FY2013 Final Appropriation Language and Accomplishment Plans

Subd. 2. Prairies

(a) Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Buffers for Wildlife and Water - Phase II (FINAL)
$2,090,000 in the second 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 clean water fund riparian wildlife buffers on private land. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $90,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.

(b) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project - Phase III (FINAL)
$4,610,000 in the second 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. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year.

(c) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat Complex - Phase II (FINAL)
$1,760,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement 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 area purposes 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.

(d) Wildlife Management Area Acquisition (FINAL)
$2,900,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee 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) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase IV (FINAL)
$1,580,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation 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.

(f) Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase IV (FINAL)
$3,300,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee 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.

(g) Green Corridor Legacy Program - Phase IV (FINAL)
$1,730,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Redwood Area Development Corporation to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 5.1 14, and 97C.02. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(h) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase IV (FINAL)
$4,300,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(i) Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Restoration and Enhancement - Phase II (FINAL)
$1,050,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance habitat on public lands in the Anoka Sand Plain and along the Rum River as follows: $558,750 to Great River Greening; $99,400 to the Anoka Conservation District; and $391,850 to the National Wild Turkey Federation. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(j) Enhanced Public Grasslands (FINAL)
$1,320,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society to restore and enhance habitat on public lands. The criteria for selection of projects must be included in the accomplishment plan. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the final report.

Subd. 3. Forests

(a) Protecting Mississippi River Corridor Habitat ACUB Partnership - Phase II (Final)
$480,000 in the second year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements on land adjacent to the Nokasippi River and the boundaries of the Minnesota National Guard Army compatible use buffer (ACUB). A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $4,800 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.

(b) Mississippi Northwoods Habitat Complex Protection (FINAL)
$11,040,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Crow Wing County to acquire land in fee along the Mississippi River in Crow Wing County to be added to the county forest system. The purchase price must not exceed the appraised fair market value of the property as reviewed and approved under established procedures in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and the Department of Natural Resources' Supplemental Appraisal and Appraisal Review Guidelines (effective July 15, 2009). A land description must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Development of a paved trail on land acquired under this paragraph constitutes an alteration of the intended use of the interest in real property and must be handled according to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 15. Any plan, including trail alignment, for the development of a paved trail must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for approval. No paved trail development or paved trail use is allowed unless it is specified in the plan for trail use and alignment approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. If additional money is needed to acquire the land under this paragraph, by December 15, 2012, the amount necessary to complete the acquisition shall be transferred from unspent appropriations under subdivision 5, paragraph (h), and added to this appropriation.

(c) Northeastern Minnesota Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Partnership - Phase III (FINAL)
$1,340,000 in the second 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.

(d) Protect Key Forest Habitat Lands in Cass County - Phase III (FINAL)
$480,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Cass County to acquire land in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(e) Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative (FINAL)
$960,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to restore and enhance public forest lands in northeastern Minnesota for moose habitat purposes. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(f) LaSalle Lake: Protecting Critical Minnesota Headwaters Habitat (Final)
$1,000,000 in the second year is added to the appropriation in Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 1, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

Subd. 4. Wetlands

(a) Reinvest in Minnesota Wetlands Reserve Program Partnership - Phase IV (FINAL)
$13,810,000 in the second 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 land acquisitions must be provided as part of the final report. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $180,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.

(b) Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase IV (FINAL)
$5,400,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee to be managed and designated as waterfowl production areas 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.

(c) Columbus Lake Conservation Area (Final)
$940,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Anoka County to acquire land in fee for conservation purposes that connect wetlands and shallow lakes to the Lamprey Pass Wildlife Management Area. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(d) Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Initiative - Phase II (FINAL)
$4,490,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to assess, restore, and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands, including technical assistance, survey, design, and engineering to develop new enhancement and restoration projects for future implementation. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(e) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement - Phase IV (FINAL)
$3,870,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to develop engineering designs and complete construction to enhance shallow lakes and wetlands. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Work must be completed within three years of the effective date of this article.

(f) Marsh Lake Enhancement (FINAL)
$2,630,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to complete design and construction to modify the dam at Marsh Lake and return the historic outlet of the Pomme de Terre River to Lac Qui Parle.

Subd. 5. Habitat

(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase IV (FINAL)
$3,480,000 in the second 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, and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $25,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.

(b) Metro Big Rivers Habitat - Phase III (FINAL)
$3,680,000 in the second 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: $1,000,000 to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $375,000 to the Friends of the Mississippi; $375,000 to Great River Greening; $930,000 to The Minnesota Land Trust; and $1,000,000 to The Trust for Public Land. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $51,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.

(c) Dakota County Riparian and Lakeshore Protection and Management - Phase III (FINAL)
$480,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Dakota County to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance habitats along the Mississippi, Cannon, and Vermillion Rivers. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $20,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.

(d) Lower St. Louis River Habitat Restoration (FINAL)
$3,670,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore habitat in the lower St. Louis River estuary. A list of proposed projects must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(e) Coldwater Fish Habitat Enhancement - Phase IV (FINAL)
$2,120,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance coldwater fish lake, river, and stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(f) Grand Marais Creek Outlet Restoration (FINAL)
$2,320,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Red Lake Watershed District to restore and enhance stream and related habitat in Grand Marais Creek. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.

(g) Knife River Habitat Restoration (FINAL)
$380,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Lake Superior Steelhead Association to restore trout habitat in the Upper Knife River Watershed. A list of proposed restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Notwithstanding rules of the commissioner of natural resources, restorations conducted pursuant to this paragraph may be accomplished by excavation.

(h) Protect Aquatic Habitat from Asian Carp (FINAL)
$7,500,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to design, construct, operate, and evaluate structural deterrents for Asian carp to protect Minnesota's aquatic habitat. Use of this money requires a one-to-one match for projects on state boundary waters.

(i) Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grant Program - Phase IV (FINAL)
$4,990,000 in the second 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 enhancing, restoring, or protecting 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 $575,000. $366,000 of this appropriation may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary 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 all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. 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. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016. 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 game and fish law summaries that are prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.

Subd. 6. Administration

(b) Technical Evaluation Panel (FINAL)
$45,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.