1.1.................... moves to amend H.F. No. 207 as follows:
1.2Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

1.3

"Section 1. OUTDOOR HERITAGE APPROPRIATION.

1.4The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the
1.5agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the outdoor
1.6heritage fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2014" and "2015"
1.7used in this act mean that the appropriations listed under the figure are available for the
1.8fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, and June 30, 2015, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal
1.9year 2014. "The second year" is fiscal year 2015. The "biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and
1.102015. The appropriations in this act are onetime.

`1.11`	APPROPRIATIONS
`1.12`	Available for the Year
`1.13`	Ending June 30
`1.14`		2014	2015

1.15

Sec. 2. OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND

1.16

Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation

98,348,000

5,000,000

1.17This appropriation is from the outdoor
1.18heritage fund. The amounts that may be
1.19spent for each purpose are specified in the
1.20following subdivisions.

1.21

Subd. 2.Prairies

27,730,000

-0-

1.22

(a) Grasslands for the Future

1.23$2,000,000 in the first year is to the Board of
1.24Water and Soil Resources for a pilot project
1.25to acquire permanent conservation easements
2.1on grasslands in cooperation with the
2.2Minnesota Land Trust and the Conservation
2.3Fund. Up to $1,850,000 may be used
2.4for agreements with the Minnesota Land
2.5Trust to acquire permanent conservation
2.6easements and up to $75,000 may be used
2.7for establishing monitoring and enforcement
2.8funds with the Minnesota Land Trust and
2.9the Board of Water and Soil Resources,
2.10as approved in the accomplishment plan
2.11and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
2.1297A.056, subdivision 17. Up to $75,000
2.13may be used for an agreement with the
2.14Conservation Fund for professional services.
2.15Easements funded under this appropriation
2.16are not subject to emergency haying and
2.17grazing orders. Any net proceeds accruing to
2.18a project partner from real estate transactions
2.19related to this project must be used for the
2.20purposes outlined in this appropriation. A
2.21list of permanent conservation easements
2.22must be provided as part of the required
2.23accomplishment plan.

2.24
2.25

(b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area
Program - Phase V

2.26$7,960,000 in the first year is to the
2.27commissioner of natural resources for an
2.28agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
2.29land in fee for wildlife management purposes
2.30under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
2.31subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
2.32acquisitions must be provided as part of the
2.33required accomplishment plan.

2.34
2.35
2.36

3.1$4,940,000 in the first year is to the
3.2commissioner of natural resources to
3.3acquire land in fee for wildlife management
3.4purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
3.586A.05, subdivision 8; acquire land in fee
3.6for scientific and natural area purposes
3.7under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
3.8subdivision 5; and acquire native prairie
3.9bank easements under Minnesota Statutes,
3.10section 84.96. Up to $42,000 is for
3.11establishing a monitoring and enforcement
3.12fund, as approved in the accomplishment
3.13plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
3.14section 97A.056, subdivision 17, for native
3.15prairie bank easements. A list of proposed
3.16land and permanent conservation easement
3.17acquisitions must be provided as part of the
3.18required accomplishment plan.

3.19
3.20

(d) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project - Phase
IV

3.21$5,310,000 in the first year is to the
3.22commissioner of natural resources for an
3.23agreement with The Nature Conservancy
3.24to acquire native prairie, wetland, and
3.25savanna and restore and enhance grasslands,
3.26wetlands, and savanna. A list of proposed
3.27land acquisitions must be provided as part of
3.28the required accomplishment plan. Annual
3.29income statements and balance sheets for
3.30income and expenses from land acquired
3.31with this appropriation must be submitted to
3.32the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
3.33no later than 180 days following the close of
3.34The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year.

3.35
3.36

(e) Minnesota Buffers for Wildlife and Water -
Phase III

4.1$3,520,000 in the first year is to the Board
4.2of Water and Soil Resources to acquire
4.3permanent conservation easements to protect
4.4and enhance habitat by expanding clean
4.5water fund riparian wildlife buffers on private
4.6land. Up to $120,000 is for establishing
4.7a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
4.8approved in the accomplishment plan and
4.9subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
4.1097A.056, subdivision 17. Easements funded
4.11under this appropriation are not subject to
4.12emergency haying and grazing orders. A list
4.13of permanent conservation easements must
4.14be provided as part of the final report.

4.15
4.16

(f) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex
- Phase III

4.17$1,780,000 in the first year is to the
4.18commissioner of natural resources for an
4.19agreement with Trust for Public Land to
4.20acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River
4.21watershed for wildlife management purposes
4.22under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
4.23subdivision 8, or aquatic management area
4.24purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections
4.2586A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of
4.26proposed land acquisitions must be provided
4.27as part of the required accomplishment plan.

4.28
4.29

(g) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and
Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase V

4.30$2,220,000 in the first year is to the
4.31commissioner of natural resources to
4.32accelerate the restoration and enhancement
4.33of wildlife management areas, scientific
4.34and natural areas, and land under native
4.35prairie bank easements. A list of proposed
4.36land restorations and enhancements
5.1must be provided as part of the required
5.2accomplishment plan.

5.3

Subd. 3.Forests

9,830,000

5,000,000

5.4

(a) Young Forest Conservation

5.5$1,180,000 in the first year is to the
5.6commissioner of natural resources for
5.7an agreement with the American Bird
5.8Conservancy to acquire lands in fee to be
5.9added to the wildlife management area system
5.10under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
5.11subdivision 8, and to restore and enhance
5.12habitat on publicly protected land. A list of
5.13proposed land acquisitions must be provided
5.14as part of the required accomplishment plan.

5.15

(b) Camp Ripley Partnership - Phase III

5.16$1,150,000 in the first year is to the Board of
5.17Water and Soil Resources and $300,000 in
5.18the first year is to the Department of Natural
5.19Resources to acquire land in fee to be added
5.20to the wildlife management area system
5.21under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
5.22subdivision 8, and to acquire permanent
5.23conservation easements on lands adjacent
5.24to the Mississippi and Crow Wing Rivers
5.25and within the boundaries of the Minnesota
5.26National Guard Army Compatible Use
5.27Buffer. Of the amount appropriated to the
5.28Board of Water and Soil Resources, $49,900
5.29is for a grant to the Morrison County Soil
5.30and Water Conservation District and up to
5.31$33,600 is for establishing a monitoring
5.32and enforcement fund, as approved in
5.33the accomplishment plan and subject to
5.34Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
5.35subdivision 17. A list of proposed land
6.1acquisitions and permanent conservation
6.2easements must be provided as part of the
6.3required accomplishment plan.

6.4
6.5

6.6$1,180,000 in the first year is to the
6.7commissioner of natural resources for
6.8an agreement with Pheasants Forever in
6.9cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed
6.10Grouse Society to acquire and enhance
6.11lands in Aitkin, Carlton, and Kanabec
6.12Counties for wildlife management purposes
6.13under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
6.14subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
6.15acquisitions must be provided as part of the
6.16required accomplishment plan.

6.17
6.18

(d) Protect Key Forest Habitat Lands in Cass
County - Phase IV

6.19$500,000 in the first year is to the
6.20commissioner of natural resources for an
6.21agreement with Cass County to acquire land
6.22in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife
6.23habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation.
6.24A list of proposed land acquisitions
6.25must be provided as part of the required
6.26accomplishment plan.

6.27
6.28

(e) Critical Shoreline Habitat Protection
Program - Phase II

6.29$820,000 in the first year is to the
6.30commissioner of natural resources for
6.31an agreement with the Minnesota Land
6.32Trust to acquire permanent conservation
6.33easements along rivers and lakes in the
6.34northern forest region. Up to $160,000 is for
6.35establishing a monitoring and enforcement
7.1fund, as approved in the accomplishment
7.2plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
7.3section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of
7.4proposed permanent conservation easements
7.5must be provided as part of the required
7.6accomplishment plan.

7.7
7.8

(f) Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative -
Phase II

7.9$2,000,000 in the first year is to the
7.10commissioner of natural resources for an
7.11agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters
7.12Association to restore and enhance public
7.13forest lands in the northern forest region
7.14for moose habitat purposes. A list of
7.15proposed land restoration and enhancements
7.16must be provided as part of the required
7.17accomplishment plan.

7.18

(g) Minnesota Forests for the Future

7.19$1,000,000 in the first year and $5,000,000
7.20in the second year are to the commissioner
7.21of natural resources to acquire permanent
7.22working forest easements on up to 150,000
7.23acres of private forest lands in Itasca,
7.24Koochiching, and Saint Louis Counties
7.25identified through the Minnesota Forests
7.26for the Future program under Minnesota
7.27Statutes, section 84.66. The commissioner
7.28may use the first year appropriation for land
7.29acquisition pre-transaction costs including,
7.30but not limited to, appraisals, surveys, and
7.31title research.

7.32
7.33
7.34

(h) Preventing Forest Fragmentation and
Protecting and Restoring Lake and Stream
Habitat in the St. Louis River Watershed

8.1$1,700,000 in the first year is to the
8.2commissioner of natural resources to
8.3acquire land in fee and restore and enhance
8.4land within the Fond du Lac Reservation
8.5for wildlife management purposes under
8.6Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
8.7subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
8.8acquisitions must be provided as part of
8.9the required accomplishment plan. The
8.10commissioner may enter into an agreement
8.11with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake
8.12Superior Chippewa to manage the wildlife
8.13management area.

8.14

Subd. 4.Wetlands

31,150,000

-0-

8.15
8.16

(a) Reinvest in Minnesota Wetlands Reserve
Program Partnership - Phase V

8.17$13,390,000 in the first year is to the Board
8.18of Soil and Water Resources to acquire
8.19permanent conservation easements and
8.20restore wetlands and associated upland
8.21habitat in cooperation with the United
8.22States Department of Agriculture Wetlands
8.23Reserve Program and Ducks Unlimited,
8.24including $1,000,000 for an agreement
8.25with Ducks Unlimited to provide technical
8.26and bioengineering assistance. Up to
8.27$120,000 is for establishing a monitoring
8.28and enforcement fund, as approved in
8.29the accomplishment plan and subject to
8.30Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
8.31subdivision 17. A list of permanent
8.32conservation easements must be provided as
8.33part of the final report.

8.34
8.35

(b) Accelerating Waterfowl Production Area
Acquisition - Phase V

9.1$6,830,000 in the first year is to the
9.2commissioner of natural resources for an
9.3agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire
9.4land in fee to be designated and managed as
9.5waterfowl production areas in Minnesota,
9.6in cooperation with the United States Fish
9.7and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land
9.8acquisitions must be provided as part of the
9.9required accomplishment plan.

9.10
9.11

9.12$3,530,000 in the first year is to the
9.13commissioner of natural resources for an
9.14agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire
9.15land in fee for wildlife management purposes
9.16under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
9.17subdivision 8. A list of proposed land
9.18acquisitions must be provided as part of the
9.19required accomplishment plan.

9.20
9.21

(d) Wild Rice Shoreland Protection Program
- Phase II

9.22$1,630,000 in the first year is to the Board
9.23of Water and Soil Resources to acquire
9.24in fee wild rice lake shoreland habitat
9.25for native wild rice bed protection and to
9.26acquire permanent conservation easements
9.27in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited. Of
9.28this amount, $100,000 is for an agreement
9.29with Ducks Unlimited for acquisition of land
9.30or interests in land to protect native wild
9.31rice beds. Up to $48,000 is for establishing
9.32a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
9.33approved in the accomplishment plan and
9.34subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
9.3597A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed
10.1land acquisitions must be included as part of
10.2the required accomplishment plan.

10.3

(e) Wetland Habitat Program

10.4$1,980,000 in the first year is to the
10.5commissioner of natural resources for an
10.6agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust to
10.7acquire permanent conservation easements
10.8in high-priority wetland complexes in
10.9the prairie and forest/prairie transition
10.10regions. Up to $280,000 is for establishing
10.11a monitoring and enforcement fund, as
10.12approved in the accomplishment plan and
10.13subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
10.1497A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed
10.15land acquisitions must be included as part of
10.16the required accomplishment plan.

10.17
10.18

(f) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands
Enhancement - Phase V

10.19$1,790,000 in the first year is to the
10.20commissioner of natural resources to
10.21enhance and restore shallow lakes, including
10.22$210,000 for an agreement with Ducks
10.23Unlimited to help implement restorations
10.24and enhancements. A list of proposed
10.25land restorations and enhancements
10.26must be provided as part of the required
10.27accomplishment plan.

10.28

(g) Pelican Lake Enhancement

10.29$2,000,000 in the first year is to the
10.30commissioner of natural resources for an
10.31agreement with Ducks Unlimited to construct
10.32a gravity outlet, water control structure, and
10.33pump station lift to enhance aquatic habitat
10.34in Pelican Lake in Wright County. A list of
10.35proposed land restoration and enhancements
11.1must be included as part of the required
11.2accomplishment plan.

11.3

Subd. 5.Habitats

28,387,000

-0-

11.4

(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase V

11.5$5,250,000 in the first year is to the
11.6commissioner of natural resources to
11.7acquire interests in land in fee for aquatic
11.8management purposes under Minnesota
11.9Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14,
11.10and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance
11.11aquatic habitat. A list of proposed
11.12land acquisitions and restorations and
11.13enhancements must be provided as part of
11.14the required accomplishment plan.

11.15
11.16

(b) Habitat Protection in Dakota County -
Phase IV

11.17$4,100,000 in the first year is to the
11.18commissioner of natural resources for an
11.19agreement with Dakota County to acquire,
11.20restore, and enhance lands in Dakota County
11.21for fish and wildlife management purposes
11.22under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
11.23subdivision 8, or aquatic management area
11.24purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections
11.2586A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, and to
11.26acquire permanent conservation easements
11.27and restore and enhance habitats in rivers
11.28and lake watersheds in Dakota County. Up
11.29to $60,000 is for establishing a monitoring
11.30and enforcement fund, as approved in
11.31the accomplishment plan and subject to
11.32Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
11.33subdivision 17. A list of proposed land
11.34acquisitions and permanent conservation
12.1easements must be provided as part of the
12.2required accomplishment plan.

12.3

12.4$2,750,000 in the first year is to the
12.5commissioner of natural resources for
12.6agreements to acquire land in fee for
12.7scientific and natural areas under Minnesota
12.8Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 5, and
12.9for state forest purposes under Minnesota
12.10Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7,
12.11and to acquire permanent conservation
12.12easements as follows: $2,122,000 to The
12.13Nature Conservancy and $628,000 to the
12.14Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $100,000 is for
12.15establishing a monitoring and enforcement
12.16fund, as approved in the accomplishment
12.17plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
12.18section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list
12.19of proposed acquisitions and permanent
12.20conservation easements must be provided as
12.21part of the required accomplishment plan.

12.22

(d) Metro Big Rivers Habitat - Phase IV

12.23$1,720,000 in the first year is to the
12.24commissioner of natural resources for
12.25agreements to acquire land in fee and as
12.26permanent conservation easements and
12.27to restore and enhance natural systems
12.28associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota,
12.29and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $450,000
12.30to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife
12.31Refuge Trust, Inc.; $160,000 to the Friends
12.32of the Mississippi; $210,000 to the Great
12.33River Greening; $450,000 to the Minnesota
12.34Land Trust; and $450,000 to the Trust
12.35for Public Land. Up to $80,000 is for
13.1establishing a monitoring and enforcement
13.2fund, as approved in the accomplishment
13.3plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
13.4section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of
13.5proposed land acquisitions and permanent
13.6conservation easements must be provided as
13.7part of the required accomplishment plan.

13.8

(e) Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

13.9$1,000,000 in the first year is to the Board
13.10of Regents of the University of Minnesota
13.11to acquire land in fee surrounding Lake
13.12Tamarack in Carver County to be added to
13.13the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. A land
13.14description must be provided as part of the
13.15required accomplishment plan.

13.16
13.17

(f) Lower Mississippi River Habitat
Partnership - Phase III

13.18$1,710,000 in the first year is to the
13.19commissioner of natural resources to
13.20enhance aquatic habitat. Of this amount,
13.21$450,000 is for an agreement with the
13.22United States Fish and Wildlife Service
13.23to enhance aquatic habitat in the lower
13.24Mississippi River watershed. A list of
13.25proposed land restorations and enhancements
13.26must be provided as part of the required
13.27accomplishment plan.

13.28
13.29

(g) Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement -
Phase V

13.30$2,470,000 in the first year is to the
13.31commissioner of natural resources for an
13.32agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
13.33to restore and enhance coldwater river and
13.34stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of
13.35proposed land restorations and enhancements
14.1must be provided as part of the required
14.2accomplishment plan.

14.3
14.4

(h) Albert Lea Lake Management and Invasive
Species Control Structure - Phase III

14.5$1,127,000 in the first year is to the
14.6commissioner of natural resources for
14.7an agreement with the Shell Rock River
14.8Watershed District to construct structural
14.9deterrents and lake level controls to enhance
14.10aquatic habitat on Albert Lea Lake in
14.11Freeborn County. A list of proposed
14.12land restorations and enhancements
14.13must be provided as part of the required
14.14accomplishment plan.

14.15
14.16

(i) Metropolitan Regional Parks Wildlife
Habitat Protection and Restoration

14.17$4,400,000 in the first year is to the
14.18Metropolitan Council for grants to
14.19implementing agencies to restore and
14.20enhance fish and wildlife habitat in forests,
14.21prairies, and wetlands in the metropolitan
14.22regional parks system. The Metropolitan
14.23Council shall award grants under this
14.24paragraph for projects that are the most cost
14.25effective and have the highest projected use
14.26by fish or wildlife.

14.27
14.28

(j) Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners
Grant Program - Phase V

14.29$3,860,000 in the first year is to the
14.30commissioner of natural resources for a
14.31program to provide competitive, matching
14.32grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional,
14.33state, and national organizations for
14.34enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests,
14.35wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game,
15.1or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not
15.2be made for activities required to fulfill
15.3the duties of owners of lands subject to
15.4conservation easements. Grants shall not be
15.5made from appropriations in this paragraph
15.6for projects that have a total project cost
15.7exceeding $575,000. Of this appropriation,
15.8$366,000 may be spent for personnel costs
15.9and other direct and necessary administrative
15.10costs, and $10,000 is for outreach efforts to
15.11encourage underrepresented communities
15.12to apply for grants under this paragraph.
15.13Grantees may acquire land or interests in
15.14land. Easements must be permanent. Land
15.15acquired in fee must be open to hunting
15.16and fishing during the open season unless
15.17otherwise provided by state law. The program
15.18shall require a cash match of at least ten
15.19percent from nonstate sources for all grants.
15.20For grant applications of $25,000 or less,
15.21the commissioner shall provide a separate,
15.22simplified application process. Subject to
15.23Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of
15.24natural resources shall, when evaluating
15.25projects of equal value, give priority to
15.26organizations that have a history of receiving
15.27or charter to receive private contributions
15.28for local conservation or habitat projects. If
15.29acquiring land or a conservation easement,
15.30priority shall be given to projects associated
15.31with existing wildlife management areas
15.32under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,
15.33subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas
15.34under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033
15.35and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic
15.36management areas under Minnesota Statutes,
16.1sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02.
16.2All restoration or enhancement projects
16.3must be on land permanently protected by a
16.4conservation easement or public ownership
16.5or in public waters as defined in Minnesota
16.6Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision
16.715. Priority shall be given to restoration
16.8and enhancement projects on public lands.
16.9Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
16.10subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded
16.11under this paragraph. This appropriation is
16.12available until June 30, 2017. No less than
16.13five percent of the amount of each grant
16.14must be held back from reimbursement until
16.15the grant recipient has completed a grant
16.16accomplishment report by the deadline and
16.17in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to
16.18the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
16.19The commissioner shall provide notice of
16.20the grant program in the game and fish law
16.21summaries that are prepared under Minnesota
16.22Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.

16.23

Subd. 6.Administration

1,251,000

-0-

16.24

(a) Contract Management

16.25$175,000 in the first year is to the
16.26commissioner of natural resources for
16.27contract management duties assigned in this
16.28section. The commissioner shall provide an
16.29accomplishment plan in the form specified by
16.30the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
16.31on the expenditure of this appropriation.
16.32The accomplishment plan must include
16.33a copy of the grant contract template
16.34and reimbursement manual. No money
16.35may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams
17.1Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the
17.2accomplishment plan.

17.3

(b) Legislative Coordinating Commission

17.4$936,000 in the first year is to the Legislative
17.5Coordinating Commission for administrative
17.6expenses of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
17.7Heritage Council and for compensation and
17.8expense reimbursement of council members.
17.9Funds in this appropriation are available until
17.10June 30, 2015. Minnesota Statutes, section
17.1116A.281, applies to this appropriation.

17.12

17.13$90,000 in the first year is to the
17.14commissioner of natural resources for a
17.15technical evaluation panel to conduct up to
17.16ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota
17.17Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.

17.18
17.19
17.20

(d) High-Priority Pre-Transaction Service
Acceleration for Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council

17.21$50,000 in the first year is to the
17.22commissioner of natural resources to provide
17.23land acquisition pre-transaction services
17.24including, but not limited to, appraisals,
17.25surveys, or title research for acquisition
17.26proposals under consideration by the
17.27Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. A
17.28list of activities must be included in the final
17.29accomplishment plan.

17.30

Subd. 7.Availability of Appropriation

17.31Money appropriated in this section may
17.32not be spent on activities unless they are
17.33directly related to and necessary for a
17.34specific appropriation and are specified in
18.1the accomplishment plan approved by the
18.2Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
18.3Money appropriated in this section must
18.4not be spent on indirect costs or other
18.5institutional overhead charges that are not
18.6directly related to and necessary for a specific
18.7appropriation. Unless otherwise provided,
18.8the amounts in this section are available
18.9until June 30, 2016. For acquisition of real
18.10property, the amounts in this section are
18.11available until June 30, 2017, if a binding
18.12agreement with a landowner or purchase
18.13agreement is entered into by June 30, 2016,
18.14and closed no later than June 30, 2017. Funds
18.15for restoration or enhancement are available
18.16until June 30, 2018, or four years after
18.17acquisition, whichever is later, in order to
18.18complete initial restoration or enhancement
18.19work. If a project receives federal funds, the
18.20time period of the appropriation is extended
18.21to equal the availability of federal funding.
18.22Funds appropriated for fee title acquisition
18.23of land may be used to restore, enhance, and
18.24provide for public use of the land acquired
18.25with the appropriation. Public use facilities
18.26must have a minimal impact on habitat in
18.27acquired lands.

18.28
18.29

Subd. 8.Payment Conditions and Capital
Equipment Expenditures

18.30All agreements referred to in this section must
18.31be administered on a reimbursement basis
18.32unless otherwise provided in this section.
18.33Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
18.3416A.41, expenditures directly related
18.35to each appropriation's purpose made
18.36on or after July 1, 2013, or the date of
19.1accomplishment plan approval, whichever is
19.2later, are eligible for reimbursement unless
19.3otherwise provided in this section. For the
19.4purposes of administering appropriations
19.5and legislatively authorized agreements
19.6paid out of the outdoor heritage fund, an
19.7expense must be considered reimbursable
19.8by the administering agency when the
19.9recipient presents the agency with an invoice
19.10or binding agreement with the landowner
19.11and the recipient attests that the goods have
19.12been received or the landowner agreement
19.13is binding. Periodic reimbursement must
19.14be made upon receiving documentation that
19.15the items articulated in the accomplishment
19.16plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
19.17Heritage Council have been achieved,
19.18including partial achievements as evidenced
19.19by progress reports approved by the
19.20Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
19.21Reasonable amounts may be advanced to
19.22projects to accommodate cash flow needs,
19.23support future management of acquired
19.24lands, or match a federal share. The
19.25advances must be approved as part of the
19.26accomplishment plan. Capital equipment
19.27expenditures for specific items in excess of
19.28$10,000 must be itemized in and approved as
19.29part of the accomplishment plan.

19.30

Subd. 9.Mapping

19.31Each direct recipient of money appropriated
19.32in this section, as well as each recipient of
19.33a grant awarded pursuant to this section,
19.34must provide geographic information to
19.35the Department of Natural Resources for
19.36mapping any lands acquired in fee with
20.1funds appropriated in this section and open
20.2to public taking of fish and game. The
20.3commissioner of natural resources shall
20.4include the lands acquired in fee with
20.5money appropriated in this section on maps
20.6showing public recreation opportunities.
20.7Maps shall include information on and
20.8acknowledgement of the outdoor heritage
20.9fund, including a notation of any restrictions.

20.10
20.11

Subd. 10.Appropriations Carryforward; Fee
Title Acquisition

20.12The availability of the appropriation for the
20.13following project is extended to July 1, 2015:
20.14Laws 2010, chapter 361, article 1, section
20.152, subdivision 5, paragraph (h), Washington
20.16County St. Croix River Land Protection, and
20.17the appropriation may be spent on acquisition
20.18of land in fee title to protect habitat associated
20.19with the St. Croix River Valley. A list of
20.20proposed acquisitions must be provided as
20.21part of the accomplishment plan.

20.22

Subd. 11.Conservation Corps Minnesota

20.23A recipient of money from an appropriation
20.24under this section must give consideration
20.25to and make timely written contact with
20.26Conservation Corps Minnesota for possible
20.27use of the corps' services to contract for
20.28restoration and enhancement services. A
20.29copy of the written contact must be filed with
20.30the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council
20.31within 15 days of execution.

20.32    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
20.33    Subd. 3. ~~Council~~ Duties; recommendations and oversight. (a) The council
20.34shall make recommendations to the legislature on appropriations of money from the
21.1outdoor heritage fund that are consistent with the Constitution and state law and that will
21.2achieve the outcomes of existing natural resource plans, including, but not limited to,
21.3the Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, that directly relate to the
21.4restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish,
21.5game, and wildlife, and that prevent forest fragmentation, encourage forest consolidation,
21.6and expand restored native prairie. In making recommendations, the council shall consider
21.7a range of options that would best restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests,
21.8and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. The council's biennial recommendations shall
21.9be submitted no later than January 15 each odd-numbered year. The council may submit
21.10supplemental recommendations by January 15 in even-numbered years. The council
21.11shall present its recommendations to the senate and house of representatives committees
21.12with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources budget by February 15
21.13in odd-numbered years, and within the first four weeks of the legislative session in
21.14even-numbered years if the council submitted supplemental recommendations. The
21.15council's budget recommendations to the legislature shall be separate from the Department
21.16of Natural Resource's budget recommendations.
21.17    (b) To encourage and support local conservation efforts, the council shall establish a
21.18conservation partners program. Local, regional, state, or national organizations may apply
21.19for matching grants for restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies,
21.20forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife, prevention of forest fragmentation,
21.21encouragement of forest consolidation, and expansion of restored native prairie.
21.22    (c) The council may work with the Clean Water Council to identify projects that
21.23are consistent with both the purpose of the outdoor heritage fund and the purpose of
21.24the clean water fund.
21.25    (d) The council may make recommendations to the Legislative-Citizen Commission
21.26on Minnesota Resources on scientific research that will assist in restoring, protecting, and
21.27enhancing wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife, preventing
21.28forest fragmentation, encouraging forest consolidation, and expanding restored native
21.29prairie.
21.30    (e) Recommendations of the council, including approval of recommendations for the
21.31outdoor heritage fund, require an affirmative vote of at least nine members of the council.
21.32(f) The council may work with the Clean Water Council, the Legislative-Citizen
21.33Commission on Minnesota Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, soil and
21.34water conservation districts, and experts from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
21.35and the University of Minnesota in developing the council's recommendations.
22.1(g) The council shall develop and implement a process that ensures that citizens
22.2and potential recipients of funds are included throughout the process, including the
22.3development and finalization of the council's recommendations. The process must include
22.4a fair, equitable, and thorough process for reviewing requests for funding and a clear and
22.5easily understood process for ranking projects.
22.6(h) The council shall use the regions of the state based upon the ecological sections
22.7and subsections developed by the Department of Natural Resources and establish
22.8objectives for each region and subregion to achieve the purposes of the fund outlined
22.9in the state constitution.
22.10(i) The council shall develop and submit to the Legislative Coordinating Commission
22.11plans for the first ten years of funding, and a framework for 25 years of funding, consistent
22.12with statutory and constitutional requirements. The council may use existing plans from
22.13other legislative, state, and federal sources, as applicable.
22.14(j) The council shall provide oversight of projects funded by the outdoor heritage
22.15fund, including evaluating the outcomes of completed projects.
22.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2014.

22.17    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
22.18    Subd. 10. Restoration evaluations. The commissioner of natural resources and the
22.19Board of Water and Soil Resources may convene a technical evaluation panel comprised
22.20of five members, including one technical representative from the Board of Water and Soil
22.21Resources, one technical representative from the Department of Natural Resources, one
22.22technical expert from the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and
22.23Universities, and two representatives with expertise in the project being evaluated. The
22.24board and the commissioner may add a technical representative from a unit of federal or
22.25local government. The members of the technical evaluation panel may not be associated
22.26with the restoration, may vary depending upon the projects being reviewed, and shall
22.27avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Each year, the board and the commissioner may
22.28assign a coordinator to identify a sample of ~~up to ten~~ habitat restoration projects completed
22.29with outdoor heritage funding. The coordinator shall secure the restoration plans for the
22.30projects specified and direct the technical evaluation panel to evaluate the restorations
22.31relative to the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration
22.32plan and, when applicable, to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation
22.33establishment and enhancement guidelines. The coordinator shall summarize the findings
22.34of the panel and provide a report to the chair of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage
22.35Council and the chairs of the respective house of representatives and senate policy and
23.1finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and spending from the outdoor
23.2heritage fund. The report shall determine if the restorations are meeting planned goals,
23.3any problems with the implementation of restorations, and, if necessary, recommendations
23.4on improving restorations. The report shall be focused on improving future restorations.
23.5Up to one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from the outdoor heritage fund may
23.6be used for restoration evaluations under this section.

23.7    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision
23.8to read:
23.9    Subd. 20. Acquisitions of lands or interest in lands; commissioner approval;
23.10appraisals. (a) A recipient of an appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund that
23.11acquires an interest in real property must receive written approval from the commissioner
23.12of natural resources prior to the acquisition, if the interest is acquired in whole or in part
23.13with the appropriation. Conservation easements to be held by the Board of Water and Soil
23.14Resources are not subject to commissioner approval under this section.
23.15(b) The commissioner shall approve acquisitions under this section only when the
23.16interest in real property:
23.17(1) is identified as a high priority by the commissioner and meets the objectives and
23.18criteria identified in the applicable acquisition plan for the intended management status
23.19of the property; or
23.20(2) is otherwise identified by the commissioner as a priority for state financing.

23.21    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.056, is amended by adding a subdivision
23.22to read:
23.23    Subd. 21. Value assessment. Prior to acquiring an interest in real property with an
23.24appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund, a recipient of an appropriation must submit
23.25the most recent tax assessed value of the real property and the amount the recipient plans
23.26to offer for the interest in real property to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council and
23.27the commissioner of natural resources."