2003 Minnesota Statutes

     84.95 Reinvest in Minnesota resources fund. 

    Subdivision 1.    Program fund; establishment.  A 
 reinvest in Minnesota resources fund is created as a separate 
 fund in the state treasury.  The fund shall be managed to earn 
 the highest interest compatible with prudent investment, 
 preservation of principal, and reasonable liquidity.  The 
 principal and interest attributable to the principal shall 
 remain in the fund until spent.  Proceeds of state bonds issued 
 for purposes of the fund shall be segregated in a special 
 account and disbursed only for capital costs of the acquisition 
 and betterment of public land and easements in land and 
 improvements in land for which the proceeds are appropriated. 

    Subd. 2.    Purposes and expenditures.  Money from the 
 reinvest in Minnesota resources fund may only be spent for the 
 following fish and wildlife conservation enhancement purposes: 

    (1) development and implementation of the comprehensive 
 fish and wildlife management plan under section 84.942; 

    (2) implementation of the conservation reserve program 
 established by section 103F.515; 

    (3) soil and water conservation practices to improve water 
 quality, reduce soil erosion and crop surpluses; 

    (4) enhancement or restoration of fish and wildlife habitat 
 on lakes, streams, wetlands, and public and private forest 
 lands; 

    (5) acquisition and development of public access sites and 
 recreation easements to lakes, streams, and rivers for fish and 
 wildlife oriented recreation; 

    (6) matching funds with government agencies, federally 
 recognized Indian tribes and bands, and the private sector for 
 acquisition and improvement of fish and wildlife habitat; 

    (7) research and surveys of fish and wildlife species and 
 habitat; 

    (8) enforcement of natural resource laws and rules; 

    (9) information and education; 

    (10) implementing the aspen recycling program under section 
 88.80 and for other forest wildlife management projects; and 

    (11) necessary support services to carry out these purposes.

    Subd. 3.    Work plan.  By February 1 of each year the 
 commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the 
 commissioner of agriculture, must present a written work plan 
 for expenditure of money from the reinvest in Minnesota 
 resources fund for the next fiscal year to the senate and house 
 committees on agriculture and environment and natural resources 
 for their review and comment.  Any recommendations to the 
 commissioners by the committees must be returned to the 
 commissioners by March 15.  By April 30 of each year the 
 commissioner must make the work plan, with any revisions, 
 available to the public for comment.  In so doing, the 
 commissioner must hold at least three public meetings to inform 
 the public of the work plan; one meeting to be held in the Twin 
 Cities metropolitan area, the others at non-Twin Cities 
 locations, one each in northern and southern Minnesota.  By 
 January 15 of each year, the commissioner must prepare a written 
 progress report on projects undertaken and money encumbered 
 during the fiscal year just ended, and must transmit the report 
 to the above committees and make the report available to the 
 public. 

    HIST: 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 383 s 12; 1987 c 357 s 17,18; 
 1989 c 353 s 8; 1990 c 391 art 8 s 15; 1993 c 227 s 1