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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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BONDING BILL PROVIDES CRITICAL RESOURCES FOR NATURAL RESOURCES
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota House of Representatives passed the state's capital investment conference report (HF 380) today - a bill that invests $925 million in the state's critical infrastructure and creates over 10,000 new jobs. Over 20 percent of the bill is dedicated to conservation infrastructure efforts for Minnesota's environment and natural resources.
Chair of the House Watersheds, Wetlands, and Buffer Zones Subcommittee, State Representative Rick Hansen (DFL - South St. Paul), voted for the bill and applauds its passage as a major accomplishment for conservation efforts throughout Minnesota.
"This bill is the bi-partisan model of what government can achieve when we do the job right and maintain our commitment to making wise investments in our natural resources," said Rep. Hansen. "Now there is an more urgent need to make these kinds of investments. The serious challenges facing our environment need real solutions and a long-term commitment to improvement that will preserve and protect our natural resources both now, and in the future. This bill does that."
Specifically, HF 380 provides $136.537 million for projects operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) including:
§ $30 million for flood hazard mitigation grants;
§ $500 thousand for groundwater monitoring and observation wells;
§ $2 million for dam renovation and removal;
§ $500 thousand for the Mississippi River Barrier to prevent flying carp from invading state waters;
§ $1 million for stream protection and restoration;
§ $1 million for shoreline and aquatic habitat acquisition;
§ $650 thousand for water access acquisition for fishing piers and shoreline access;
§ $1.5 million for fish hatchery improvements focused on getting hatchery operations out of natural wetlands;
§ $5 million for wildlife area acquisition and improvement;
§ $3 million for matching RIM Critical Habitat funding from the federal government;
§ $4 million for native prairie conservation and protection;
§ $3 million for forest land conservation easements;
§ $3 million for state forest land reforestation;
§ $1 million for forest roads and bridges;
§ $500 thousand for diseased shade trees;
§ $19 million for state park and recreation area rehabilitation, development, and acquisition; and
§ More.
The bill also provides $30 million for projects operated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) including:
§ $2.5 million for Albert Lea Landfill remediation;
§ $25 million for the Closed Landfill Cleanup Program; and
§ $2.5 million for beneficial reuse of water grants.
Finally, the bill provides $30.475 million for projects operated by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) including:
§ $25 million for RIM Reserve state funding with specific language for regions of southeastern Minnesota affected by flooding, Cedar River/Turtle Creek flooding, and the Red River Basin;
§ $4.2 million for wetland replacement due to local road projects; and
§ $1.275 million for Clean Water Legacy projects with specific language for Grass Lake wetland restoration and Lake Titlow watershed in Gaylord.
Some of these state commitments will not only provide their direct and intended benefits, but will also yield additional federal dollars for further capital improvements in Minnesota's environment and natural resources. Nowhere is that payoff more significant, and more important right now, than in the federal Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) dollars Minnesota will receive through its commitment to the RIM Reserve.
"At a time when 40 percent of Minnesota's water resources are considered 'impaired,' and hundreds more are falling victim to serious contamination and quality issues every year, demand for efforts to restore and protect wetlands is at an all-time high," said Hansen. "Leveraging federal dollars to expand the scope and quality of these efforts is not only the smart thing to do, it is essential to the success of our comprehensive conservation efforts in Minnesota."
By providing essential conservation resources for Minnesota wetlands, RIM/WRP efforts will pay off in both dollars and jobs. According to a recent NRCS study, projected WRP expenditures in Minnesota (initially estimated at $16.5 million in FY2008) would generate an estimated $26 million in new production of goods and services, $23.9 million in wages and capital income, and over 250 new jobs for our state. This bill will leverage more WRP money and more jobs.
"That's an investment in our environment worth making," said Hansen.
Many of these new benefits will take place in the construction sector of Minnesota's economy - an area hard-hit by the state's recent economic slowdown. At a time when job creation is central in the effort to put our state's economy back on track, this progress will be welcomed with open arms.
The State Senate has passed the bill as well. It awaits the approval of Governor Pawlenty.
News Items
- Rep. Rick Hansen chosen as leader of Great Lakes Legislative Caucus - (Posted: Dec 27 2012 8:34AM)
- Need Holiday Gifts? Consider DNR Gift Cards - (Posted: 2012-11-27 00:00:00)
- Looking Forward to Serving, Getting the Job Done - (Posted: 2012-11-14 00:00:00)
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