Questions over the structure of a
$14 million land acquisition near Brainerd has delayed the potential approval of almost $100 million in Outdoor Heritage funding.
The House Legacy Funding Division voted to lay the bill over for further consideration. Division Chairman Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City) said the bill is expected to be heard later in session.
Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings) sponsors
HF2086, which contains
$99.7 million in funding, including
$31.1 million for wetlands; $24.6 million for prairie preservation; $24.1 million for habitats; $17.3 million for forests; and funding to fight aquatic invasive species.
“This is really an important bill,” McNamara said.
Legislators were concerned about the structure of a proposed $14 million Mississippi River Northwoods Habitat Complex Protection land purchase from Crow Wing County.
The deal, which avoids payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILT), raised questions from several legislators because the land would be donated back to Crow Wing County after the purchase.
Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake) said, “It seems we’re getting more and more creative on how to avoid paying PILT.”
The companion,
SF1632, is sponsored by Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria). It awaits action in the Senate Finance Committee.
Minnesota Index: Enjoying the outdoors
Facts and statistics on state parks and trails
(view full story)
Published 4/20/2012
Minnesota Index: Birding
Facts and statistics on birding in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 4/6/2012
A prickly situation
Farmers seek fair fight against noxious weeds
(view full story)
Published 3/16/2012
Angling for more participation
DNR looks for ways to get more anglers and hunters into the great outdoors
(view full story)
Published 3/2/2012
Meeting halfway
Environment and energy law packs policy changes
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
Legacy bill brought back to life
More than $449 million appropriated from voter-approved sales tax increase
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
Trees from start to finish
Environment finance bill would close tree nursery
(view full story)
Published 5/20/2011
Legacy spending differences
Conference committee needed to determine parks and trails funding
(view full story)
Published 5/20/2011
Less means more
Some Legacy recipients may see increases despite drop in appropriation percentages
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2011
Minnesota Index: Outdoor Heritage Fund
Facts and statistics on the Outdoor Heritage Fund
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2011
Environment bill reflects ‘priorities’
House addresses wild rice, harvesting timber and closing of state parks
(view full story)
Published 4/1/2011
Putting a stop to aquatic invasive species
Broader enforcement, stiffer penalties proposed for violators
(view full story)
Published 4/1/2011
Wild rice study proposed
Committee approves policies for wild rice, state parks
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2011
Should Minnesotans be hunting for land?
Legislators aim for no-net-loss and no-net-gain targets
(view full story)
Published 3/4/2011
Minnesota Index: Horticulture and agriculture
Figures and statistics on horticulture and agriculture in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 3/4/2011
At Issue: Leaving a legacy
Recipients report outcomes of dedicated tax appropriations
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011