FY2012 Final Appropriation Language and Accomplishment Plans

Subd. 2.Prairies

(a) Wildlife Management Area, Scientific and Natural Areas, and Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition - Phase III (FINAL)
$3,931,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to:(1) acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 8, and 97A.145; (2) acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and(3) acquire native prairie bank easements under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96. A list of proposed land or permanent conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $14,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan, and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.

(b) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase III (FINAL)
$1,652,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and land under native prairie bank easements.

(c) Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Buffers for Wildlife and Water (FINAL)
$2,249,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources in cooperation with Pheasants Forever to acquire permanent conservation easements to enhance habitat by expanding riparian wildlife buffers on private land. A list of proposed easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $200,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.

(d) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase III (FINAL)
$1,720,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land or permanent easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan.

(e) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project -Phase II (FINAL)
$4,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be within the two existing and two additional pilot focus areas contained in the accomplishment plan. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with appropriations from the outdoor heritage fund must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

(f) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex - Phase I (FINAL)
$1,533,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an greement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River watershed for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(g) Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase III (FINAL)
$5,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire prairie and other habitat areas for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(h) Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase III (FINAL)
$9,815,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to accelerate the acquisition of wetlands and grasslands to be added to the waterfowl production area system in Minnesota in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(i) The Green Corridor Legacy Program - Phase III (FINAL)
$1,771,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Redwood Area Development Corporation to acquire land for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

Subd. 3.Forests

(a) Minnesota Forests for the Future - Phase III (FINAL)
$5,409,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire forest and wetland habitat through working forest easements and fee acquisition under the Minnesota forests for the future program pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. A conservation easement acquired with money appropriated under this paragraph must comply with subdivision 13. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $150,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.

(b) LaSalle Lake: Protecting Critical Mississippi Headwaters Habitat (Final)
$4,632,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire land adjacent to LaSalle Lake in Hubbard County. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. If the acquisition is not completed by July 15, 2012, or if a balance remains after acquisition of land, the money under this paragraph is available for acquisition under subdivision 2, paragraph (a).

(c) Accelerated Forest Habitat Enhancement - Phase II (FINAL)
$826,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance lands in state forests, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 89.021.

(d) Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership - Phase II (FINAL)
$988,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Society to acquire and enhance lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(e) Lower Mississippi River Habitat Partnership - Phase II (FINAL)
$707,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire and enhance habitat in the lower Root River and lower Zumbro River watersheds, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivisions 7 and 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(f) Protect Key Forest Habitat Lands in Cass County - Phase II (Final)
$604,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cass County to acquire land in fee for forest wildlife habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(g) State Forest Acquisition (Final)
$1,205,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee and permanent management access easements for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

Subd. 4.Wetlands

(a) Reinvest in Minnesota Wetlands Reserve Acquisition and Restoration Program Partnership - Phase III (FINAL)
$13,000,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore wetlands and associated upland habitat in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Wetlands Reserve Program. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $112,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of monitoring and enforcement activities.

(b) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Restoration and Enhancement - Phase III (FINAL)
$936,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to develop engineering designs for shallow lakes and wetlands and restore and enhance shallow lakes.

(c) Shallow Lake Shoreland Protection: Wild Rice Lakes (FINAL)
$1,891,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire wild rice lake shoreland habitat in fee and as permanent conservation easements as follows: $500,000 to the Department of Natural Resources; $1,100,000 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources; and $291,000 to Ducks Unlimited. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $18,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.

Subd. 5. Habitat

(a) Accelerated Aquatic Management Area Habitat Program - Phase III (FINAL)
$6,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee or permanent conservation easements for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. A list of proposed acquisitions and stream and lake habitat restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan.

(b) Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement Program - Phase III (FINAL)
$1,533,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited. A list of proposed projects, describing types and locations of restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(c) Land Addition to the Janet Johnson Memorial Wildlife Management Area (Final)
$577,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Chisago County to acquire land in fee to be added to the Janet Johnson Memorial Wildlife Management Area under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(d) Metro Big Rivers Habitat - Phase II (FINAL)
$5,000,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire interests in land in fee or permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $960,000 to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $150,000 to Great River Greening; $840,000 to Minnesota Land Trust; $150,000 to Friends of the Mississippi River; and $2,900,000 to The Trust for Public Land. A list of proposed projects, describing types and locations of acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Money appropriated from the outdoor heritage fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.

(e) Protecting Sensitive Shorelands in North Central Minnesota (FINAL)
$1,098,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements with the Leech Lake Watershed Foundation and the Minnesota Land Trust as follows: $339,000 to the Leech Lake Watershed Foundation; $741,000 to the Minnesota Land Trust; and $18,000 to the Department of Natural Resources to pay for acquisition-related expenses and monitoring costs of donated permanent conservation easements on sensitive shorelands in north central Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan. Up to $342,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to subdivision 15. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.

(f) Restoring Native Habitat and Water Quality to Shell Rock River - Phase II (FINAL)
$2,577,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire land in fee at the headwaters of the Shell Rock River for aquatic management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. The leases for gravel mining existing at the time of acquisition may not be extended and all gross income generated from mining operations must be transferred to the commissioner of management and budget and credited to the outdoor heritage fund. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(g) Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grant Program (FINAL)
$5,629,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from appropriations in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $475,000. $319,000 of this appropriation may be spent for personnel costs and other administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for grants of $100,000 or less and a match of at least 15 percent from nonstate sources for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. The criteria for evaluating grant applications over $25,000 must include the amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected; local support; encouragement of a local conservation culture; urgency; capacity to achieve multiple benefits; habitat benefits provided; consistency with current conservation science; adjacency to protected lands; full funding of the project; supplementing existing funding; public access for hunting and fishing during the open season; sustainability; degree of collaboration; and use of native plant materials. All projects must conform to the Minnesota statewide conservation and preservation plan. Wildlife habitat projects must also conform to the Minnesota wildlife action plan. Subject to the evaluation criteria and requirements of this paragraph and Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects when evaluating projects of equal value. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Subdivision 9 applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2015. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the 2011 game and fish law summaries that are prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.

Subd. 6. Administration

(c ) Technical Evaluation Panel (FINAL)
$42,000 the first year to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical assistance panel to conduct up to ten restoration audits, under Minnesota Statutes, sections 97A.056, subdivision 10.