St. Paul, MN – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Environment and Natural Resources budget. The compromise legislation, which funds the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), and more, will help preserve Minnesota’s air, water, land, and wildlife for future generations.
State Representative Todd Lippert (DFL - Northfield) authored several provisions in the budget funding soil health, carbon sequestration, and combating the invasive Emerald Ash Borer.
“Minnesota’s environment is one of our greatest treasures and resources, and it’s our responsibility to be faithful stewards of the land,” said Rep. Lippert. “While we’ve put aside many important provisions in order to reach a compromise in this budget, I’m proud of the measures we’re putting forward to promote soil health and accelerate tree planting. These needed investments will protect our soils, sequester carbon in the face of climate change, and help us respond to the damage caused by the Emerald Ash Borer."
Legislation championed by Rep. Lippert resulted in a $1.35 million investment in the soil health program, and $2.5 million in one-time funding for additional carbon sequestration by providing cost share incentives for more tree planting. Rep. Lippert’s provision addressing the impacts of the Emerald Ash Borer funds $2.4 million, $800,000 ongoing, for ash management plans. This investment will be used to identify and convert ash stands to more diverse, climate-adapted species; and to replace removed ash trees.
The budget also appropriates nearly $132.27 million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, a constitutionally dedicated fund supported by state lottery proceeds. Securing these investments, which Senate Republicans refused to approve last year, was a priority for House DFLers. The investments will support 165 critical projects across the state, with funding for land acquisition, habitat, and recreation; data collection and research; methods to restore land, water, and habitat.
To ensure Minnesotans can access and enjoy the outdoors for years to come, the Environment budget invests in state and regional parks, trails, and recreation areas. It supports programs like No Child Left Inside that create more opportunities for children and young adults to get outdoors and participate in recreational activities. Funding for the operations of the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and Explore MN Tourism is included as well.
The bill language can be found here, and a spreadsheet of the included investments is available here. Video of today’s floor session will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.