There is bipartisan support for using outdoor heritage funds to pay private landowners for public access easements. The funds are derived from a dedicated tax that is distributed based on Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recommendations.
HF1146, sponsored by Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar), would allow the Board of Water and Soil Resources to purchase easements so that the public could walk onto private land to hunt, trap, fish and engage in other outdoor recreation. The bill was laid over by the House Game, Fish and Forestry Division March 1 for possible inclusion in a division omnibus bill.
Easements would be paid from a $10 million appropriation in fiscal year 2011from the outdoor heritage fund. A walk-in access program, similar to neighboring states, would enable the state to leverage federal dollars, Hackbarth said.
Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake), division chairman, said private cornfields and wheat fields in some areas could enhance wildlife hunting opportunities, but he added, “I’m not saying we use Lessard money to pay for that.”
However, Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings) said the bill meets the council’s goal to “restore, protect, and enhance Minnesota’s wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.” He added, “A lot of us can’t necessarily afford our own little hunting spot.”
Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul), an appointed member of the council, was surprised there was no opposition to the bill. “I was waiting patiently for the conservation groups or the agencies to provide comment on this. I’m waiting for the righteous indignation for raiding the funds. This is the first bill getting a hearing that takes the outdoor heritage funds, and not a peep,” Hansen said.
A companion,
SF2033, sponsored by Sen. Pat Pariseau (R-Farmington), awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Doling out resources
Omnibus environment and natural resources law also contains energy provisions
(view full story)
Published 6/1/2010
Definitions matter
Language for environment and energy spending called into question
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2010
Supplant or supplement?
Some think constitutionally dedicated funds may be filling traditional funding void
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Sinking the law on sunken timber
DNR intends to let sleeping logs lie
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Minnesota Index: Earth, wind and fire
Figures and statistics on Earth Day and the environment
(view full story)
Published 4/15/2010
Minnesota Index: Quality of life
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's quality of life
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2010
Talkin’ trash
PCA discovers interpreting the letter of the law isn’t easy
(view full story)
Published 3/18/2010
Land wHOa!
Audit suggests DNR has more land than they can manage
(view full story)
Published 3/11/2010
Safe Drug Disposal Act
Leftover drugs find their way to fish and teens
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2010
At Issue: Money for outdoors, arts gets green light
Legacy bill passes but still needs work
(view full story)
Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: Unearthing the state’s past
Legacy bill moves through final process quickly, awaits floor action
(view full story)
Published 5/8/2009
At Issue: Funding environment and energy
Conferees make additional spending cuts
(view full story)
Published 5/8/2009
First Reading: Wildfire in slow motion
Emerald ash borer ignites prevention policies
(view full story)
Published 5/1/2009
At Issue: Animal, vegetable, mineral … or chemical?
Toxic Free Kids Act survives House floor omnibus debate
(view full story)
Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Control-alt-delete
Electronic waste collections called ‘too successful’
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
Minnesota Index: Extreme weather
Figures and statistics on weather records in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
At Issue: Spending new proceeds
Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council considers projects for new tax receipts
(view full story)
Published 2/6/2009