SF 698

1st Unofficial Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/16/2015 07:26pm

1.1A bill for an act

1.2relating to natural resources; appropriating money from environment and natural
1.3resources trust fund; modifying provisions for Legislative-Citizen Commission
1.4on Minnesota Resources;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 116P.05,
1.5subdivision 2; 116P.08, subdivisions 5, 6, 7; 116P.09, subdivisions 1, 6, 8.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.

1.8The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
1.9agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the
1.10environment and natural resources trust fund, or another named fund, and are available for
1.11the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2016" and "2017" used in this act
1.12mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June
1.1330, 2016, or June 30, 2017, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2016. "The second
1.14year" is fiscal year 2017. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

1.15				APPROPRIATIONS
1.16				Available for the Year
1.17				Ending June 30
1.18					2016		2017

1.19

Sec. 2. MINNESOTA RESOURCES.

1.20

Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation

$

46,383,000

$

-0-

1.21	Appropriations by Fund
1.22		2016	2017
2.1 2.2 2.3	Environment and natural resources trust fund	46,324,000	-0-
2.4 2.5	Great Lakes protection account	59,000	-0-

2.6The amounts that may be spent for each
2.7purpose are specified in the following
2.8subdivisions.
2.9Appropriations are available for two
2.10years beginning July 1, 2015, unless
2.11otherwise stated in the appropriation. Any
2.12unencumbered balance remaining in the
2.13first year does not cancel and is available
2.14for the second year or until the end of the
2.15appropriation.

2.16

Subd. 2.Definition

2.17"Trust fund" means the Minnesota
2.18environment and natural resources trust fund
2.19referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section
2.20116P.02, subdivision 6.

2.21 2.22

Subd. 3.Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information

12,932,000

-0-

2.23(a) County Geologic Atlases - Part A
2.24$2,040,000 the first year is from the trust fund
2.25to the Board of Regents of the University
2.26of Minnesota for the Minnesota Geological
2.27Survey to continue acceleration of the
2.28production of county geologic atlases for
2.29the purpose of sustainable management of
2.30surface water and groundwater resources.
2.31This appropriation is to complete Part A of
2.32county geologic atlases, which focuses on the
2.33properties and distribution of earth materials
2.34in order to define aquifer boundaries and the
2.35connection of aquifers to the land surface and
2.36surface water resources. This appropriation
3.1is available until June 30, 2018, by which
3.2time the project must be completed and final
3.3products delivered.
3.4(b) County Geologic Atlases - Part B
3.5$2,000,000 the first year is from the trust
3.6fund to the commissioner of natural resources
3.7to continue acceleration of the production of
3.8county geologic atlases for the purpose of
3.9sustainable management of surface water and
3.10groundwater resources. This appropriation
3.11is to complete Part B of county geologic
3.12atlases, which focuses on the properties
3.13and distribution of subsurface water found
3.14within geologic formations mapped in Part
3.15A in order to characterize the potential
3.16yield of aquifers and their sensitivity
3.17to contamination. This appropriation is
3.18available until June 30, 2018, by which time
3.19the project must be completed and final
3.20products delivered.
3.21(c) Minnesota Biological Survey
3.22$2,700,000 the first year is from the
3.23trust fund to the commissioner of natural
3.24resources for continuation of the Minnesota
3.25biological survey to provide a foundation
3.26for conserving biological diversity by
3.27systematically collecting, interpreting,
3.28monitoring, and delivering data on plant and
3.29animal distribution and ecology, native plant
3.30communities, and functional landscapes.
3.31(d) Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas for
3.32Enhanced Natural Resource Management
3.33$340,000 the first year is from the trust fund
3.34to the Board of Regents of the University of
3.35Minnesota for the Bell Museum of Natural
4.1History to create a publicly accessible, online
4.2tool and repository that will electronically
4.3integrate over 600,000 existing biodiversity
4.4records, 300,000 existing images, and future
4.5data and associated imagery pertaining to
4.6Minnesota wildlife, plant, and fungi species
4.7in order to enhance research, guide field
4.8surveys, and inform conservation planning.
4.9This appropriation is available until June
4.1030, 2018, by which time the project must be
4.11completed and final products delivered.
4.12(e) Updating the National Wetland
4.13Inventory for Minnesota - Phase V
4.14$1,500,000 the first year is from the
4.15trust fund to the commissioner of natural
4.16resources to continue to update and enhance
4.17wetland inventory maps for Minnesota. This
4.18appropriation is available until June 30,
4.192018, by which time the project must be
4.20completed and final products delivered.
4.21(f) Creating a Statewide Wetland Bird
4.22Monitoring Program
4.23$146,000 the first year is from the trust fund
4.24to the commissioner of natural resources for
4.25an agreement with Audubon Minnesota to
4.26develop a statewide wetland bird monitoring
4.27program to enable long-term monitoring of
4.28the status of wetland birds and the health of
4.29their wetland habitats. This appropriation
4.30is available until June 30, 2018, by which
4.31time the project must be completed and final
4.32products delivered.
4.33(g) Minnesota Native Bee Atlas
4.34$790,000 the first year is from the trust
4.35fund to the Board of Regents of the
5.1University of Minnesota to supplement
5.2and enhance existing bee survey efforts by
5.3engaging citizens in helping to document the
5.4distribution and phenology of wild Minnesota
5.5bees and integrating data from all related
5.6bee survey efforts into a single publicly
5.7accessible, online tool and repository. This
5.8appropriation is available until June 30,
5.92019, by which time the project must be
5.10completed and final products delivered.
5.11(h) Reintroduction and Interpretation of
5.12Bison in Minnesota State Parks
5.13$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund
5.14to the commissioner of natural resources to
5.15preserve American bison by reintroducing
5.16bison to Minneopa State Park and provide
5.17interpretive learning opportunities at Blue
5.18Mounds and Minneopa State Parks. This
5.19appropriation is available until June 30,
5.202018, by which time the project must be
5.21completed and final products delivered.
5.22(i) Endangered Bats, White-Nose
5.23Syndrome, and Forest Habitat
5.24$1,250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
5.25to the commissioner of natural resources in
5.26cooperation with the University of Minnesota
5.27and the United States Forest Service to
5.28survey and radio-track endangered bats to
5.29define and understand summer forest habitat
5.30use in order to minimize forestry impacts
5.31and mitigate white-nose syndrome disease
5.32impacts. This appropriation is available until
5.33June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
5.34be completed and final products delivered.
6.1(j) Assessing Contaminants in Minnesota
6.2Loons and Pelicans - Phase III
6.3$141,000 the first year is from the trust fund
6.4to the commissioner of natural resources
6.5to continue to assess the potential impact
6.6of petroleum, dispersants, and heavy metal
6.7contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon oil
6.8spill in the Gulf of Mexico on the wintering
6.9habitat of Minnesota's common loons
6.10and white pelicans using radiotelemetry,
6.11geolocators, and contaminant analysis.
6.12(k) Movement and Seasonal Habitat Use
6.13of Minnesota Elk
6.14$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
6.15to the commissioner of natural resources
6.16to collect biological information about
6.17Minnesota elk, including movements and
6.18habitat use to enable long-term, sustainable
6.19management. This appropriation is
6.20contingent on a $50,000 match from state
6.21or nonstate sources. This appropriation is
6.22available until June 30, 2018, by which time
6.23the project must be completed and final
6.24products delivered.
6.25(l) Genetic and Camera Techniques to
6.26Estimate Carnivore Populations
6.27$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
6.28to the Board of Regents of the University
6.29of Minnesota – Duluth for the Natural
6.30Resources Research Institute to use genetic
6.31sampling and remote cameras to improve
6.32monitoring of distributions and estimate
6.33population sizes of carnivore species.
6.34(m) Digitization of Historic Gullion Ruffed
6.35Grouse Research
7.1$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund
7.2to the commissioner of natural resources for
7.3an agreement with Central Lakes College
7.4to preserve the Gordon Gullion ruffed
7.5grouse data sets as permanent digital data
7.6files in order to improve accessibility to
7.7the information and inform forest wildlife
7.8conservation policies and practices.
7.9(n) Effects of Grazing Versus Fire for
7.10Prairie Management
7.11$414,000 the first year is from the trust fund
7.12to the Board of Regents of the University
7.13of Minnesota to compare the effects of
7.14conservation grazing and prescribed fire
7.15on tallgrass prairie plants and pollinators
7.16in Minnesota in order to inform and
7.17improve land management practices. This
7.18appropriation is available until June 30,
7.192018, by which time the project must be
7.20completed and final products delivered.
7.21(o) Assessing Ecological Impact of St.
7.22Anthony Falls Lock Closure
7.23$125,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
7.24the commissioner of natural resources for an
7.25agreement with the Minneapolis Riverfront
7.26Partnership to study the impact of altered
7.27river flow due to closure of the Upper Lock
7.28on the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls
7.29on the physical and biological characteristics
7.30of the river between the Coon Rapids Dam
7.31and Lock and Dam No. 1 in order to inform
7.32future river restoration efforts.
7.33(p) Foundational Dataset Characterizing
7.34Historic Forest Disturbance Impacts
8.1$200,000 the first year is from the trust fund
8.2to the Board of Regents of the University
8.3of Minnesota to quantify forest disturbance
8.4impacts over the past forty years on water
8.5quality, wildlife demographics, and wood
8.6fiber supply in order to identify management
8.7strategies that better respond to disturbance
8.8impacts and improve and sustain forest
8.9resources. This appropriation is available
8.10until June 30, 2018, by which time the
8.11project must be completed and final products
8.12delivered.
8.13(q) Hydrologic Effects of Contemporary
8.14Forest Practices in Minnesota
8.15$150,000 the first year is from the trust
8.16fund to the Board of Regents of the
8.17University of Minnesota to install hydrologic
8.18monitoring stations to collect water quantity
8.19and quality data from lands managed for
8.20timber production to better understand the
8.21relationship between harvest practices and
8.22water resources and related responses to
8.23changing climate and other disturbance
8.24factors in order to inform forest management
8.25practices. This appropriation is available
8.26until June 30, 2018, by which time the
8.27project must be completed and final products
8.28delivered.
8.29(r) Habitat Mitigation for Goblin Fern
8.30Conservation
8.31$61,000 the first year is from the trust fund
8.32to the commissioner of natural resources for
8.33an agreement with the Leech Lake Band of
8.34Ojibwe to examine goblin fern populations, a
8.35threatened species in Minnesota, in relation
9.1to habitat degradation and to develop
9.2long-term habitat mitigation and species
9.3conservation strategies. This appropriation
9.4is available until June 30, 2018, by which
9.5time the project must be completed and final
9.6products delivered.

9.7

Subd. 4.Water Resources

3,065,000

-0-

9.8(a) Understanding Water Scarcity,
9.9Threats, and Values to Improve
9.10Management
9.11$234,000 the first year is from the trust fund
9.12to the Board of Regents of the University of
9.13Minnesota to model and map statewide water
9.14scarcity and abundance; assess water-related
9.15risks to industry, municipalities, and
9.16ecosystems; and quantify the economic
9.17values of changes in water quality and
9.18quantity in order to inform long-term water
9.19sustainability strategies. This appropriation
9.20is available until June 30, 2018, by which
9.21time the project must be completed and final
9.22products delivered.
9.23(b) Biofilm Technology for Water Nutrient
9.24Removal
9.25$281,000 the first year is from the trust fund
9.26to the Board of Regents of the University
9.27of Minnesota to develop a simulated lichen
9.28biofilm system that can be used to remove
9.29pollutants and recycle nutrients from storm
9.30water runoff and polluted lakes, ponds, and
9.31lagoons. This appropriation is subject to
9.32Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
9.33appropriation is available until June 30,
9.342018, by which time the project must be
9.35completed and final products delivered.
10.1(c) Biological Consequences of Septic
10.2Pollution in Minnesota Lakes
10.3$364,000 the first year is from the trust fund
10.4to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota
10.5State Colleges and Universities system for
10.6St. Cloud State University to assess the
10.7presence of possible sources of contaminants
10.8of emerging concern in Minnesota lakes
10.9in order to determine their effects on fish
10.10health, understand the potential contribution
10.11from septic systems, and inform options
10.12for remediation and prevention to protect
10.13Minnesota lakes from these contaminants in
10.14the future. This appropriation is available
10.15until June 30, 2018, by which time the
10.16project must be completed and final products
10.17delivered.
10.18(d) Preventing Phosphorous from Entering
10.19Water Resources through Drain Tiles
10.20$505,000 the first year is from the trust
10.21fund to the Board of Regents of the
10.22University of Minnesota to develop a new
10.23nanocomposite material made from biomass
10.24that is designed to adsorb phosphorus,
10.25nitrogen, and pesticides from storm water
10.26and drain tile runoff discharge for recycling
10.27back to agricultural lands. This appropriation
10.28is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
10.29116P.10.
10.30(e) Southeast Minnesota Cover Crop and
10.31Soil Health Initiatives
10.32$253,000 the first year is from the trust fund
10.33to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to
10.34promote cover crops as a means of protecting
10.35soil and water quality in southeastern
11.1Minnesota through training and education
11.2for local practitioners, economic analysis of
11.3implementation, and on-farm demonstration
11.4sites. This effort must be coordinated with
11.5the University of Minnesota Forever Green
11.6Initiative. This appropriation is available
11.7until June 30, 2018, by which time the
11.8project must be completed and final products
11.9delivered.
11.10(f) Southeast Minnesota Subsurface
11.11Drainage Impacts on Groundwater
11.12Recharge
11.13$488,000 the first year is from the trust fund
11.14to the commissioner of natural resources
11.15for an agreement with the United States
11.16Geological Survey to assess the relationship
11.17between agricultural drainage and water
11.18flow within the unique karst geology of
11.19southeast Minnesota to characterize the
11.20potential impacts of drainage on groundwater
11.21recharge and groundwater sustainability in
11.22the region. This appropriation is not subject
11.23to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
11.24appropriation is available until June 30,
11.252019, by which time the project must be
11.26completed and final products delivered.
11.27(g) Using Hydroacoustics to Monitor
11.28Sediment in Minnesota Rivers
11.29$455,000 the first year is from the trust fund
11.30to the commissioner of natural resources
11.31for an agreement with the United States
11.32Geological Survey to install hydroacoustic
11.33equipment on the lower Minnesota and
11.34Mississippi Rivers to improve measurement
11.35and monitoring accuracy for suspended
12.1sediment and enhance ongoing sediment
12.2reduction efforts by state, federal, and local
12.3agencies. This appropriation is not subject
12.4to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10. This
12.5appropriation is available until June 30,
12.62019, by which time the project must be
12.7completed and final products delivered.
12.8(h) Assessment of Irrigation Efficiencies in
12.9Benton County
12.10$431,000 the first year is from the trust fund
12.11to the commissioner of natural resources
12.12for an agreement with Benton Soil and
12.13Water Conservation District to develop and
12.14implement a decision support system to
12.15increase irrigation efficiencies and provide
12.16outreach on irrigation best management
12.17practices. Software developed with this
12.18appropriation must be available in the public
12.19domain. Project efforts should be coordinated
12.20with the Department of Natural Resources.
12.21This appropriation is available until June
12.2230, 2019, by which time the project must be
12.23completed and final products delivered.
12.24(i) Shoreview Water Consumption and
12.25Groundwater Awareness Project
12.26$54,000 the first year is from the trust fund
12.27to the commissioner of natural resources for
12.28an agreement with the city of Shoreview
12.29to provide biweekly water consumption
12.30data to at least 400 residential households
12.31for a two-year period to determine whether
12.32additional groundwater can be conserved
12.33with greater awareness of consumption data.
12.34This appropriation is available until June
13.130, 2018, by which time the project must be
13.2completed and final products delivered.

13.3

Subd. 5.Environmental Education

1,004,000

-0-

13.4(a) Trap Shooting Sports Facility Grants
13.5$132,000 the first year is from the trust fund
13.6to the commissioner of natural resources
13.7for trap shooting sports facility grants under
13.8Minnesota Statutes, section 87A.10.
13.9(b) Connecting Students with Watersheds
13.10through Hands-On Learning
13.11$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund to
13.12the commissioner of natural resources for an
13.13agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
13.14to provide hands-on learning focused on
13.15water quality, groundwater, aquatic life,
13.16and watershed health stewardship. This
13.17appropriation is available until June 30,
13.182018, by which time the project must be
13.19completed and final products delivered.
13.20(c) Zumbro River Watershed Recreational
13.21Learning Stewardship Sites
13.22$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
13.23to the commissioner of natural resources for
13.24an agreement with the Zumbro Watershed
13.25Partnership to develop at least six recreational
13.26and educational sites on the Zumbro River
13.27with water quality demonstration elements
13.28and interpretative signage designed to
13.29encourage adoption of water protection
13.30practices. No more than 15 percent of this
13.31appropriation may be spent on site and
13.32construction consultation, planning, and
13.33design. Any plantings or restoration activities
13.34conducted with this appropriation must use
14.1native plant species according to the Board of
14.2Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
14.3establishment and enhancement guidelines.
14.4This appropriation is available until June
14.530, 2018, by which time the project must be
14.6completed and final products delivered.
14.7(d) Students Engaging Local Watersheds
14.8Using Mobile Technologies
14.9$147,000 the first year is from the trust fund
14.10to the commissioner of natural resources
14.11for an agreement with Twin Cities Public
14.12Television to deliver an experiential,
14.13project-based educational program using
14.14mobile technologies to empower at least 200
14.15middle school students in 4-H programs to
14.16engage in understanding and protecting local
14.17water resources.
14.18(e) Mississippi River Water Journey
14.19Camps
14.20$25,000 the first year is from the trust fund
14.21to the Board of Regents of the University of
14.22Minnesota to design and pilot two week-long
14.23summer camps for youth ages 6 to 11 focused
14.24around clean water and the Mississippi
14.25River and designed to get children outdoors
14.26exploring and engaged with the natural
14.27environment and creating educational
14.28materials to help their communities protect
14.29water quality.

14.30 14.31

Subd. 6.Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species

6,071,000

-0-

14.32(a) Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants
14.33and Pests Center
14.34$5,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
14.35to the Board of Regents of the University
15.1of Minnesota for the Invasive Terrestrial
15.2Plants and Pests Center established in Laws
15.32014, chapter 312, article 13, section 44,
15.4to conduct research to prevent, minimize,
15.5and mitigate the threats and impacts posed
15.6by invasive plants, pathogens, and pests to
15.7the state's prairies, forests, wetlands, and
15.8agricultural resources. This appropriation
15.9is available until June 30, 2023, by which
15.10time the project must be completed and final
15.11products delivered.
15.12(b) Emerald Ash Borer Ecological and
15.13Hydrological Impacts - Phase II
15.14$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
15.15to the Board of Regents of the University
15.16of Minnesota to assess the potential impacts
15.17of emerald ash borer on Minnesota black
15.18ash forests and quantify potential impacts
15.19on native forest vegetation, invasive species
15.20spread, and hydrology. This appropriation
15.21is available until June 30, 2020, by which
15.22time the project must be completed and final
15.23products delivered.
15.24(c) Biological Control of Canada Thistle
15.25$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
15.26to the Board of Regents of the University of
15.27Minnesota to develop a biological control for
15.28Canada thistle, an invasive plant species in
15.29Minnesota. This appropriation is available
15.30until June 30, 2018, by which time the
15.31project must be completed and final products
15.32delivered.
15.33(d) Preventing New Disease of Pines in
15.34Minnesota
16.1$371,000 the first year is from the trust fund
16.2to the Board of Regents of the University of
16.3Minnesota to establish early detection for
16.4heterobasidion, an invasive root rot fungus,
16.5and develop efforts to prevent its spread
16.6and reduce its impact. This appropriation
16.7is available until June 30, 2018, by which
16.8time the project must be completed and final
16.9products delivered.

16.10 16.11

Subd. 7.Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy

2,268,000

-0-

16.12(a) Renewable and Sustainable Fertilizers
16.13Produced Locally
16.14$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund
16.15to the Board of Regents of the University
16.16of Minnesota for the Morris West Central
16.17Research and Outreach Center and Twin
16.18Cities Campus to develop and demonstrate
16.19new technologies aimed at enabling
16.20renewable and sustainable production of
16.21ammonia for fertilizer in a localized manner.
16.22This appropriation is subject to Minnesota
16.23Statutes, section 116P.10. This appropriation
16.24is available until June 30, 2018, by which
16.25time the project must be completed and final
16.26products delivered.
16.27(b) Reducing Emissions from Open
16.28Burning through Biomass Gasification
16.29$268,000 the first year is from the trust
16.30fund to the Board of Regents of the
16.31University of Minnesota in cooperation with
16.32the Department of Natural Resources to
16.33characterize and promote distributed biomass
16.34gasification of wood waste as a means for
16.35producing renewable and sustainable energy
17.1in rural areas through a demonstration at the
17.2Department of Natural Resources regional
17.3office facility in New Ulm.
17.4(c) Building Deconstruction to Reduce
17.5Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Solid
17.6Waste
17.7$845,000 the first year is from the trust fund
17.8to the commissioner of natural resources for
17.9an agreement with Better Futures Minnesota
17.10in cooperation with the Northwest Indian
17.11Opportunities Industrialization Center
17.12and $155,000 the first year is from the
17.13trust fund to the Board of Regents of the
17.14University of Minnesota – Duluth for the
17.15Natural Resources Research Institute to
17.16develop and test a model for implementing
17.17building deconstruction and material reuse
17.18as a competitive alternative to demolition
17.19for the purpose of reducing greenhouse
17.20gas emissions, reducing landfill waste, and
17.21providing job training. The project report
17.22must quantify and document greenhouse gas
17.23emissions reductions resulting from specific
17.24deconstruction techniques and materials
17.25reuses.

17.26 17.27

Subd. 8.Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat

5,646,000

-0-

17.28	Appropriations by Fund
17.29 17.30 17.31	Environment and natural resources trust fund	5,587,000	-0-
17.32 17.33	Great Lakes protection account	59,000	-0-

17.34(a) Prioritizing Future Management of
17.35North Shore Trout Streams
18.1$357,000 the first year is from the trust fund
18.2and $59,000 the first year is from the Great
18.3Lakes protection account to the Board of
18.4Regents of the University of Minnesota –
18.5Duluth for the Natural Resources Research
18.6Institute to identify key areas in North Shore
18.7streams that supply the cold groundwater
18.8essential to sustaining trout fisheries, in order
18.9to focus habitat restoration, protection, and
18.10management efforts on the areas that are
18.11most essential for long-term stream health
18.12and sustainability. This appropriation is
18.13available until June 30, 2018, by which time
18.14the project must be completed and final
18.15products delivered.
18.16(b) Propagating Native Plants and
18.17Restoring Diverse Habitats
18.18$495,000 the first year is from the trust fund
18.19to the commissioner of natural resources
18.20for an agreement with the Martin County
18.21Soil and Water Conservation District for a
18.22cooperative 13-county effort by Blue Earth,
18.23Brown, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Faribault,
18.24Freeborn, Jackson, Lake, Le Sueur, Martin,
18.25Nicollet, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties to
18.26protect and expand native forest and prairie
18.27habitat for species in greatest conservation
18.28need in four regions of the state through
18.29collection and propagation of local ecotype
18.30native plants, habitat restoration efforts, and
18.31educational outreach. This appropriation
18.32is available until June 30, 2020, by which
18.33time the project must be completed and final
18.34products delivered.
19.1(c) Preserving and Protecting Minnesota
19.2Native Orchid Species
19.3$167,000 the first year is from the trust fund
19.4to the Board of Regents of the University
19.5of Minnesota for the Minnesota Landscape
19.6Arboretum for propagation and cultivation
19.7research to enable long-term conservation
19.8of at least 15 selected species of the 48
19.9native orchid species in Minnesota. This
19.10appropriation is available until June 30,
19.112018, by which time the project must be
19.12completed and final products delivered.
19.13(d) Acceleration of Minnesota
19.14Conservation Assistance – Final Phase
19.15$2,000,000 the first year is from the trust
19.16fund to the Board of Water and Soil
19.17Resources for the final phase of a pilot
19.18program to provide grants to soil and water
19.19conservation districts and other units of local
19.20and state government for employment of
19.21staff to provide technical assistance to secure
19.22enrollment and retention of private lands
19.23in federal and state conservation programs.
19.24This appropriation is available until June
19.2530, 2018, by which time the project must be
19.26completed and final products delivered.
19.27(e) Metro Conservation Corridors -
19.28Phase VIII Prairie, Forest, and Savanna
19.29Restoration
19.30$276,000 the first year is from the trust fund
19.31to the commissioner of natural resources
19.32for an agreement with the Friends of the
19.33Mississippi River for Phase VIII of the
19.34Metro Conservation Corridors partnership
19.35to conduct restoration activities on at least
20.1260 acres of forest and savanna and at least
20.2160 acres of prairie to preserve and increase
20.3wildlife habitat in the metropolitan area, as
20.4defined under Minnesota Statutes, section
20.5473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the
20.6surrounding counties. Expenditures are
20.7limited to the identified project corridor
20.8areas as defined in the work plan. A list
20.9of proposed restorations must be provided
20.10as part of the required work plan. This
20.11appropriation is available until June 30,
20.122018, by which time the project must be
20.13completed and final products delivered.
20.14(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
20.15VIII Enhancing Restoration Techniques
20.16for Improved Climate Resilience and
20.17Pollinator Conservation
20.18$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
20.19to the commissioner of natural resources for
20.20an agreement with Great River Greening
20.21for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
20.22Corridors partnership to pilot and evaluate
20.23innovative restoration techniques aimed
20.24at improving the resilience of bur oak
20.25communities to changing climate conditions
20.26and enhancing prairie management to benefit
20.27pollinators with the help and engagement
20.28of citizen volunteers. Expenditures on
20.29restoration efforts are limited to the identified
20.30project corridor areas as defined in the work
20.31plan. A list of proposed restorations must be
20.32provided as part of the required work plan.
20.33This appropriation is available until June 30,
20.342018, by which point the project must be
20.35completed and final products delivered.
21.1(g) Minnesota State University Moorhead
21.2Prairie and Riparian Restoration and
21.3Monitoring
21.4$527,000 the first year is from the trust fund
21.5to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota
21.6State Colleges and Universities system
21.7for Minnesota State University Moorhead
21.8in cooperation with the Department of
21.9Natural Resources to restore and monitor
21.10160 acres of prairie and riparian habitat
21.11and develop and disseminate monitoring
21.12protocols. This appropriation is contingent
21.13upon the donation of a 60-acre parcel to
21.14Minnesota State University Moorhead from
21.15the Minnesota State University Moorhead
21.16Alumni Foundation and is available until
21.17June 30, 2020, by which time the project must
21.18be completed and final products delivered.
21.19(h) Improving Community Forests
21.20Through Citizen Engagement
21.21$800,000 the first year is from the trust fund
21.22to the commissioner of natural resources
21.23to design and pilot a program, including
21.24grants to communities, to mobilize citizen
21.25volunteers to protect, improve, and maintain
21.26local forests in communities around the state.
21.27Participation is open to any municipality in
21.28the state and participating municipalities will
21.29be selected through a competitive proposal
21.30process that will include representation from
21.31both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan
21.32areas of the state. Trees planted using this
21.33appropriation must be species that are native
21.34to Minnesota. A participating municipality
21.35must provide a match of not less than 25
22.1percent, up to half of which may be in the
22.2form of in-kind support. This appropriation
22.3is available until June 30, 2018, by which
22.4time the project must be completed and final
22.5products delivered.
22.6(i) Flood Recovery on Sargent Creek in
22.7Duluth
22.8$300,000 the first year is from the trust fund
22.9to the commissioner of natural resources
22.10for an agreement with the city of Duluth to
22.11re-establish stable and natural streambanks
22.12with riparian and aquatic habitat restoration
22.13on at least 5,400 linear feet of Sargent Creek
22.14in Duluth destroyed during the flood of 2012.
22.15(j) Shoreland Protection for Lower St.
22.16Croix River
22.17$190,000 the first year is from the trust fund
22.18to the commissioner of natural resources
22.19for an agreement with the St. Croix River
22.20Association to provide technical assistance
22.21to landowners, local governments, realtors,
22.22and developers on shoreland conservation
22.23and protection of the lower St. Croix River.
22.24This appropriation is available until June
22.2530, 2018, by which time the project must be
22.26completed and final products delivered.
22.27(k) Redwood and Renville Counties
22.28Outdoor Recreation and Conservation
22.29Master Plan
22.30$75,000 the first year is from the trust fund
22.31to the commissioner of natural resources
22.32for an agreement with Renville County
22.33in cooperation with Redwood County to
22.34develop a joint outdoor recreation and
22.35conservation master plan to guide future
23.1development and protect cultural, historical,
23.2and natural resources in the Minnesota River
23.3Valley.

23.4 23.5

Subd. 9.Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation

14,190,000

-0-

23.6(a) State Parks and Trails Land
23.7Acquisitions
23.8$1,500,000 the first year is from the trust
23.9fund to the commissioner of natural resources
23.10to acquire at least 335 acres for authorized
23.11state trails and critical parcels within the
23.12statutory boundaries of state parks. State
23.13park land acquired with this appropriation
23.14must be sufficiently improved to meet at
23.15least minimum management standards, as
23.16determined by the commissioner of natural
23.17resources. A list of proposed acquisitions
23.18must be provided as part of the required work
23.19plan. This appropriation is available until
23.20June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
23.21be completed and final products delivered.
23.22(b) Metropolitan Regional Park System
23.23Land Acquisition – Phase IV
23.24$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust
23.25fund to the Metropolitan Council for grants
23.26to acquire at least 133 acres of lands within
23.27the approved park unit boundaries of the
23.28metropolitan regional park system. This
23.29appropriation may not be used to purchase
23.30habitable residential structures. A list of
23.31proposed fee title and easement acquisitions
23.32must be provided as part of the required work
23.33plan. This appropriation must be matched
23.34by at least 40 percent of nonstate money that
23.35must be committed by December 31, 2015, or
24.1the appropriation cancels. This appropriation
24.2is available until June 30, 2018, by which
24.3time the project must be completed and final
24.4products delivered.
24.5(c) SNA Acquisition, Restoration,
24.6Enhancement, and Public Engagement
24.7$4,000,000 the first year is from the trust
24.8fund to the commissioner of natural resources
24.9to acquire at least 350 acres of lands with
24.10high-quality native plant communities and
24.11rare features to be established as scientific
24.12and natural areas as provided in Minnesota
24.13Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5,
24.14restore and improve at least 550 acres of
24.15scientific and natural areas, and provide
24.16technical assistance and outreach. A list of
24.17proposed acquisitions must be provided as
24.18part of the required work plan. Land acquired
24.19with this appropriation must be sufficiently
24.20improved to meet at least minimum
24.21management standards, as determined by
24.22the commissioner of natural resources. This
24.23appropriation is available until June 30,
24.242018, by which time the project must be
24.25completed and final products delivered.
24.26(d) Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie
24.27Bank Easement Acquisition
24.28$3,325,000 the first year is from the trust
24.29fund to the commissioner of natural resources
24.30to acquire native prairie bank easements on
24.31at least 675 acres, prepare baseline property
24.32assessments, restore and enhance at least
24.331,000 acres of native prairie sites, and provide
24.34technical assistance to landowners. Of this
24.35amount, up to $135,000 must be deposited
25.1in a conservation easement stewardship
25.2account. Deposits into the conservation
25.3easement stewardship account must be made
25.4upon closing on conservation easements or at
25.5a time otherwise approved in the work plan.
25.6A list of proposed easement acquisitions must
25.7be provided as part of the required work plan.
25.8This appropriation is available until June
25.930, 2018, by which time the project must be
25.10completed and final products delivered.
25.11(e) Metro Conservation Corridors -
25.12Phase VIII Coordination, Mapping, and
25.13Conservation Easements
25.14$515,000 the first year is from the trust fund
25.15to the commissioner of natural resources
25.16for an agreement with the Minnesota
25.17Land Trust for Phase VIII of the Metro
25.18Conservation Corridors partnership to
25.19provide coordination and mapping for
25.20the partnership and to acquire permanent
25.21conservation easements on at least 120 acres
25.22of strategic ecological landscapes to protect
25.23priority natural areas in the metropolitan
25.24area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes,
25.25section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions
25.26of the surrounding counties. A list of
25.27proposed easement acquisitions must be
25.28provided as part of the required work plan.
25.29Land acquired with this appropriation
25.30must be sufficiently improved to meet at
25.31least minimum management standards, as
25.32determined by the commissioner of natural
25.33resources. Expenditures are limited to the
25.34identified project corridor areas as defined in
25.35the work plan. Up to $40,000 may be used
25.36for coordination and mapping for the Metro
26.1Conservation Corridors. All conservation
26.2easements must be perpetual and have a
26.3natural resource management plan. A list
26.4of proposed easement acquisitions must be
26.5provided as part of the required work plan.
26.6This appropriation is available June 30, 2018,
26.7by which time the project must be completed
26.8and final products delivered.
26.9(f) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
26.10VIII Strategic Lands Protection
26.11$750,000 the first year is from the trust fund
26.12to the commissioner of natural resources for
26.13an agreement with The Trust for Public Land
26.14for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
26.15Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at
26.16least 35 acres of high-quality priority state
26.17and local natural areas in the metropolitan
26.18area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes,
26.19section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions
26.20of the surrounding counties. A list of
26.21proposed acquisitions must be provided as
26.22part of the required work plan. Land acquired
26.23with this appropriation must be sufficiently
26.24improved to meet at least minimum
26.25management standards, as determined by
26.26the commissioner of natural resources.
26.27Expenditures are limited to the identified
26.28project corridor areas as defined in the work
26.29plan. This appropriation may not be used
26.30to purchase habitable residential structures,
26.31unless expressly approved in the work
26.32plan. A list of fee title acquisitions must be
26.33provided as part of the required work plan.
26.34This appropriation is available until June
26.3530, 2018, by which time the project must be
26.36completed and final products delivered.
27.1(g) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase
27.2VIII Priority Expansion of Minnesota
27.3Valley National Wildlife Refuge
27.4$500,000 the first year is from the trust fund
27.5to the commissioner of natural resources
27.6for an agreement with the Minnesota Valley
27.7National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. for
27.8Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
27.9Corridors partnership to acquire in fee
27.10at least 100 acres of priority habitat for
27.11the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife
27.12Refuge in the metropolitan area, as defined
27.13under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121,
27.14subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding
27.15counties. A list of proposed acquisitions
27.16must be provided as part of the required work
27.17plan. Land acquired with this appropriation
27.18must be sufficiently improved to meet at
27.19least minimum management standards.
27.20Expenditures are limited to the identified
27.21project corridor areas as defined in the work
27.22plan. This appropriation may not be used
27.23to purchase habitable residential structures,
27.24unless expressly approved in the work plan.
27.25This appropriation is available until June
27.2630, 2018, by which time the project must be
27.27completed and final products delivered.
27.28(h) Metro Conservation Corridors -
27.29Phase VIII Wildlife Management Area
27.30Acquisition
27.31$400,000 the first year is from the trust fund
27.32to the commissioner of natural resources
27.33for Phase VIII of the Metro Conservation
27.34Corridors partnership to acquire in fee at
27.35least 82 acres along the lower reaches of the
28.1Vermillion River in Dakota County within
28.2the Gores Pool Wildlife Management Area.
28.3Land acquired with this appropriation must
28.4be sufficiently improved to meet at least
28.5minimum management standards. This
28.6appropriation may not be used to purchase
28.7habitable residential structures, unless
28.8expressly approved in the work plan. This
28.9appropriation is available until June 30,
28.102018, by which time the project must be
28.11completed and final products delivered.
28.12(i) Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to
28.13Ely – Phase II
28.14$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust
28.15fund to the commissioner of natural resources
28.16for an agreement with the St. Louis and
28.17Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority
28.18for the right-of-way acquisition, design,
28.19and construction of segments of the Mesabi
28.20Trail, totaling approximately seven miles
28.21between Soudan and Ely. This appropriation
28.22is available until June 30, 2018, by which
28.23time the project must be completed and final
28.24products delivered.
28.25(j) Multi-benefit Watershed Scale
28.26Conservation on North Central Lakes
28.27$950,000 the first year is from the trust fund
28.28to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to
28.29secure permanent conservation easements
28.30on at least 480 acres of high-quality habitat
28.31in Crow Wing and Cass Counties. Of this
28.32amount, up to $65,000 must be deposited in a
28.33conservation easement stewardship account;
28.34and $54,000 is for an agreement with the
28.35Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation in
29.1cooperation with Crow Wing County Soil
29.2and Water Conservation District and Cass
29.3County Soil and Water Conservation District.
29.4Deposits into the conservation easement
29.5stewardship account must be made upon
29.6closing on conservation easements or at a
29.7time otherwise approved in the work plan. A
29.8list of proposed easement acquisitions must
29.9be provided as part of the required work plan.
29.10This appropriation is available until June
29.1130, 2018, by which time the project must be
29.12completed and final products delivered.
29.13(k) Conservation Easement Assessment
29.14and Valuation System Development
29.15$250,000 the first year is from the trust fund
29.16to the Board of Regents of the University
29.17of Minnesota to assess the effectiveness of
29.18existing conservation easements acquired
29.19through state expenditures at achieving
29.20their intended outcomes of public value
29.21and ecological benefits and to develop
29.22a standardized, objective conservation
29.23easement valuation system for guiding future
29.24state investments in conservation easements
29.25to ensure the proposed environmental
29.26benefits are being achieved in a cost-effective
29.27manner. This appropriation is available until
29.28June 30, 2018, by which time the project must
29.29be completed and final products delivered.

29.30 29.31

Subd. 10.Administration and Contract Agreement Reimbursement

1,207,000

-0-

29.32(a) Legislative-Citizen Commission on
29.33Minnesota Resources
29.34$1,072,000 the first year is from the trust
29.35fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission
30.1on Minnesota Resources for administration
30.2in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 as provided
30.3in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09,
30.4subdivision 5.
30.5(b) Contract Agreement Reimbursement
30.6$135,000 the first year is from the trust fund
30.7to the commissioner of natural resources
30.8at the direction of the Legislative-Citizen
30.9Commission on Minnesota Resources for
30.10expenses incurred for contract agreement
30.11reimbursement for the agreements specified
30.12in this section. The commissioner
30.13shall provide documentation to the
30.14Legislative-Citizen Commission on
30.15Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of
30.16these funds.

30.17

Subd. 11.Availability of Appropriations

30.18Money appropriated in this section may
30.19not be spent on activities unless they are
30.20directly related to and necessary for a specific
30.21appropriation and are specified in the work
30.22plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen
30.23Commission on Minnesota Resources.
30.24Money appropriated in this section must
30.25not be spent on indirect costs or other
30.26institutional overhead charges that are
30.27not directly related to and necessary for
30.28a specific appropriation. Costs that are
30.29directly related to and necessary for an
30.30appropriation, including financial services,
30.31human resources, information services, rent,
30.32and utilities, are eligible only if the costs
30.33can be clearly justified and individually
30.34documented specific to the appropriation's
30.35purpose and would not be generated by
31.1the recipient but for the receipt of the
31.2appropriation. No broad allocations for costs
31.3in either dollars or percentages are allowed.
31.4Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in
31.5this section are available until June 30, 2017,
31.6when projects must be completed and final
31.7products delivered. For acquisition of real
31.8property, the appropriations in this section
31.9are available for an additional fiscal year if a
31.10binding contract for acquisition of the real
31.11property is entered into before the original
31.12expiration date of the appropriation. If a
31.13project receives a federal grant, the time
31.14period of the appropriation is extended to
31.15equal the federal grant period.

31.16

Subd. 12.Data Availability Requirements

31.17Data collected by the projects funded under
31.18this section must conform to guidelines
31.19and standards adopted by MN.IT Services.
31.20Spatial data also must conform to additional
31.21guidelines and standards designed to support
31.22data coordination and distribution that have
31.23been published by the Minnesota Geospatial
31.24Information Office. Descriptions of spatial
31.25data must be prepared as specified in
31.26the state's geographic metadata guideline
31.27and must be submitted to the Minnesota
31.28Geospatial Information Office. All data must
31.29be accessible and free to the public unless
31.30made private under the Data Practices Act,
31.31Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. To the extent
31.32practicable, summary data and results of
31.33projects funded under this section should
31.34be readily accessible on the Internet and
31.35identified as having received funding from
32.1the environment and natural resources trust
32.2fund.

32.3

Subd. 13.Project Requirements

32.4(a) As a condition of accepting an
32.5appropriation under this section, an agency
32.6or entity receiving an appropriation or a
32.7party to an agreement from an appropriation
32.8must comply with paragraphs (b) to (l)
32.9and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P, and
32.10must submit a work plan and semiannual
32.11progress reports in the form determined
32.12by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
32.13Minnesota Resources for any project funded
32.14in whole or in part with funds from the
32.15appropriation. Modifications to the approved
32.16work plan and budget expenditures must
32.17be made through the amendment process
32.18established by the Legislative-Citizen
32.19Commission on Minnesota Resources.
32.20(b) A recipient of money appropriated in
32.21this section that conducts a restoration using
32.22funds appropriated in this section must use
32.23native plant species according to the Board of
32.24Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
32.25establishment and enhancement guidelines
32.26and include an appropriate diversity of
32.27native species selected to provide habitat for
32.28pollinators throughout the growing season as
32.29required under Minnesota Statutes, section
32.3084.973.
32.31(c) For all restorations conducted with money
32.32appropriated under this section, a recipient
32.33must prepare an ecological restoration
32.34and management plan that, to the degree
32.35practicable, is consistent with the highest
33.1quality conservation and ecological goals for
33.2the restoration site. Consideration should
33.3be given to soil, geology, topography, and
33.4other relevant factors that would provide
33.5the best chance for long-term success and
33.6durability of the restoration projects. The
33.7plan must include the proposed timetable
33.8for implementing the restoration, including
33.9site preparation, establishment of diverse
33.10plant species, maintenance, and additional
33.11enhancement to establish the restoration;
33.12identify long-term maintenance and
33.13management needs of the restoration and
33.14how the maintenance, management, and
33.15enhancement will be financed; and take
33.16advantage of the best available science and
33.17include innovative techniques to achieve the
33.18best restoration.
33.19(d) An entity receiving an appropriation in
33.20this section for restoration activities must
33.21provide an initial restoration evaluation
33.22at the completion of the appropriation
33.23and an evaluation three years beyond the
33.24completion of the expenditure. Restorations
33.25must be evaluated relative to the stated
33.26goals and standards in the restoration plan,
33.27current science, and, when applicable, the
33.28Board of Water and Soil Resources' native
33.29vegetation establishment and enhancement
33.30guidelines. The evaluation must determine
33.31whether the restorations are meeting planned
33.32goals, identify any problems with the
33.33implementation of the restorations, and,
33.34if necessary, give recommendations on
33.35improving restorations. The evaluation must
33.36be focused on improving future restorations.
34.1(e) All restoration and enhancement projects
34.2funded with money appropriated in this
34.3section must be on land permanently
34.4protected by a conservation easement or
34.5public ownership.
34.6(f) A recipient of money from an
34.7appropriation under this section must
34.8give consideration to contracting with
34.9Conservation Corps Minnesota for contract
34.10restoration and enhancement services.
34.11(g) All conservation easements acquired with
34.12money appropriated under this section must:
34.13(1) be permanent;
34.14(2) specify the parties to an easement in the
34.15easement;
34.16(3) specify all of the provisions of an
34.17agreement that are permanent;
34.18(4) be sent to the Legislative-Citizen
34.19Commission on Minnesota Resources in an
34.20electronic format at least ten business days
34.21prior to closing;
34.22(5) include a long-term monitoring and
34.23enforcement plan and funding for monitoring
34.24and enforcing the easement agreement; and
34.25(6) include requirements in the easement
34.26document to address specific groundwater
34.27and surface water quality protection activities
34.28such as keeping water on the landscape,
34.29reducing nutrient and contaminant loading,
34.30protecting groundwater, and not permitting
34.31artificial hydrological modifications.
34.32(h) For any acquisition of lands or interest
34.33in lands, a recipient of money appropriated
34.34under this section shall not agree to pay
35.1more than 100 percent of the appraised value
35.2for a parcel of land using this money to
35.3complete the purchase, in part or in whole,
35.4except that up to ten percent above the
35.5appraised value may be allowed to complete
35.6the purchase, in part or in whole, using this
35.7money if permission is received in advance
35.8of the purchase from the Legislative-Citizen
35.9Commission on Minnesota Resources.
35.10(i) For any acquisition of land or interest in
35.11land, a recipient of money appropriated under
35.12this section must give priority to high-quality
35.13natural resources or conservation lands that
35.14provide natural buffers to water resources.
35.15(j) For new lands acquired with money
35.16appropriated under this section, a recipient
35.17must prepare an ecological restoration
35.18and management plan in compliance with
35.19paragraph (c), including sufficient funding
35.20for implementation unless the work plan
35.21addresses why a portion of the money is
35.22not necessary to achieve a high-quality
35.23restoration.
35.24(k) To ensure public accountability for
35.25the use of public funds, within 60 days
35.26of the transaction, a recipient of money
35.27appropriated under this section must provide
35.28to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
35.29Minnesota Resources documentation of the
35.30selection process used to identify parcels
35.31acquired and provide documentation of all
35.32related transaction costs, including but not
35.33limited to appraisals, legal fees, recording
35.34fees, commissions, other similar costs,
35.35and donations. This information must be
36.1provided for all parties involved in the
36.2transaction. The recipient must also report
36.3to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
36.4Minnesota Resources any difference between
36.5the acquisition amount paid to the seller and
36.6the state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal,
36.7if a state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal
36.8was conducted.
36.9(l) A recipient of an appropriation from
36.10the trust fund under this section must
36.11acknowledge financial support from
36.12the Minnesota environment and natural
36.13resources trust fund in project publications,
36.14signage, and other public communications
36.15and outreach related to work completed
36.16using the appropriation. Acknowledgement
36.17may occur, as appropriate, through use of
36.18the trust fund logo or inclusion of language
36.19attributing support from the trust fund. Each
36.20direct recipient of money appropriated in
36.21this section, as well as each recipient of a
36.22grant awarded pursuant to this section, must
36.23satisfy all reporting and other requirements
36.24incumbent upon constitutionally dedicated
36.25funding recipients as provided in Minnesota
36.26Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10, and
36.27chapter 116P.

36.28 36.29

Subd. 14.Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures

36.30(a) All agreements, grants, or contracts
36.31referred to in this section must be
36.32administered on a reimbursement basis
36.33unless otherwise provided in this section.
36.34Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
36.3516A.41, expenditures made on or after
36.36July 1, 2015, or the date the work plan is
37.1approved, whichever is later, are eligible for
37.2reimbursement unless otherwise provided
37.3in this section. Periodic payment must be
37.4made upon receiving documentation that
37.5the deliverable items articulated in the
37.6approved work plan have been achieved,
37.7including partial achievements as evidenced
37.8by approved progress reports. Reasonable
37.9amounts may be advanced to projects to
37.10accommodate cash flow needs or match
37.11federal money. The advances must be
37.12approved as part of the work plan. No
37.13expenditures for capital equipment are
37.14allowed unless expressly authorized in the
37.15project work plan.
37.16(b) Single source contracts as specified in the
37.17approved work plan are allowed.

37.18 37.19

Subd. 15.Purchase of Recycled and Recyclable Materials

37.20A political subdivision, public or private
37.21corporation, or other entity that receives an
37.22appropriation under this section must use the
37.23appropriation in compliance with Minnesota
37.24Statutes, section 16C.0725, regarding
37.25purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable
37.26materials; and Minnesota Statutes, section
37.2716C.073, regarding purchase and use of
37.28paper stock and printing.

37.29 37.30

Subd. 16.Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Guidelines

37.31A recipient to whom an appropriation is made
37.32under this section for a capital improvement
37.33project must ensure that the project complies
37.34with the applicable energy conservation and
37.35sustainable building guidelines and standards
37.36contained in law, including Minnesota
38.1Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and
38.2216C.20, and rules adopted under those
38.3sections. The recipient may use the energy
38.4planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office
38.5units of the Department of Commerce to
38.6obtain information and technical assistance
38.7on energy conservation and alternative
38.8energy development relating to the planning
38.9and construction of the capital improvement
38.10project.

38.11

Subd. 17.Accessibility

38.12Structural and nonstructural facilities must
38.13meet the design standards in the Americans
38.14with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility
38.15guidelines.

38.16

Subd. 18.Carryforward

38.17(a) The availability of the appropriations for
38.18the following projects are extended to June
38.1930, 2016:
38.20(1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
38.21subdivision 4, paragraph (l), Restorations
38.22Evaluations;
38.23(2) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
38.24subdivision 6, paragraph (b), Detecting and
38.25Monitoring Certain Carp Populations; and
38.26(3) Laws 2011, First Special Session
38.27chapter 2, article 3, section 2, subdivision
38.284, paragraph (g), Minnesota River Valley
38.29Green Corridor Scientific and Natural Area
38.30Acquisition.
38.31(b) The availability of the appropriations for
38.32the following projects are extended to June
38.3330, 2017:
39.1(1) Laws 2013, chapter 52, section 2,
39.2subdivision 5, paragraph (e), Measuring
39.3Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge
39.4Habitat Restoration; and
39.5(2) Laws 2014, chapter 226, section 2,
39.6subdivision 3, paragraph (m), Measuring
39.7Hydrologic Benefits from Glacial Ridge
39.8Habitat Restoration.
39.9(c) The availability of the appropriation for
39.10the following project is extended to June
39.1130, 2019: Laws 2014, chapter 226, section
39.122, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), Enhancing
39.13Pollinator Landscapes.
39.14(d) The following project may be extended
39.15statewide: Laws 2014, chapter 226, section
39.162, subdivision 9, paragraph (c), Urban
39.17Environmental Education Engaging Students
39.18in Local Resources.

39.19

Subd. 19.Pollinator Lethal Insecticides

39.20Land acquired in fee or restored or enhanced
39.21with money appropriated in this section must
39.22not be planted or otherwise treated with
39.23a product that contains a pollinator lethal
39.24insecticide, as defined under Minnesota
39.25Statutes, section 18H.02, subdivision 28a.

39.26    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
39.27    Subd. 2. Duties. (a) The commission shall recommend an annual or biennial
39.28legislative bill for appropriations from the environment and natural resources trust fund and
39.29shall adopt a strategic plan as provided in section 116P.08. Approval of the recommended
39.30legislative bill requires an affirmative vote of at least 12 members of the commission.
39.31    (b) It is a condition of acceptance of the appropriations made from the Minnesota
39.32environment and natural resources trust fund, and oil overcharge money under section
39.334.071, subdivision 2, that the agency or entity receiving the appropriation must
39.34submit a work plan and semiannual progress reports in the form determined by the
40.1Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and comply with applicable
40.2reporting requirements under section 116P.16. None of the money provided may be
40.3spent unless the commission has approved the pertinent work plan. Modifications to
40.4the approved work plan and budget expenditures shall be made through the amendment
40.5process established by the commission. The commission shall ensure that the expenditures
40.6and outcomes described in the work plan for appropriations funded by the environment
40.7and natural resources trust fund are met.
40.8    (c) The peer review panel procedures created under section 116P.08 must also be
40.9used to review, comment, and report to the commission on research proposals applying for
40.10an appropriation from the oil overcharge money under section 4.071, subdivision 2.
40.11    (d) The commission may adopt operating procedures to fulfill its duties under this
40.12chapter.
40.13    (e) As part of the operating procedures, the commission shall:
40.14    (1) ensure that members' expectations are to participate in all meetings related to
40.15funding decision recommendations;
40.16    (2) recommend adequate funding for increased citizen outreach and communications
40.17for trust fund expenditure planning;
40.18    (3) allow administrative expenses as part of individual project expenditures based
40.19on need;
40.20    (4) provide for project outcome evaluation;
40.21    (5) keep the grant application, administration, and review process as simple as
40.22possible; and
40.23    (6) define and emphasize the leveraging of additional sources of money that project
40.24proposers should consider when making trust fund proposals.

40.25    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
40.26    Subd. 5. Public meetings. (a) Meetings of the commission, committees or
40.27subcommittees of the commission, technical advisory committees, and peer review panels
40.28reviewers must be open to the public. The commission shall attempt to meet throughout
40.29various regions of the state during each biennium. For purposes of this subdivision, a
40.30meeting occurs when a quorum is present and action is taken regarding a matter within
40.31the jurisdiction of the commission, a committee or subcommittee of the commission, a
40.32technical advisory committee, or a peer review panel reviewers.
40.33(b) For legislative members of the commission, enforcement of this subdivision is
40.34governed by section 3.055, subdivision 2. For nonlegislative members of the commission,
40.35enforcement of this subdivision is governed by section 13D.06, subdivisions 1 and 2.

41.1    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
41.2    Subd. 6. Peer review. (a) Research proposals must include a stated purpose directly
41.3connected to the trust fund's constitutional mandate, this chapter, and the adopted strategic
41.4plan under subdivision 3, a timeline, potential outcomes, and an explanation of the need
41.5for the research. All research proposals must be peer reviewed by a peer review panel
41.6before receiving an appropriation.
41.7(b) In conducting research proposal reviews, the peer review panel reviewers shall:
41.8(1) comment on the methodology proposed and whether it can be expected to yield
41.9appropriate and useful information and data; and
41.10(2) comment on the need for the research and about similar existing information
41.11available, if any; and.
41.12(3) report to the commission on clauses (1) and (2) (c) Peer reviewers' comments
41.13under paragraph (b) must be reported to the commission.
41.14(c) (d) The peer review panel also must reviewers may review completed research
41.15proposals that have received an appropriation and comment and report upon whether the
41.16project reached the intended goals.

41.17    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.08, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
41.18    Subd. 7. Peer review panel membership reviewers. (a) The peer review panel
41.19reviewers must consist of at least five members who are be knowledgeable in general
41.20research methods in the areas of environment and natural resources. Not more than two
41.21members of the panel may be employees of state agencies in Minnesota.
41.22(b) The commission shall select a chair every two years who shall be responsible for
41.23convening meetings of the panel as often as is necessary to fulfill its duties as prescribed
41.24in this section. Compensation of panel members peer reviewers is governed by section
41.2515.059, subdivision 3 .

41.26    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
41.27    Subdivision 1. Administrative authority. The commission Legislative Coordinating
41.28Commission may appoint legal and other personnel and contract with consultants
41.29necessary to carry out support the functions and duties of the commission. Permanent
41.30Employees shall be in the unclassified service. In addition, the commission may request
41.31staff assistance and data from any other agency of state government as needed for the
41.32execution of the responsibilities of the commission and an agency must promptly furnish it.
41.33EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

42.1    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
42.2    Subd. 6. Conflict of interest. A commission member, a technical advisory
42.3committee member, a peer review panelist reviewer, or an employee of the commission
42.4may not participate in or vote on a decision of the commission, advisory committee, or
42.5peer review panel relating to an organization in which the member, panelist peer reviewer,
42.6or employee has either a direct or indirect personal financial interest. While serving on the
42.7commission, technical advisory committee, or as a peer review panel reviewer, or being
42.8an employee of the commission, a person shall avoid any potential conflict of interest.

42.9    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116P.09, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
42.10    Subd. 8. Technical advisory committees. The commission shall make use of
42.11available public and private expertise on environment and natural resource issues by
42.12appointing and may appoint necessary technical advisory committees to review funding
42.13proposals and evaluate project outcomes. Compensation for technical advisory committee
42.14members is governed by section 15.059, subdivision 6.

42.15    Sec. 10. POLLINATOR LETHAL INSECTICIDES.
42.16Land acquired in fee or restored or enhanced with money appropriated from the trust
42.17fund must not be planted or otherwise treated with a product that contains a pollinator
42.18lethal insecticide, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 18H.02, subdivision 28a.