2006 Minnesota Statutes

298.223 TACONITE AREA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND.
    Subdivision 1. Creation; purposes. A fund called the taconite environmental protection
fund is created for the purpose of reclaiming, restoring and enhancing those areas of northeast
Minnesota located within the taconite assistance area defined in section 273.1341, that are
adversely affected by the environmentally damaging operations involved in mining taconite and
iron ore and producing iron ore concentrate and for the purpose of promoting the economic
development of northeast Minnesota. The taconite environmental protection fund shall be used
for the following purposes:
(a) to initiate investigations into matters the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board
determines are in need of study and which will determine the environmental problems requiring
remedial action;
(b) reclamation, restoration, or reforestation of minelands not otherwise provided for by
state law;
(c) local economic development projects but only if those projects are approved by the board,
and public works, including construction of sewer and water systems located within the taconite
assistance area defined in section 273.1341;
(d) monitoring of mineral industry related health problems among mining employees.
    Subd. 2. Administration. The taconite area environmental protection fund shall be
administered by the commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. The
commissioner shall by September 1 of each year submit to the board a list of projects to be funded
from the taconite area environmental protection fund, with such supporting information including
description of the projects, plans, and cost estimates as may be necessary. Upon approval by a
majority of the members of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, this list shall be
submitted to the governor by November 1 of each year. By December 1 of each year, the governor
shall approve or disapprove, or return for further consideration, each project. Funds for a project
may be expended only upon approval of the project by the board and governor. The commissioner
may submit supplemental projects to the board and governor for approval at any time.
    Subd. 3. Appropriation. There is annually appropriated to the commissioner of Iron Range
resources and rehabilitation taconite area environmental protection funds necessary to carry out
approved projects and programs and the funds necessary for administration of this section. Annual
administrative costs, not including detailed engineering expenses for the projects, shall not exceed
five percent of the amount annually expended from the fund.
Funds for the purposes of this section are provided by section 298.28, subdivision 11, relating
to the taconite area environmental protection fund.
History: 1977 c 423 art 10 s 20; 1980 c 607 art 7 s 4; 1Sp1981 c 4 art 2 s 31; 1Sp1985 c 14
art 10 s 13; 1988 c 719 art 19 s 18; 1993 c 369 s 110; 1995 c 224 s 93; 1999 c 223 art 2 s 45;
1Sp2001 c 5 art 6 s 19; 1Sp2003 c 21 art 11 s 23; 2005 c 152 art 1 s 4; 2006 c 281 art 4 s 18,19