irrigation Efficiencies in
Benton County
new text end

new text begin $431,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Benton Soil and
Water Conservation District to develop and
implement a decision support system to
increase irrigation efficiencies and provide
outreach on irrigation best management
practices. Software developed with this
appropriation must be available in the public
domain. Project efforts should be coordinated
with the Department of Natural Resources.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2019, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (i) Shoreview Water Consumption and
Groundwater Awareness Project
new text end

new text begin $54,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the city of Shoreview
to provide biweekly water consumption
data to at least 400 residential households
for a two-year period to determine whether
additional groundwater can be conserved
with greater awareness of consumption data.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

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

new text begin 1,004,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Trap Shooting Sports Facility Grants
new text end

new text begin $132,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for trap shooting sports facility grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 87A.10.
new text end

new text begin (b) Connecting Students with Watersheds
through Hands-On Learning
new text end

new text begin $400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
the commissioner of natural resources for an
agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
to provide hands-on learning focused on
water quality, groundwater, aquatic life,
and watershed health stewardship. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Zumbro River Watershed Recreational
Learning Stewardship Sites
new text end

new text begin $300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with the Zumbro Watershed
Partnership to develop at least six recreational
and educational sites on the Zumbro River
with water quality demonstration elements
and interpretative signage designed to
encourage adoption of water protection
practices. No more than 15 percent of this
appropriation may be spent on site and
construction consultation, planning, and
design. Any plantings or restoration activities
conducted with this appropriation must use
native plant species according to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
establishment and enhancement guidelines.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (d) Students Engaging Local Watersheds
Using Mobile Technologies
new text end

new text begin $147,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Twin Cities Public
Television to deliver an experiential,
project-based educational program using
mobile technologies to empower at least 200
middle school students in 4-H programs to
engage in understanding and protecting local
water resources.
new text end

new text begin (e) Mississippi River Water Journey
Camps
new text end

new text begin $25,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to design and pilot two week-long
summer camps for youth ages 6 to 11 focused
around clean water and the Mississippi
River and designed to get children outdoors
exploring and engaged with the natural
environment and creating educational
materials to help their communities protect
water quality.
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 6,071,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

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

new text begin $5,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota for the Invasive Terrestrial
Plants and Pests Center established in Laws
2014, chapter 312, article 13, section 44,
to conduct research to prevent, minimize,
and mitigate the threats and impacts posed
by invasive plants, pathogens, and pests to
the state's prairies, forests, wetlands, and
agricultural resources. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2023, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Emerald Ash Borer Ecological and
Hydrological Impacts - Phase II
new text end

new text begin $400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to assess the potential impacts
of emerald ash borer on Minnesota black
ash forests and quantify potential impacts
on native forest vegetation, invasive species
spread, and hydrology. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2020, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Biological Control of Canada Thistle
new text end

new text begin $300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to develop a biological control for
Canada thistle, an invasive plant species in
Minnesota. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018, by which time the
project must be completed and final products
delivered.
new text end

new text begin (d) Preventing New Disease of Pines in
Minnesota
new text end

new text begin $371,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University of
Minnesota to establish early detection for
heterobasidion, an invasive root rot fungus,
and develop efforts to prevent its spread
and reduce its impact. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

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

new text begin 2,268,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Renewable and Sustainable Fertilizers
Produced Locally
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota for the Morris West Central
Research and Outreach Center and Twin
Cities Campus to develop and demonstrate
new technologies aimed at enabling
renewable and sustainable production of
ammonia for fertilizer in a localized manner.
This appropriation is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Reducing Emissions from Open
Burning through Biomass Gasification
new text end

new text begin $268,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota in cooperation with
the Department of Natural Resources to
characterize and promote distributed biomass
gasification of wood waste as a means for
producing renewable and sustainable energy
in rural areas through a demonstration at the
Department of Natural Resources regional
office facility in New Ulm.
new text end

new text begin (c) Building Deconstruction to Reduce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Solid
Waste
new text end

new text begin $845,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Better Futures Minnesota
in cooperation with the Northwest Indian
Opportunities Industrialization Center
and $155,000 the first year is from the
trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota – Duluth for the
Natural Resources Research Institute to
develop and test a model for implementing
building deconstruction and material reuse
as a competitive alternative to demolition
for the purpose of reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, reducing landfill waste, and
providing job training. The project report
must quantify and document greenhouse gas
emissions reductions resulting from specific
deconstruction techniques and materials
reuses.
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 4,646,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin Environment and natural resources trust fund new text end	new text begin 4,587,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end
new text begin Great Lakes protection account new text end	new text begin 59,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Prioritizing Future Management of
North Shore Trout Streams
new text end

new text begin $357,000 the first year is from the trust fund
and $59,000 the first year is from the Great
Lakes protection account to the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota –
Duluth for the Natural Resources Research
Institute to identify key areas in North Shore
streams that supply the cold groundwater
essential to sustaining trout fisheries, in order
to focus habitat restoration, protection, and
management efforts on the areas that are
most essential for long-term stream health
and sustainability. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2018, by which time
the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Propagating Native Plants and
Restoring Diverse Habitats
new text end

new text begin $495,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the Martin County
Soil and Water Conservation District for a
cooperative 13-county effort by Blue Earth,
Brown, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Faribault,
Freeborn, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Martin,
Nicollet, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties to
protect and expand native forest and prairie
habitat for species in greatest conservation
need in four regions of the state through
collection and propagation of local ecotype
native plants, habitat restoration efforts, and
educational outreach. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2020, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) Preserving and Protecting Minnesota
Native Orchid Species
new text end

new text begin $167,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota for the Minnesota Landscape
Arboretum for propagation and cultivation
research to enable long-term conservation
of at least 15 selected species of the 48
native orchid species in Minnesota. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (d) Acceleration of Minnesota
Conservation Assistance – Final Phase
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources for the final phase of a pilot
program to provide grants to soil and water
conservation districts and other units of local
and state government for employment of
staff to provide technical assistance to secure
enrollment and retention of private lands
in federal and state conservation programs.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) Metro Conservation Corridors -
Phase VIII Prairie, Forest, and Savanna
Restoration
new text end

new text begin $276,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the Friends of the
Mississippi River for Phase VIII of the
Metro Conservation Corridors partnership
to conduct restoration activities on at least
195 acres of forest and savanna and at least
60 acres of prairie to preserve and increase
wildlife habitat in the metropolitan area, as
defined under Minnesota Statutes, section
473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the
surrounding counties. Expenditures are
limited to the identified project corridor
areas as defined in the work plan. A list
of proposed restorations must be provided
as part of the required work plan. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
VIII Enhancing Restoration Techniques
for Improved Climate Resilience and
Pollinator Conservation
new text end

new text begin $400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with Great River Greening
for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
Corridors partnership to pilot and evaluate
innovative restoration techniques aimed
at improving the resilience of bur oak
communities to changing climate conditions
and enhancing prairie management to benefit
pollinators with the help and engagement
of citizen volunteers. Expenditures on
restoration efforts are limited to the identified
project corridor areas as defined in the work
plan. A list of proposed restorations must be
provided as part of the required work plan.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which point the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (g) Minnesota State University Moorhead
Prairie and Riparian Restoration and
Monitoring
new text end

new text begin $527,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities system
for Minnesota State University Moorhead
in cooperation with the Department of
Natural Resources to restore and monitor
160 acres of prairie and riparian habitat
and develop and disseminate monitoring
protocols. This appropriation is contingent
upon the donation of a 60-acre parcel to
Minnesota State University Moorhead from
the Minnesota State University Moorhead
Alumni Foundation and is available until
June 30, 2020, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (h) Improving Community Forests
Through Citizen Engagement
new text end

new text begin $800,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
to design and pilot a program, including
grants to communities, to mobilize citizen
volunteers to protect, improve, and maintain
local forests in communities around the state.
Participation is open to any municipality in
the state and participating municipalities will
be selected through a competitive proposal
process that will include representation from
both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan
areas of the state. Trees planted using this
appropriation must be species that are native
to Minnesota. A participating municipality
must provide a match of not less than 25
percent, up to half of which may be in the
form of in-kind support. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (i) Flood Recovery on Sargent Creek in
Duluth
new text end

new text begin $300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the city of Duluth to
re-establish stable and natural streambanks
with riparian and aquatic habitat restoration
on at least 5,400 linear feet of Sargent Creek
in Duluth destroyed during the flood of 2012.
new text end

new text begin (j) Shoreland Protection for Lower St.
Croix River
new text end

new text begin $190,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the St. Croix River
Association to provide technical assistance
to landowners, local governments, realtors,
and developers on shoreland conservation
and protection of the lower St. Croix River.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (k) Redwood and Renville Counties
Outdoor Recreation and Conservation
Master Plan
new text end

new text begin $75,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with Renville County
in cooperation with Redwood County to
develop a joint outdoor recreation and
conservation master plan to guide future
development and protect cultural, historical,
and natural resources in the Minnesota River
Valley.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation new text end

new text begin 14,190,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) State Parks and Trails Land
Acquisitions
new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
to acquire at least 335 acres for authorized
state trails and critical parcels within the
statutory boundaries of state parks. State
park land acquired with this appropriation
must be sufficiently improved to meet at
least minimum management standards, as
determined by the commissioner of natural
resources. A list of proposed acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required work
plan. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (b) Metropolitan Regional Park System
Land Acquisition – Phase IV
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the Metropolitan Council for grants
to acquire at least 133 acres of lands within
the approved park unit boundaries of the
metropolitan regional park system. This
appropriation may not be used to purchase
habitable residential structures. A list of
proposed fee title and easement acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required work
plan. This appropriation must be matched
by at least 40 percent of nonstate money that
must be committed by December 31, 2015, or
the appropriation cancels. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (c) SNA Acquisition, Restoration,
Enhancement, and Public Engagement
new text end

new text begin $4,000,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
to acquire at least 350 acres of lands with
high-quality native plant communities and
rare features to be established as scientific
and natural areas as provided in Minnesota
Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5,
restore and improve at least 550 acres of
scientific and natural areas, and provide
technical assistance and outreach. A list of
proposed acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required work plan. Land acquired
with this appropriation must be sufficiently
improved to meet at least minimum
management standards, as determined by
the commissioner of natural resources. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

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

new text begin $3,325,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the commissioner of natural resources
to acquire native prairie bank easements on
at least 675 acres, prepare baseline property
assessments, restore and enhance at least
1,000 acres of native prairie sites, and provide
technical assistance to landowners. Of this
amount, up to $135,000 must be deposited
in a conservation easement stewardship
account. Deposits into the conservation
easement stewardship account must be made
upon closing on conservation easements or at
a time otherwise approved in the work plan.
A list of proposed easement acquisitions must
be provided as part of the required work plan.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (e) Metro Conservation Corridors -
Phase VIII Coordination, Mapping, and
Conservation Easements
new text end

new text begin $515,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the Minnesota
Land Trust for Phase VIII of the Metro
Conservation Corridors partnership to
provide coordination and mapping for
the partnership and to acquire permanent
conservation easements on at least 120 acres
of strategic ecological landscapes to protect
priority natural areas in the metropolitan
area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions
of the surrounding counties. A list of
proposed easement acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required work plan.
Land acquired with this appropriation
must be sufficiently improved to meet at
least minimum management standards, as
determined by the commissioner of natural
resources. Expenditures are limited to the
identified project corridor areas as defined in
the work plan. Up to $40,000 may be used
for coordination and mapping for the Metro
Conservation Corridors. All conservation
easements must be perpetual and have a
natural resource management plan. A list
of proposed easement acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required work plan.
This appropriation is available June 30, 2018,
by which time the project must be completed
and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
VIII Strategic Lands Protection
new text end

new text begin $750,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources for
an agreement with The Trust for Public Land
for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at
least 35 acres of high-quality priority state
and local natural areas in the metropolitan
area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions
of the surrounding counties. A list of
proposed acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required work plan. Land acquired
with this appropriation must be sufficiently
improved to meet at least minimum
management standards, as determined by
the commissioner of natural resources.
Expenditures are limited to the identified
project corridor areas as defined in the work
plan. This appropriation may not be used
to purchase habitable residential structures,
unless expressly approved in the work
plan. A list of fee title acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required work plan.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (g) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
VIII Priority Expansion of Minnesota
Valley National Wildlife Refuge
new text end

new text begin $500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for an agreement with the Minnesota Valley
National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. for
Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
Corridors partnership to acquire in fee
at least 100 acres of priority habitat for
the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife
Refuge in the metropolitan area, as defined
under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121,
subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding
counties. A list of proposed acquisitions
must be provided as part of the required work
plan. Land acquired with this appropriation
must be sufficiently improved to meet at
least minimum management standards.
Expenditures are limited to the identified
project corridor areas as defined in the work
plan. This appropriation may not be used
to purchase habitable residential structures,
unless expressly approved in the work plan.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (h) Metro Conservation Corridors -
Phase VIII Wildlife Management Area
Acquisition
new text end

new text begin $400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the commissioner of natural resources
for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at
least 82 acres along the lower reaches of the
Vermillion River in Dakota County within
the Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area.
Land acquired with this appropriation must
be sufficiently improved to meet at least
minimum management standards. This
appropriation may not be used to purchase
habitable residential structures, unless
expressly approved in the work plan. This
appropriation is available until June 30,
2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (i) Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to
Ely – Phase II
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the first 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
for the right-of-way acquisition, design,
and construction of segments of the Mesabi
Trail, totaling approximately seven miles
between Soudan and Ely. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018, by which
time the project must be completed and final
products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (j) Multi-benefit Watershed Scale
Conservation on North Central Lakes
new text end

new text begin $950,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to
secure permanent conservation easements
on at least 480 acres of high-quality habitat
in Crow Wing and Cass Counties. Of this
amount, up to $65,000 must be deposited in a
conservation easement stewardship account;
and $54,000 is for an agreement with the
Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation in
cooperation with Crow Wing County Soil
and Water Conservation District and Cass
County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Deposits into the conservation easement
stewardship account must be made upon
closing on conservation easements or at a
time otherwise approved in the work plan. A
list of proposed easement acquisitions must
be provided as part of the required work plan.
This appropriation is available until June
30, 2018, by which time the project must be
completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin (k) Conservation Easement Assessment
and Valuation System Development
new text end

new text begin $250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to assess the effectiveness of
existing conservation easements acquired
through state expenditures at achieving
their intended outcomes of public value
and ecological benefits and to develop
a standardized, objective conservation
easement valuation system for guiding future
state investments in conservation easements
to ensure the proposed environmental
benefits are being achieved in a cost-effective
manner. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
be completed and final products delivered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Emerging Issues Account new text end

new text begin 1,000,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
to an emerging issues account authorized
in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.08,
subdivision 4, paragraph (d).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end new text begin Administration and Contract Agreement Reimbursement new text end

new text begin 1,207,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources
new text end

new text begin $1,072,000 the first year is from the trust
fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission
on Minnesota Resources for administration
in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 as provided
in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09,
subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (b) Contract Agreement Reimbursement
new text end

new text begin $135,000 the first 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 for contract agreement
reimbursement for the agreements specified
in this section. The commissioner
shall provide documentation to the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of
these funds.
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 the 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 until June 30, 2017,
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 original
expiration date of the appropriation. If a
project receives a federal grant, the time
period of the appropriation is extended to
equal the federal grant period.
new text end

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

new text begin Data collected by the projects funded under
this section must conform to guidelines
and standards adopted by MN.IT Services.
Spatial data also must 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 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 projects. 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 beyond 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 the
implementation of 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 of the 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
prior to 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 address specific groundwater
and surface water quality protection activities
such as keeping water on the landscape,
reducing nutrient and contaminant loading,
protecting groundwater, 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 shall 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
the use of public funds, within 60 days
of the transaction, a recipient of money
appropriated under this section must 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 Minnesota 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 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, 2015, or the date the work plan is
approved, whichever is later, are eligible for
reimbursement unless otherwise provided
in this section. Periodic payment 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 Purchase of 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
purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable
materials; and Minnesota Statutes, section
16C.073, regarding purchase and use of
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 the planning
and construction of 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; Extension new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the appropriations for
the following projects are extended to June
30, 2016:
new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
subdivision 4, paragraph (l), Restorations
Evaluations;
new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
subdivision 6, paragraph (b), detecting and
monitoring certain carp populations; and
new text end

new text begin (3) Laws 2011, First Special Session
chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision
4, paragraph (g), Minnesota River Valley
Green Corridor Scientific and Natural Area
Acquisition.
new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the appropriations for
the following projects are extended to June
30, 2017:
new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
subdivision 5, paragraph (e), Measuring
Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge
Habitat Restoration; and
new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 2,
subdivision 3, paragraph (m), Measuring
Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge
Habitat Restoration.
new text end

new text begin (c) The availability of the appropriation for
the following project is extended to June
30, 2019: Laws 2014, chapter 226, section
2, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), Enhancing
Pollinator Landscapes.
new text end

new text begin (d) The following project may be extended
statewide, Laws 2014, chapter 226, section
2, subdivision 9, paragraph (c), Urban
Environmental Education Engaging Students
in Local Resources.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Duties.

(a) The commission shall recommend an annual or biennial
legislative bill for appropriations from the environment and natural resources trust fund and
shall adopt a strategic plan as provided in section 116P.08. Approval of the recommended
legislative bill requires an affirmative vote of at least 12 members of the commission.

(b) It is a condition of acceptance of the appropriations made from the Minnesota
environment and natural resources trust fund, and oil overcharge money under section
4.071, subdivision 2, that the agency or entity receiving the appropriation must
submit a work plan and semiannual progress reports in the form determined by the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and comply with applicable
reporting requirements under section 116P.16. None of the money provided may be
spent unless the commission has approved the pertinent work plan. Modifications to
the approved work plan and budget expenditures shall be made through the amendment
process established by the commission. The commission shall ensure that the expenditures
and outcomes described in the work plan for appropriations funded by the environment
and natural resources trust fund are met.

(c) The peer review deleted text begin panel deleted text end new text begin procedures new text end created under section 116P.08 must also new text begin be
used to new text end review, comment, and report to the commission on research proposals applying for
an appropriation from the oil overcharge money under section 4.071, subdivision 2.

(d) The commission may adopt operating procedures to fulfill its duties under this
chapter.

(e) As part of the operating procedures, the commission shall:

(1) ensure that members' expectations are to participate in all meetings related to
funding decision recommendations;

(2) recommend adequate funding for increased citizen outreach and communications
for trust fund expenditure planning;

(3) allow administrative expenses as part of individual project expenditures based
on need;

(4) provide for project outcome evaluation;

(5) keep the grant application, administration, and review process as simple as
possible; and

(6) define and emphasize the leveraging of additional sources of money that project
proposers should consider when making trust fund proposals.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Public meetings.

(a) Meetings of the commission, committees or
subcommittees of the commission, technical advisory committees, and peer deleted text begin review panels
deleted text end new text begin reviewers new text end must be open to the public. The commission shall attempt to meet throughout
various regions of the state during each biennium. For purposes of this subdivision, a
meeting occurs when a quorum is present and action is taken regarding a matter within
the jurisdiction of the commission, a committee or subcommittee of the commission, a
technical advisory committee, or deleted text begin a deleted text end peer deleted text begin review panel deleted text end new text begin reviewers new text end .

(b) For legislative members of the commission, enforcement of this subdivision is
governed by section 3.055, subdivision 2. For nonlegislative members of the commission,
enforcement of this subdivision is governed by section 13D.06, subdivisions 1 and 2.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Peer review.

(a) Research proposals must include a stated purpose directly
connected to the trust fund's constitutional mandate, this chapter, and the adopted strategic
plan under subdivision 3, a timeline, potential outcomes, and an explanation of the need
for the research. All research proposals must be new text begin peer new text end reviewed deleted text begin by a peer review panel
deleted text end before receiving an appropriation.

(b) In conducting research proposal reviews, the peer deleted text begin review panel deleted text end new text begin reviewers new text end shall:

(1) comment on the methodology proposed and whether it can be expected to yield
appropriate and useful information and data; new text begin and
new text end

(2) comment on the need for the research and about similar existing information
available, if any deleted text begin ; and deleted text end new text begin .
new text end

deleted text begin (3) report to the commission on clauses (1) and (2) deleted text end new text begin (c) Peer reviewers' comments
under paragraph (b) must be reported to the commission new text end .

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end The peer deleted text begin review panel also must deleted text end new text begin reviewers may new text end review completed research
proposals that have received an appropriation and comment and report upon whether the
project reached the intended goals.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Peer deleted text begin review panel membership deleted text end new text begin reviewers new text end .

(a) The peer deleted text begin review panel
deleted text end new text begin reviewers new text end must deleted text begin consist of at least five members who are deleted text end new text begin be new text end knowledgeable in general
research methods in the areas of environment and natural resources. deleted text begin Not more than two
members of the panel may be employees of state agencies in Minnesota.
deleted text end

(b) deleted text begin The commission shall select a chair every two years who shall be responsible for
convening meetings of the panel as often as is necessary to fulfill its duties as prescribed
in this section. deleted text end Compensation of deleted text begin panel members deleted text end new text begin peer reviewers new text end is governed by section
15.059, subdivision 3.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Conflict of interest.

A commission member, a technical advisory
committee member, a peer deleted text begin review panelist deleted text end new text begin reviewer new text end , or an employee of the commission
may not participate in or vote on a decision of the commission, advisory committee, or
peer review deleted text begin panel deleted text end relating to an organization in which the member, deleted text begin panelist deleted text end new text begin peer reviewer new text end ,
or employee has either a direct or indirect personal financial interest. While serving on the
commission, technical advisory committee, deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin as a new text end peer deleted text begin review panel deleted text end new text begin reviewer new text end , or being
an employee of the commission, a person shall avoid any potential conflict of interest.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Technical advisory committees.

The commission shall make use of
available public and private expertise on environment and natural resource issues deleted text begin by
appointing deleted text end new text begin and may appoint new text end necessary technical advisory committees to review funding
proposals and evaluate project outcomes. Compensation for technical advisory committee
members is governed by section 15.059, subdivision 6.