1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; appropriating money from outdoor heritage fund; 
1.3 	modifying evaluation provisions; modifying prior appropriations;amending 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivision 10; Laws 2015, First 
1.5 	Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivisions 2, 3, 5.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7	Section 1. OUTDOOR HERITAGE APPROPRIATION.
 	
1.8 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
1.9 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the 
1.10 	outdoor heritage fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2016" 
1.11 	and "2017" used in this act mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for 
1.12 	the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, or June 30, 2017, respectively. "The first year" is 
1.13 	fiscal year 2016. "The second year" is fiscal year 2017. "The biennium" is fiscal years 
1.14 	2016 and 2017. The appropriations in this act are onetime.

1.15				APPROPRIATIONS
	
1.16				Available for the Year
	
1.17				Ending June 30
	
1.18					2016
		2017

1.19	Sec. 2. OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND

1.20	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	-0-
	$
	115,754,000
	
1.21 	This appropriation is from the outdoor 
1.22 	heritage fund. The amounts that may be 
1.23 	spent for each purpose are specified in the 
1.24 	following subdivisions. 

2.1	Subd. 2.Prairies
 		-0-
		31,657,000

2.2
2.3
2.4	(a) DNR Wildlife Management Area and 
Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition - Phase 
VIII
					
2.5 	$3,250,000 the second year is to the 
2.6 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
2.7 	land in fee for wildlife management purposes 
2.8 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
2.9 	subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee 
2.10 	for scientific and natural area purposes 
2.11 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
2.12 	subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria 
2.13 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
2.14 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
2.15 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
2.16 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
2.17 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
2.18 	proposed land acquisitions must be provided 
2.19 	as part of the required accomplishment plan.

2.20
2.21	(b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area 
Acquisition - Phase VIII
					
2.22 	$5,229,000 the second year is to the 
2.23 	commissioner of natural resources for 
2.24 	an agreement with Pheasants Forever to 
2.25 	acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife 
2.26 	management area purposes under Minnesota 
2.27 	Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. 
2.28 	Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota 
2.29 	Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be 
2.30 	given to acquisition of lands that are eligible 
2.31 	for the native prairie bank under Minnesota 
2.32 	Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to 
2.33 	protected native prairie. A list of proposed 
2.34 	land acquisitions must be provided as part of 
2.35 	the required accomplishment plan.

3.1
3.2	(c) Martin County/Fox Lake Wildlife 
Management Area Acquisition
					
3.3 	$1,000,000 the second year is to the 
3.4 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
3.5 	agreement with Fox Lake Conservation 
3.6 	League, Inc. to acquire land in fee and restore 
3.7 	strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other 
3.8 	wildlife habitat for wildlife management area 
3.9 	purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 
3.10 	86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed 
3.11 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
3.12 	required accomplishment plan.

3.13
3.14	(d) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National 
Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase VII
					
3.15 	$3,411,000 the second year is to the 
3.16 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
3.17 	agreement with The Nature Conservancy 
3.18 	in cooperation with the United States Fish 
3.19 	and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee 
3.20 	or permanent conservation easements and 
3.21 	restore lands within the Northern Tallgrass 
3.22 	Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western 
3.23 	Minnesota for addition to the Northern 
3.24 	Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. 
3.25 	Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota 
3.26 	Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be 
3.27 	given to acquisition of lands that are eligible 
3.28 	for the native prairie bank under Minnesota 
3.29 	Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to 
3.30 	protected native prairie. A list of proposed 
3.31 	land acquisitions must be provided as part 
3.32 	of the required accomplishment plan and 
3.33 	must be consistent with the priorities in the 
3.34 	Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.

3.35
3.36	(e) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat 
Complex - Phase VI 
					
4.1 	$583,000 the second year is to the 
4.2 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
4.3 	agreement with The Trust for Public Land 
4.4 	to acquire land in fee and restore lands in 
4.5 	the Cannon River watershed for wildlife 
4.6 	management purposes under Minnesota 
4.7 	Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. 
4.8 	Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota 
4.9 	Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be 
4.10 	given to acquisition of lands that are eligible 
4.11 	for the native prairie bank under Minnesota 
4.12 	Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to 
4.13 	protected native prairie. A list of proposed 
4.14 	land acquisitions must be provided as part of 
4.15 	the required accomplishment plan.

4.16
4.17	(f) Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection 
- Phase V
					
4.18 	$2,541,000 the second year is to the 
4.19 	commissioner of natural resources 
4.20 	to implement the Minnesota Prairie 
4.21 	Conservation Plan through the acquisition of 
4.22 	permanent conservation easements to protect 
4.23 	and restore native prairie. Of this amount, up 
4.24 	to $120,000 is for establishing monitoring 
4.25 	and enforcement funds as approved in 
4.26 	the accomplishment plan and subject to 
4.27 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
4.28 	subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria 
4.29 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
4.30 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
4.31 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
4.32 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
4.33 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
4.34 	permanent conservation easements must be 
4.35 	provided as part of the final report.

5.1
5.2	(g) Reinvest In Minnesota (RIM) Buffers for 
Wildlife and Water - Phase VI
					
5.3 	$6,708,000 the second year is to the Board 
5.4 	of Water and Soil Resources to acquire 
5.5 	permanent conservation easements and 
5.6 	restore habitat under Minnesota Statutes, 
5.7 	section 103F.515, to protect, restore, and 
5.8 	enhance habitat by expanding the clean 
5.9 	water fund riparian buffer program for at 
5.10 	least equal wildlife benefits from buffers on 
5.11 	private land. Of this amount, up to $130,000 
5.12 	is to establish a monitoring and enforcement 
5.13 	fund as approved in the accomplishment plan 
5.14 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
5.15 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
5.16 	conservation easements must be provided as 
5.17 	part of the final report.

5.18
5.19	(h) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the 
Southern Red River Valley - Phase II
					
5.20 	$2,269,000 the second year is to the 
5.21 	commissioner of natural resources for 
5.22 	an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in 
5.23 	cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie 
5.24 	Chicken Society, to acquire land in fee and 
5.25 	restore and enhance lands in the southern 
5.26 	Red River Valley for wildlife management 
5.27 	purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 
5.28 	86A.05, subdivision 8, or for designation 
5.29 	and management as waterfowl production 
5.30 	areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the 
5.31 	United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 
5.32 	Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota 
5.33 	Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be 
5.34 	given to acquisition of lands that are eligible 
5.35 	for the native prairie bank under Minnesota 
5.36 	Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to 
6.1 	protected native prairie. A list of proposed 
6.2 	land acquisitions must be provided as part of 
6.3 	the required accomplishment plan.

6.4
6.5	(i) Grassland Conservation Partnership - 
Phase II
					
6.6 	$1,475,000 the second year is to the 
6.7 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
6.8 	agreement with The Conservation Fund, in 
6.9 	cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust, to 
6.10 	acquire permanent conservation easements 
6.11 	and restore high priority grassland, prairie, 
6.12 	and wetland habitats as follows: $64,000 
6.13 	to The Conservation Fund; and $1,411,000 
6.14 	to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to 
6.15 	$100,000 is for establishing a monitoring 
6.16 	and enforcement fund, as approved in 
6.17 	the accomplishment plan and subject to 
6.18 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
6.19 	subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria 
6.20 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
6.21 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
6.22 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
6.23 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
6.24 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
6.25 	proposed acquisitions must be provided as 
6.26 	part of the required accomplishment plan and 
6.27 	must be consistent with the priorities in the 
6.28 	Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.

6.29
6.30	(j) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and 
Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase VIII
					
6.31 	$3,983,000 the second year is to the 
6.32 	commissioner of natural resources to 
6.33 	accelerate restoration and enhancement 
6.34 	of prairies, grasslands, and savannas on 
6.35 	wildlife management areas, scientific and 
6.36 	natural areas, native prairie bank land, 
7.1 	and bluff prairies on state forest land in 
7.2 	southeastern Minnesota. A list of proposed 
7.3 	land restorations and enhancements 
7.4 	must be provided as part of the required 
7.5 	accomplishment plan.

7.6
7.7	(k) Anoka Sandplain Habitat Restoration and 
Enhancement - Phase IV
					
7.8 	$1,208,000 the second year is to the 
7.9 	commissioner of natural resources for 
7.10 	agreements to restore and enhance wildlife 
7.11 	habitat on public lands in Anoka, Isanti, 
7.12 	Morrison, Sherburne, and Todd Counties as 
7.13 	follows: $93,000 to Anoka Conservation 
7.14 	District; $25,000 to Isanti County Parks 
7.15 	and Recreation Department; $813,000 to 
7.16 	Great River Greening; and $277,000 to the 
7.17 	National Wild Turkey Federation. A list of 
7.18 	proposed land restorations and enhancements 
7.19 	must be provided as part of the required 
7.20 	accomplishment plan.

7.21	Subd. 3.Forests
 		-0-
		20,341,000

7.22	(a) Young Forest Conservation - Phase II
					
7.23 	$1,369,000 the second year is to the 
7.24 	commissioner of natural resources for 
7.25 	an agreement with the American Bird 
7.26 	Conservancy to restore publicly owned, 
7.27 	permanently protected forest lands for 
7.28 	wildlife management purposes. A list 
7.29 	of proposed forest land restorations 
7.30 	must be provided as part of the required 
7.31 	accomplishment plan.

7.32
7.33	(b) Jack Pine Forest/Crow Wing River 
Watershed Habitat Acquisition 
					
7.34 	$5,532,000 the second year is to the 
7.35 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
8.1 	agreement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters 
8.2 	Association to acquire in fee and restore 
8.3 	and enhance forest habitat lands in Cass, 
8.4 	Hubbard, and Wadena Counties. Annual 
8.5 	income statements and balance sheets for 
8.6 	income and expenses from land acquired in 
8.7 	fee with this appropriation and not transferred 
8.8 	to state or local government ownership must 
8.9 	be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor 
8.10 	Heritage Council no later than 180 days 
8.11 	following the close of the Minnesota Deer 
8.12 	Hunters Association's fiscal year. A list of 
8.13 	proposed land acquisitions must be provided 
8.14 	as part of the required accomplishment plan.

8.15	(c) Camp Ripley Partnership - Phase VI
					
8.16 	$1,500,000 the second year is to the Board 
8.17 	of Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation 
8.18 	with the Morrison County Soil and Water 
8.19 	Conservation District, to acquire permanent 
8.20 	conservation easements and restore forest 
8.21 	wildlife habitat within the boundaries 
8.22 	of the Minnesota National Guard Camp 
8.23 	Ripley Compatible Use Buffer. Of this 
8.24 	amount, up to $72,000 is to establish 
8.25 	a monitoring and enforcement fund, as 
8.26 	approved in the accomplishment plan and 
8.27 	subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
8.28 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
8.29 	conservation easements must be provided as 
8.30 	part of the final report.

8.31
8.32	(d) Southeast Minnesota Protection and 
Restoration - Phase IV
					
8.33 	$5,000,000 the second year is to the 
8.34 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
8.35 	agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in 
9.1 	cooperation with The Trust for Public Land 
9.2 	and Minnesota Land Trust, to acquire land 
9.3 	in fee for wildlife management purposes 
9.4 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
9.5 	subdivision 8, to acquire land in fee for 
9.6 	scientific and natural areas under Minnesota 
9.7 	Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 
9.8 	5, to acquire land in fee for state forest 
9.9 	purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 
9.10 	86A.05, subdivision 7, to acquire permanent 
9.11 	conservation easements, and to restore 
9.12 	and enhance prairie, grasslands, forest, 
9.13 	and savanna as follows: $1,506,000 to 
9.14 	The Nature Conservancy; $2,930,000 to 
9.15 	The Trust for Public Land; and $564,000 
9.16 	to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to 
9.17 	$80,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to 
9.18 	establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, 
9.19 	as approved in the accomplishment plan 
9.20 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
9.21 	97A.056, subdivision 17. Annual income 
9.22 	statements and balance sheets for income 
9.23 	and expenses from land acquired in fee with 
9.24 	this appropriation and not transferred to 
9.25 	state or local government ownership must 
9.26 	be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor 
9.27 	Heritage Council. A list of proposed land 
9.28 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
9.29 	required accomplishment plan.

9.30	(e) Minnesota Forests for the Future - Phase IV
					
9.31 	$1,840,000 the second year is to the 
9.32 	commissioner of natural resources to 
9.33 	acquire forest, wetland, and shoreline 
9.34 	habitat through working forest permanent 
9.35 	conservation easements under the Minnesota 
9.36 	forests for the future program pursuant 
10.1 	to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66. 
10.2 	A conservation easement acquired with 
10.3 	money appropriated under this paragraph 
10.4 	must comply with Minnesota Statutes, 
10.5 	section 97A.056, subdivision 13. The 
10.6 	accomplishment plan must include an 
10.7 	easement monitoring and enforcement 
10.8 	plan. Of this amount, up to $25,000 is to 
10.9 	establish a monitoring and enforcement fund 
10.10 	as approved in the accomplishment plan 
10.11 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
10.12 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
10.13 	conservation easements must be provided as 
10.14 	part of the final report.

10.15
10.16	(f) Protect Key Forest Lands in Cass County - 
Phase VII
					
10.17 	$500,000 the second year is to the 
10.18 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
10.19 	agreement with Cass County to acquire land 
10.20 	in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife 
10.21 	habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation. 
10.22 	A list of proposed land acquisitions 
10.23 	must be provided as part of the required 
10.24 	accomplishment plan.

10.25	(g) State Forest Acquisitions - Phase III
					
10.26 	$1,000,000 the second year is to the 
10.27 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
10.28 	lands in fee for wildlife habitat purposes 
10.29 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
10.30 	subdivision 7. A list of proposed land 
10.31 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
10.32 	required accomplishment plan.

10.33
10.34	(h) Forest Habitat Protection Revolving 
Account
					
11.1 	$1,000,000 the second year is to the 
11.2 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
11.3 	lands in fee and permanent conservation 
11.4 	easements for wildlife habitat purposes, 
11.5 	for forest consolidation and connective 
11.6 	corridor purposes, or to prevent forest 
11.7 	fragmentation under Minnesota Statutes, 
11.8 	section 86A.05, subdivision 7. Proceeds 
11.9 	from any subsequent sale of lands acquired 
11.10 	with this appropriation must be used for the 
11.11 	purposes of this appropriation. Any sale 
11.12 	proceeds remaining unused upon close of the 
11.13 	appropriation availability must be returned to 
11.14 	the outdoor heritage fund. A list of proposed 
11.15 	land acquisitions must be provided as part of 
11.16 	the required accomplishment plan. Unless 
11.17 	otherwise provided, this appropriation is 
11.18 	available until June 30, 2022. For acquisition 
11.19 	of real property, this appropriation is 
11.20 	available until June 30, 2023, if a binding 
11.21 	agreement with a landowner or purchase 
11.22 	agreement is entered into by June 30, 
11.23 	2022, and closed no later than June 30, 
11.24 	2023. Of this amount, up to $50,000 is to 
11.25 	establish a monitoring and enforcement fund 
11.26 	as approved in the accomplishment plan 
11.27 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
11.28 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
11.29 	conservation easements must be provided as 
11.30 	part of the final report.

11.31
11.32	(i) Mississippi River Floodplain Forest 
Enhancement - Phase II
					
11.33 	$412,000 the second year is to the 
11.34 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
11.35 	agreement with the National Audubon 
11.36 	Society to restore and enhance floodplain 
12.1 	forest habitat for wildlife on public 
12.2 	lands along the Mississippi River. A 
12.3 	list of restorations and enhancements 
12.4 	must be provided as part of the required 
12.5 	accomplishment plan.

12.6
12.7	(j) Protecting Forest Wildlife Habitat in the 
Wild Rice River Watershed
					
12.8 	$2,188,000 the second year is to the 
12.9 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
12.10 	agreement with the White Earth Nation to 
12.11 	acquire lands in fee in Clearwater County to 
12.12 	be managed for wildlife habitat purposes. 
12.13 	A list of proposed land acquisitions 
12.14 	must be provided as part of the required 
12.15 	accomplishment plan. The White Earth 
12.16 	Nation and the commissioner of natural 
12.17 	resources shall create a special single 
12.18 	hunting zone on property acquired with this 
12.19 	appropriation that is based on the White Earth 
12.20 	Nation's tribal hunting, fishing, trapping, and 
12.21 	gathering seasons and limits.

12.22	Subd. 4.Wetlands
 		-0-
		31,712,000

12.23
12.24	(a) Accelerating the Waterfowl Production 
Area Acquisition - Phase VIII
					
12.25 	$6,307,000 the second year is to the 
12.26 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
12.27 	agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire 
12.28 	in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and 
12.29 	grasslands to be designated and managed as 
12.30 	waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, 
12.31 	in cooperation with the United States Fish 
12.32 	and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land 
12.33 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
12.34 	required accomplishment plan.

12.35
12.36	(b) Shallow Lake and Wetland Protection 
Program - Phase V
					
13.1 	$5,801,000 the second year is to the 
13.2 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
13.3 	agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire 
13.4 	in fee and restore prairie lands, wetlands, 
13.5 	and land buffering shallow lakes for wildlife 
13.6 	management purposes under Minnesota 
13.7 	Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list 
13.8 	of proposed acquisitions must be provided as 
13.9 	part of the required accomplishment plan.

13.10	(c) RIM Wetlands Partnership - Phase VII
					
13.11 	$13,808,000 the second year is to the Board 
13.12 	of Water and Soil Resources to acquire lands 
13.13 	in permanent conservation easements and 
13.14 	to restore wetlands and native grassland 
13.15 	habitat under Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.16 	103F.515. Of this amount, up to $195,000 is 
13.17 	to establish a monitoring and enforcement 
13.18 	fund as approved in the accomplishment plan 
13.19 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.20 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
13.21 	conservation easements must be provided as 
13.22 	part of the final report.

13.23
13.24	(d) Wetland Habitat Protection Program - 
Phase II
					
13.25 	$1,629,000 the second year is to the 
13.26 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
13.27 	agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to 
13.28 	acquire permanent conservation easements 
13.29 	in high-priority wetland habitat complexes 
13.30 	in the prairie and forest/prairie transition 
13.31 	regions. Of this amount, up to $180,000 is to 
13.32 	establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, 
13.33 	as approved in the accomplishment plan 
13.34 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.35 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed 
14.1 	easement acquisitions must be provided as 
14.2 	part of the final report.

14.3
14.4	(e) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands 
Enhancement - Phase VIII
					
14.5 	$2,167,000 the second year is to the 
14.6 	commissioner of natural resources to enhance 
14.7 	and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat 
14.8 	statewide. A list of proposed land restorations 
14.9 	and enhancements must be provided as part 
14.10 	of the required accomplishment plan.

14.11	(f) Marsh Lake - Phase II
					
14.12 	$2,000,000 the second year is to the 
14.13 	commissioner of natural resources to modify 
14.14 	the dam at Marsh Lake for improved habitat 
14.15 	management and to return the historic outlet 
14.16 	of the Pomme de Terre River to Lac Qui Parle.

14.17	Subd. 5.Habitats
 		-0-
		31,769,000

14.18
14.19	(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat Protection - Phase 
VIII
					
14.20 	$1,578,000 the second year is to the 
14.21 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
14.22 	land in fee and permanent conservation 
14.23 	easements for aquatic management purposes 
14.24 	under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, 
14.25 	subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to acquire 
14.26 	permanent conservation easements under 
14.27 	the Minnesota forests for the future 
14.28 	program pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, 
14.29 	section 84.66, and to restore and enhance 
14.30 	aquatic and adjacent upland habitat. 
14.31 	Of this amount, up to $153,000 is to 
14.32 	establish a monitoring and enforcement 
14.33 	fund as approved in the accomplishment 
14.34 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
14.35 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
15.1 	proposed land acquisitions, conservation 
15.2 	easements, restorations, and enhancements 
15.3 	must be provided as part of the required 
15.4 	accomplishment plan.

15.5	(b) Metro Big Rivers Habitat - Phase VII
					
15.6 	$4,000,000 the second year is to the 
15.7 	commissioner of natural resources for 
15.8 	agreements to acquire land in fee and 
15.9 	permanent conservation easements and 
15.10 	to restore and enhance natural systems 
15.11 	associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, 
15.12 	and St. Croix Rivers within the metropolitan 
15.13 	area as follows: $500,000 to Minnesota 
15.14 	Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, 
15.15 	Inc.; $430,000 to Friends of the Mississippi 
15.16 	River; $1,170,000 to Great River Greening; 
15.17 	$800,000 to The Trust for Public Land; and 
15.18 	$1,100,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, of 
15.19 	which up to $60,000 to Minnesota Land Trust 
15.20 	is to establish a monitoring and enforcement 
15.21 	fund as approved in the accomplishment 
15.22 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
15.23 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
15.24 	proposed land acquisitions and permanent 
15.25 	conservation easements must be provided as 
15.26 	part of the required accomplishment plan.

15.27
15.28	(c) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor 
Partnership - Phase II
					
15.29 	$3,150,000 the second year is to the 
15.30 	commissioner of natural resources for 
15.31 	agreements to acquire lands in fee in the 
15.32 	Mississippi Headwaters and for agreements 
15.33 	as follows: $76,000 to the Mississippi 
15.34 	Headwaters Board; and $2,029,000 to 
15.35 	The Trust for Public Land. $1,045,000 
16.1 	the second year is to the Board of Water 
16.2 	and Soil Resources to acquire permanent 
16.3 	conservation easements and to restore 
16.4 	wildlife habitat, of which up to $78,000 is 
16.5 	to establish a monitoring and enforcement 
16.6 	fund as approved in the accomplishment plan 
16.7 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
16.8 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed 
16.9 	acquisitions must be included as part of the 
16.10 	required accomplishment plan.

16.11
16.12	(d) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic 
North Central Minnesota Lakes - Phase II
					
16.13 	$1,425,000 the second year is to the 
16.14 	commissioner of natural resources for 
16.15 	agreements with the Leech Lake Area 
16.16 	Watershed Foundation and Minnesota Land 
16.17 	Trust to acquire land in fee and permanent 
16.18 	conservation easements to sustain healthy 
16.19 	fish habitat on cold water lakes in Aitkin, 
16.20 	Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard Counties 
16.21 	as follows: $480,000 to Leech Lake Area 
16.22 	Watershed Foundation; and $945,000 to 
16.23 	Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to 
16.24 	$180,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to 
16.25 	establish a monitoring and enforcement fund 
16.26 	as approved in the accomplishment plan 
16.27 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
16.28 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed 
16.29 	land acquisitions must be provided as part of 
16.30 	the required accomplishment plan.

16.31
16.32
16.33	(e) Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish 
Habitat Enhancement and Restoration - Phase 
VIII
					
16.34 	$2,632,000 the second year is to the 
16.35 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
16.36 	agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited 
17.1 	to restore or enhance habitat for trout and 
17.2 	other species in and along cold water rivers, 
17.3 	lakes, and streams in Minnesota. A list of 
17.4 	proposed restorations and enhancements 
17.5 	must be provided as part of the required 
17.6 	accomplishment plan.

17.7	(f) DNR Stream Habitat
					
17.8 	$2,074,000 the second year is to the 
17.9 	commissioner of natural resources to restore 
17.10 	and enhance habitat to facilitate fish passage, 
17.11 	degraded streams, and critical aquatic species 
17.12 	habitat. A list of proposed land restorations 
17.13 	and enhancements must be provided as part 
17.14 	of the required accomplishment plan.

17.15
17.16	(g) St. Louis River Restoration Initiative - 
Phase III
					
17.17 	$2,707,000 the second year is to the 
17.18 	commissioner of natural resources to restore 
17.19 	aquatic habitats in the St. Louis River 
17.20 	estuary. A list of proposed restorations 
17.21 	must be provided as part of the required 
17.22 	accomplishment plan.

17.23	(h) Sand Hill River Fish Passage - Phase II
					
17.24 	$828,000 the second year is to the 
17.25 	commissioner of natural resources for 
17.26 	an agreement with the Sand Hill River 
17.27 	Watershed District, in cooperation with 
17.28 	the Department of Natural Resources and 
17.29 	Army Corps of Engineers, to restore and 
17.30 	enhance fish passage and habitat in the Sand 
17.31 	Hill River watershed. A list of proposed 
17.32 	restorations must be provided as part of the 
17.33 	required accomplishment plan.

17.34
17.35	(i) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat 
Restoration Program - Phase V
					
18.1 	$1,200,000 the second year is to the 
18.2 	commissioner of natural resources for 
18.3 	an agreement with the Shell Rock River 
18.4 	Watershed District to acquire in fee, restore, 
18.5 	and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell 
18.6 	Rock River watershed. A list of proposed 
18.7 	acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements 
18.8 	must be provided as part of the required 
18.9 	accomplishment plan.

18.10	(j) Roseau Lake Rehabilitation
					
18.11 	$2,763,000 the second year is to the 
18.12 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
18.13 	land in fee and permanent conservation 
18.14 	easements for wildlife management purposes 
18.15 	in Roseau County under Minnesota Statutes, 
18.16 	section 86A.05, subdivision 8, to restore 
18.17 	and enhance wildlife habitat. A list of 
18.18 	proposed land acquisitions and restorations 
18.19 	and enhancements must be provided as part 
18.20 	of the required accomplishment plan.

18.21
18.22
18.23	(k) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant 
Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat - 
Phase VIII
					
18.24 	$9,412,000 the second year is to the 
18.25 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
18.26 	program to provide competitive, matching 
18.27 	grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, 
18.28 	state, and national organizations for 
18.29 	enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, 
18.30 	wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or 
18.31 	wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, up to 
18.32 	$2,500,000 is for grants in the seven-county 
18.33 	metropolitan area and cities with a population 
18.34 	of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made 
18.35 	for activities required to fulfill the duties 
18.36 	of owners of lands subject to conservation 
19.1 	easements. Grants shall not be made from the 
19.2 	appropriation in this paragraph for projects 
19.3 	that have a total project cost exceeding 
19.4 	$575,000. Of the total appropriation, 
19.5 	$588,000 may be spent for personnel costs 
19.6 	and other direct and necessary administrative 
19.7 	costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests 
19.8 	in land. Easements must be permanent. 
19.9 	Grants may not be used to establish easement 
19.10 	stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee 
19.11 	must be open to hunting and fishing during 
19.12 	the open season unless otherwise provided 
19.13 	by law. The program must require a match 
19.14 	of at least ten percent from nonstate sources 
19.15 	for all grants. The match may be cash or 
19.16 	in-kind resources. For grant applications 
19.17 	of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall 
19.18 	provide a separate, simplified application 
19.19 	process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the 
19.20 	commissioner of natural resources shall, 
19.21 	when evaluating projects of equal value, 
19.22 	give priority to organizations that have a 
19.23 	history of receiving or a charter to receive 
19.24 	private contributions for local conservation 
19.25 	or habitat projects. If acquiring land in fee 
19.26 	or a conservation easement, priority must be 
19.27 	given to projects associated with or within 
19.28 	one mile of existing wildlife management 
19.29 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 
19.30 	86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural 
19.31 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
19.32 	84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic 
19.33 	management areas under Minnesota Statutes, 
19.34 	sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. 
19.35 	All restoration or enhancement projects 
19.36 	must be on land permanently protected by 
20.1 	a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual 
20.2 	maintenance and protection of restored 
20.3 	and enhanced habitat, by a conservation 
20.4 	easement, by public ownership, or in public 
20.5 	waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, 
20.6 	section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority 
20.7 	must be given to restoration and enhancement 
20.8 	projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, 
20.9 	section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies 
20.10 	to grants awarded under this paragraph. 
20.11 	This appropriation is available until June 
20.12 	30, 2020. No less than five percent of the 
20.13 	amount of each grant must be held back from 
20.14 	reimbursement until the grant recipient has 
20.15 	completed a grant accomplishment report by 
20.16 	the deadline and in the form prescribed by 
20.17 	and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor 
20.18 	Heritage Council. The commissioner shall 
20.19 	provide notice of the grant program in 
20.20 	the game and fish law summary prepared 
20.21 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, 
20.22 	subdivision 2.

20.23	Subd. 6.Administration
 		-0-
		275,000

20.24	(a) Contract Management
					
20.25 	$150,000 the second year is to the 
20.26 	commissioner of natural resources for 
20.27 	contract management duties assigned in this 
20.28 	section. The commissioner shall provide an 
20.29 	accomplishment plan in the form specified by 
20.30 	the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council 
20.31 	on the expenditure of this appropriation. 
20.32 	The accomplishment plan must include 
20.33 	a copy of the grant contract template 
20.34 	and reimbursement manual. No money 
20.35 	may be expended prior to Lessard-Sams 
21.1 	Outdoor Heritage Council approval of the 
21.2 	accomplishment plan.

21.3	(b) Technical Evaluation Panel
					
21.4 	$125,000 the second year is to the 
21.5 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
21.6 	technical evaluation panel to conduct up to 
21.7 	15 restoration and enhancement evaluations 
21.8 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
21.9 	subdivision 10.

21.10	Subd. 7.Availability of Appropriation
 					
21.11 	Money appropriated in this section may 
21.12 	not be spent on activities unless they are 
21.13 	directly related to and necessary for a 
21.14 	specific appropriation and are specified in 
21.15 	the accomplishment plan approved by the 
21.16 	Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. 
21.17 	Money appropriated in this section must not 
21.18 	be spent on indirect costs or other institutional 
21.19 	overhead charges that are not directly related 
21.20 	to and necessary for a specific appropriation.  
21.21 	Unless otherwise provided, the amounts 
21.22 	in this section are available until June 30, 
21.23 	2019. For acquisition of real property, the 
21.24 	amounts in this section are available until 
21.25 	June 30, 2020, if a binding agreement with a 
21.26 	landowner or purchase agreement is entered 
21.27 	into by June 30, 2019, and closed no later 
21.28 	than June 30, 2020. Funds for restoration 
21.29 	or enhancement are available until June 
21.30 	30, 2021, or five years after acquisition, 
21.31 	whichever is later, in order to complete initial 
21.32 	restoration or enhancement work. If a project 
21.33 	receives at least 15 percent of its funding 
21.34 	from federal funds, the time period of the 
21.35 	appropriation may be extended to equal the 
22.1 	availability of federal funding to a maximum 
22.2 	of six years, provided the federal funding 
22.3 	was confirmed and included in the first draft 
22.4 	accomplishment plan. Money appropriated 
22.5 	for fee title acquisition of land may be used to 
22.6 	restore, enhance, and provide for public use 
22.7 	of the land acquired with the appropriation. 
22.8 	Public use facilities must have a minimal 
22.9 	impact on habitat in acquired lands. 

22.10
22.11	Subd. 8.Payment Conditions and Capital 
Equipment Expenditures
 					
22.12 	All agreements referred to in this section must 
22.13 	be administered on a reimbursement basis 
22.14 	unless otherwise provided in this section. 
22.15 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
22.16 	16A.41, expenditures directly related 
22.17 	to each appropriation's purpose made 
22.18 	on or after July 1, 2016, or the date of 
22.19 	accomplishment plan approval, whichever is 
22.20 	later, are eligible for reimbursement unless 
22.21 	otherwise provided in this section. For the 
22.22 	purposes of administering appropriations 
22.23 	and legislatively authorized agreements paid 
22.24 	out of the outdoor heritage fund, an expense 
22.25 	must be considered reimbursable by the 
22.26 	administering agency when the recipient 
22.27 	presents the agency with an invoice, or 
22.28 	binding agreement with the landowner, and 
22.29 	the recipient attests that the goods have 
22.30 	been received or the landowner agreement 
22.31 	is binding. Periodic reimbursement must 
22.32 	be made upon receiving documentation that 
22.33 	the items articulated in the accomplishment 
22.34 	plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor 
22.35 	Heritage Council have been achieved, 
22.36 	including partial achievements as evidenced 
23.1 	by progress reports approved by the 
23.2 	Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. 
23.3 	Reasonable amounts may be advanced to 
23.4 	projects to accommodate cash flow needs, 
23.5 	support future management of acquired 
23.6 	lands, or match a federal share. The 
23.7 	advances must be approved as part of the 
23.8 	accomplishment plan. Capital equipment 
23.9 	expenditures for specific items in excess of 
23.10 	$10,000 must be itemized in and approved as 
23.11 	part of the accomplishment plan.

23.12	Subd. 9.Mapping
 					
23.13 	Each direct recipient of money appropriated 
23.14 	in this section, as well as each recipient of 
23.15 	a grant awarded pursuant to this section, 
23.16 	must provide geographic information to the 
23.17 	Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council 
23.18 	for mapping of any lands acquired in fee 
23.19 	with funds appropriated in this section and 
23.20 	open to public taking of fish and game. The 
23.21 	commissioner of natural resources shall 
23.22 	include the lands acquired in fee with money 
23.23 	appropriated in this section on maps showing 
23.24 	public recreation opportunities. Maps must 
23.25 	include information on and acknowledgment 
23.26 	of the outdoor heritage fund, including a 
23.27 	notation of any restrictions.

23.28
23.29	Subd. 10.RIM Buffers for Wildlife and Water 
Restorations
 					
23.30 	The following appropriations to the Board 
23.31 	of Water and Soil Resources for the RIM 
23.32 	buffers for wildlife and water program 
23.33 	may be used for restoration of lands 
23.34 	acquired by conservation easement with the 
23.35 	appropriations:
24.1 	(1) Laws 2015, First Special Session 
24.2 	chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, 
24.3 	paragraph (f);
24.4 	(2) Laws 2014, chapter 256, article 1, section 
24.5 	2, subdivision 2, paragraph (f);
24.6 	(3) Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 1, section 
24.7 	2, subdivision 2, paragraph (e);
24.8 	(4) Laws 2012, chapter 264, article 1, section 
24.9 	2, subdivision 2, paragraph (a); and
24.10 	(5) Laws 2011, First Special Session 
24.11 	chapter 6, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, 
24.12 	paragraph (c).

24.13 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97A.056, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
24.14 		Subd. 10.Restoration and enhancements evaluations.  The commissioner of 
24.15 	natural resources and the Board of Water and Soil Resources may must convene a technical 
24.16 	evaluation panel comprised of five members, including one technical representative from 
24.17 	the Board of Water and Soil Resources, one technical representative from the Department of 
24.18 	Natural Resources, one technical expert from the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota 
24.19 	State Colleges and Universities, and two representatives with expertise in the project 
24.20 	being evaluated. The board and the commissioner may add a technical representative from 
24.21 	a unit of federal or local government. The members of the technical evaluation panel 
24.22 	may not be associated with the restoration or enhancement, may vary depending upon 
24.23 	the projects being reviewed, and shall avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Each year, 
24.24 	the board and the commissioner may assign a coordinator to identify a sample of up to 
24.25 	ten habitat restoration or enhancement projects completed with outdoor heritage funding. 
24.26 	The coordinator shall secure the restoration plans for the projects specified and direct 
24.27 	the technical evaluation panel to evaluate the restorations and enhancements relative to 
24.28 	the law, current science, and the stated goals and standards in the restoration project 
24.29 	plan and, when applicable, to the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation 
24.30 	establishment and enhancement guidelines. The coordinator shall summarize the findings 
24.31 	of the panel and provide a report to the chair of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage 
24.32 	Council and the chairs of the respective house of representatives and senate policy and 
24.33 	finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and spending from the outdoor 
24.34 	heritage fund. The report shall determine if the restorations and enhancements are meeting 
25.1 	planned goals, any problems with the implementation of restorations and enhancements, 
25.2 	and, if necessary, recommendations on improving restorations and enhancements. The 
25.3 	report shall be focused on improving future restorations and enhancements. At least 
25.4 	one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from the outdoor heritage fund must be 
25.5 	used for restoration and enhancements evaluations under this section.

25.6 	Sec. 4. Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, 
25.7 	is amended to read:

25.8	Subd. 2.Prairies
 		40,948,000
		-0-

25.925.10
25.11
	(a) DNR Wildlife Management Area and 
Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition - Phase 
VII
					
25.12 	$4,570,000 in the first year is to the 
25.13 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
25.14 	land in fee for wildlife management purposes 
25.15 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
25.16 	subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee 
25.17 	for scientific and natural area purposes 
25.18 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
25.19 	subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria 
25.20 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
25.21 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
25.22 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
25.23 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
25.24 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
25.25 	proposed land and permanent conservation 
25.26 	easement acquisitions must be provided as 
25.27 	part of the required accomplishment plan.

25.28
25.29	(b) Accelerating Wildlife Management Area 
Acquisition - Phase VII
					
25.30 	$7,452,000 in the first year is to the 
25.31 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
25.32 	agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire 
25.33 	land in fee for wildlife management area 
25.34 	purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 
25.35 	86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation 
26.1 	criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, 
26.2 	priority must be given to acquisition of 
26.3 	lands that are eligible for the native prairie 
26.4 	bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 
26.5 	84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native 
26.6 	prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions 
26.7 	must be provided as part of the required 
26.8 	accomplishment plan.

26.926.10
	(c) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project - Phase 
VI
					
26.11 	$4,032,000 in the first year is to the 
26.12 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
26.13 	agreement with The Nature Conservancy 
26.14 	to acquire native prairie, wetlands, and 
26.15 	savanna and restore and enhance grasslands, 
26.16 	wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation 
26.17 	criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, 
26.18 	priority must be given to acquisition of lands 
26.19 	that are eligible for the native prairie bank 
26.20 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or 
26.21 	lands adjacent to protected native prairie. 
26.22 	Annual income statements and balance sheets 
26.23 	for income and expenses from land acquired 
26.24 	with this appropriation must be submitted 
26.25 	to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage 
26.26 	Council no later than 180 days following 
26.27 	the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal 
26.28 	year. A list of proposed land acquisitions 
26.29 	must be provided as part of the required 
26.30 	accomplishment plan and must be consistent 
26.31 	with the priorities identified in the Minnesota 
26.32 	Prairie Conservation Plan.

26.33
26.34	(d) Northern Tallgrass Prairie National 
Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase V VI
					
26.35 	$3,430,000 in the first year is to the 
26.36 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
27.1 	agreement with The Nature Conservancy 
27.2 	in cooperation with the United States Fish 
27.3 	and Wildlife Service to acquire land in 
27.4 	fee or permanent conservation easements 
27.5 	within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat 
27.6 	Preservation Area in western Minnesota 
27.7 	for addition to the Northern Tallgrass 
27.8 	Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject 
27.9 	to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, 
27.10 	part 6136.0900, priority must be given to 
27.11 	acquisition of lands that are eligible for 
27.12 	the native prairie bank under Minnesota 
27.13 	Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to 
27.14 	protected native prairie. A list of proposed 
27.15 	land acquisitions must be provided as part 
27.16 	of the required accomplishment plan and 
27.17 	must be consistent with the priorities in the 
27.18 	Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.

27.19
27.20	(e) Accelerated Native Prairie Bank Protection 
- Phase IV
					
27.21 	$3,740,000 in the first year is to the 
27.22 	commissioner of natural resources 
27.23 	to implement the Minnesota Prairie 
27.24 	Conservation Plan through the acquisition 
27.25 	of permanent conservation easements to 
27.26 	protect native prairie and grasslands. Up 
27.27 	to $165,000 is for establishing monitoring 
27.28 	and enforcement funds as approved in 
27.29 	the accomplishment plan and subject to 
27.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
27.31 	subdivision 17. Subject to evaluation criteria 
27.32 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
27.33 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
27.34 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
27.35 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
27.36 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
28.1 	permanent conservation easements must be 
28.2 	provided as part of the final report. 

28.3
28.4	(f) Minnesota Buffers for Wildlife and Water 
- Phase V
					
28.5 	$4,544,000 in the first year is to the Board 
28.6 	of Water and Soil Resources to acquire 
28.7 	permanent conservation easements to protect 
28.8 	and enhance habitat by expanding the clean 
28.9 	water fund riparian buffer program for at 
28.10 	least equal wildlife benefits from buffers 
28.11 	on private land. Up to $72,500 is for 
28.12 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
28.13 	fund as approved in the accomplishment plan 
28.14 	and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
28.15 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
28.16 	conservation easements must be provided as 
28.17 	part of the final report.

28.18
28.19	(g) Cannon River Headwaters Habitat 
Complex - Phase V
					
28.20 	$1,380,000 in the first year is to the 
28.21 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
28.22 	agreement with The Trust for Public Land to 
28.23 	acquire and restore lands in the Cannon River 
28.24 	watershed for wildlife management purposes 
28.25 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
28.26 	subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria 
28.27 	in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority 
28.28 	must be given to acquisition of lands that 
28.29 	are eligible for the native prairie bank under 
28.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands 
28.31 	adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of 
28.32 	proposed land acquisitions must be provided 
28.33 	as part of the required accomplishment plan.

28.34
28.35	(h) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the 
Southern Red River Valley
					
29.1 	$1,800,000 in the first year is to the 
29.2 	commissioner of natural resources for 
29.3 	an agreement with Pheasants Forever in 
29.4 	cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie 
29.5 	Chicken Society to acquire and restore lands 
29.6 	in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife 
29.7 	management purposes under Minnesota 
29.8 	Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, 
29.9 	or for designation and management as 
29.10 	waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, 
29.11 	in cooperation with the United States Fish 
29.12 	and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land 
29.13 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
29.14 	required accomplishment plan.

29.15
29.16	(i) Protecting and Restoring Minnesota's 
Important Bird Areas
					
29.17 	$1,730,000 in the first year is to the 
29.18 	commissioner of natural resources for 
29.19 	agreements to acquire conservation 
29.20 	easements within important bird areas 
29.21 	identified in the Minnesota Prairie 
29.22 	Conservation Plan, to be used as follows: 
29.23 	$408,000 is to Audubon Minnesota and 
29.24 	$1,322,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of 
29.25 	which up to $100,000 is for establishing 
29.26 	monitoring and enforcement funds as 
29.27 	approved in the accomplishment plan and 
29.28 	subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
29.29 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent 
29.30 	conservation easements must be provided as 
29.31 	part of the final report.

29.32
29.33	(j) Wild Rice River Corridor Habitat 
Restoration
					
29.34 	$2,270,000 in the first year is to the 
29.35 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
29.36 	agreement with the Wild Rice Watershed 
30.1 	District to acquire land in fee and permanent 
30.2 	conservation easement and to `restore river 
30.3 	and related habitat in the Wild Rice River 
30.4 	corridor. A list of proposed acquisitions and 
30.5 	restorations must be provided as part of the 
30.6 	required accomplishment plan.

30.7
30.8	(k) Accelerated Prairie Restoration and 
Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase VII
					
30.9 	$4,880,000 in the first year is to the 
30.10 	commissioner of natural resources to 
30.11 	accelerate the restoration and enhancement 
30.12 	of prairie communities on wildlife 
30.13 	management areas, scientific and natural 
30.14 	areas, state forest land, and land under 
30.15 	native prairie bank easements. A list of 
30.16 	proposed land restorations and enhancements 
30.17 	must be provided as part of the required 
30.18 	accomplishment plan.

30.19	(l) Enhanced Public Land Grasslands - Phase II
					
30.20 	$1,120,000 in the first year is to the 
30.21 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
30.22 	agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance 
30.23 	and restore habitat on public lands. A list of 
30.24 	proposed land restorations and enhancements 
30.25 	must be provided as part of the final report.

30.26 	Sec. 5. Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 3, 
30.27 	is amended to read:

30.28	Subd. 3.Forests
 		12,634,000
		-0-

30.29	(a) Camp Ripley Partnership - Phase V
					
30.30 	$1,500,000 in the first year is to the 
30.31 	Board of Water and Soil Resources in 
30.32 	cooperation with the Morrison County Soil 
30.33 	and Water Conservation District to acquire 
30.34 	permanent conservation easements within 
31.1 	the boundaries of the Minnesota National 
31.2 	Guard Compatible Use Buffer to protect 
31.3 	forest wildlife habitat. Up to $55,000 is for 
31.4 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
31.5 	fund, as approved in the accomplishment 
31.6 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
31.7 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
31.8 	permanent conservation easements must be 
31.9 	provided as part of the final report.

31.10
31.11	(b) Southeast Minnesota Protection and 
Restoration - Phase III
					
31.12 	$2,910,000 in the first year is to the 
31.13 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
31.14 	agreement with The Nature Conservancy to 
31.15 	acquire land in fee for wildlife management 
31.16 	purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 
31.17 	86A.05, subdivision 8; to acquire land 
31.18 	in fee for scientific and natural areas 
31.19 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
31.20 	subdivision 5; for state forest purposes 
31.21 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
31.22 	subdivision 7; and to enhance grasslands, 
31.23 	forest, and savanna. A list of proposed 
31.24 	acquisitions must be provided as part of the 
31.25 	required accomplishment plan.

31.26
31.27	(c) Protecting Pinelands Sands Aquifer 
Forestlands - Phase II
					
31.28 	$2,180,000 in the first year is to the 
31.29 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
31.30 	forest lands in Cass, Hubbard, and Wadena 
31.31 	Counties for wildlife management purposes 
31.32 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, 
31.33 	subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee 
31.34 	for state forests under Minnesota Statutes, 
31.35 	section 86A.05, subdivision 7. A list of 
32.1 	proposed land acquisitions must be provided 
32.2 	as part of the required accomplishment plan.

32.3
32.4	(d) Protect Key Forest Lands in Cass County 
- Phase VI
					
32.5 	$442,000 in the first year is to the 
32.6 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
32.7 	agreement with Cass County to acquire land 
32.8 	in fee in Cass County for forest wildlife 
32.9 	habitat or to prevent forest fragmentation. 
32.10 	A list of proposed land acquisitions 
32.11 	must be provided as part of the required 
32.12 	accomplishment plan.

32.13
32.14	(e) Critical Shoreland Protection Program - 
Phase III
					
32.15 	$1,690,000 in the first year is to the 
32.16 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
32.17 	agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to 
32.18 	acquire permanent conservation easements 
32.19 	along rivers and lakes in the northern 
32.20 	forest region. Up to $220,000 is for 
32.21 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
32.22 	fund, as approved in the accomplishment 
32.23 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
32.24 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
32.25 	proposed permanent conservation easements 
32.26 	must be provided as part of the required 
32.27 	accomplishment plan. 

32.28	(f) Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Partnership
					
32.29 	$3,002,000 in the first year is to the 
32.30 	commissioner of natural resources to 
32.31 	acquire lands in fee and for permanent 
32.32 	conservation easements in the Mississippi 
32.33 	Headwaters and for agreements as follows: 
32.34 	$1,217,000 to The Trust for Public Land; 
32.35 	and $824,000 to Minnesota Land Trust, 
33.1 	of which up to $80,000 is for establishing 
33.2 	a monitoring and enforcement fund as 
33.3 	approved in the accomplishment plan and 
33.4 	subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 
33.5 	97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed 
33.6 	acquisitions must be included as part of the 
33.7 	required accomplishment plan.

33.8	(g) Southeast Forest Habitat Enhancement
					
33.9 	$910,000 in the first year is to the 
33.10 	commissioner of natural resources to 
33.11 	enhance forests in southeastern Minnesota. 
33.12 	A list of proposed land enhancements 
33.13 	must be provided as part of the required 
33.14 	accomplishment plan.

33.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from July 1, 2015.

33.16 	Sec. 6. Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, 
33.17 	is amended to read:

33.18	Subd. 5.Habitats
 		22,368,000
		-0-

33.19	(a) DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase VII
					
33.20 	$4,540,000 in the first year is to the 
33.21 	commissioner of natural resources to acquire 
33.22 	interests in land in fee and permanent 
33.23 	conservation easements for aquatic 
33.24 	management purposes under Minnesota 
33.25 	Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, 
33.26 	and 97C.02, to acquire interests in land in 
33.27 	permanent conservation easements for fish 
33.28 	and wildlife habitat under Minnesota Statutes, 
33.29 	section 84.66, and to restore and enhance 
33.30 	aquatic habitat. Up to $130,000 is for 
33.31 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
33.32 	fund as approved in the accomplishment 
33.33 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
34.1 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
34.2 	proposed land acquisitions and restorations 
34.3 	and enhancements must be provided as part 
34.4 	of the required accomplishment plan.

34.5	(b) Metro Big Rivers - Phase VI
					
34.6 	$2,000,000 in the first year is to the 
34.7 	commissioner of natural resources for 
34.8 	agreements to acquire land in fee and in 
34.9 	permanent conservation easements and 
34.10 	to restore and enhance natural systems 
34.11 	associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, 
34.12 	and St. Croix Rivers as follows: $475,000 to 
34.13 	Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge 
34.14 	Trust, Inc.; $275,000 to Friends of the 
34.15 	Mississippi River; $400,000 to Great River 
34.16 	Greening; $375,000 to Minnesota Land Trust; 
34.17 	and $475,000 to The Trust for Public Land. 
34.18 	Up to $60,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for 
34.19 	establishing a monitoring and enforcement 
34.20 	fund as approved in the accomplishment 
34.21 	plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
34.22 	section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of 
34.23 	proposed land acquisitions and permanent 
34.24 	conservation easements must be provided as 
34.25 	part of the required accomplishment plan.

34.26
34.27
34.28	(c) Minnesota Trout Unlimited Coldwater Fish 
Habitat Enhancement and Restoration - Phase 
VII
					
34.29 	$1,890,000 in the first year is to the 
34.30 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
34.31 	agreement with Minnesota Trout Unlimited 
34.32 	to restore and enhance habitat for trout 
34.33 	and other species in and along coldwater 
34.34 	rivers and streams in Minnesota. A list of 
34.35 	proposed restorations and enhancements 
35.1 	must be provided as part of the required 
35.2 	accomplishment plan.

35.3
35.4	(d) Lake Bemidji South Shore Restoration and 
Enhancement
					
35.5 	$1,650,000 in the first year is to the 
35.6 	commissioner of natural resources for 
35.7 	an agreement with the city of Bemidji to 
35.8 	restore and enhance fish habitat on Lake 
35.9 	Bemidji. A list of proposed restorations and 
35.10 	enhancements must be provided as part of 
35.11 	the required accomplishment plan.

35.12	(e) Sand Hill River Fish Passage
					
35.13 	$990,000 in the first year is to the 
35.14 	commissioner of natural resources for 
35.15 	an agreement with the Sand Hill River 
35.16 	Watershed District to restore fish habitat 
35.17 	in the Sand Hill River watershed. A list of 
35.18 	proposed restorations must be provided as 
35.19 	part of the required accomplishment plan.

35.20
35.21	(f) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat 
Restoration Program - Phase IV
					
35.22 	$2,414,000 in the first year is to the 
35.23 	commissioner of natural resources for 
35.24 	an agreement with the Shell Rock River 
35.25 	Watershed District to protect, restore, 
35.26 	and enhance aquatic habitat in the Shell 
35.27 	Rock River watershed. A list of proposed 
35.28 	acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements 
35.29 	must be provided as part of the required 
35.30 	accomplishment plan. 

35.31
35.32	(g) Lake Nokomis Integrated Habitat 
Enhancement
					
35.33 	$444,000 in the first year is to the 
35.34 	commissioner of natural resources for an 
35.35 	agreement with the Minneapolis Park and 
36.1 	Recreation Board to enhance aquatic habitat 
36.2 	on Lake Nokomis. A list of proposed 
36.3 	enhancements must be provided as part of 
36.4 	the required accomplishment plan.

36.5
36.6
36.7	(h) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant 
Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat - 
Phase VII
					
36.8 	$8,440,000 in the first year is to the 
36.9 	commissioner of natural resources for a 
36.10 	program to provide competitive, matching 
36.11 	grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, 
36.12 	state, and national organizations for 
36.13 	enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, 
36.14 	wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, 
36.15 	or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, 
36.16 	$3,692,000 is for grants in the seven-county 
36.17 	metropolitan area and cities with a population 
36.18 	of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made 
36.19 	for activities required to fulfill the duties 
36.20 	of owners of lands subject to conservation 
36.21 	easements. Grants shall not be made from the 
36.22 	appropriation in this paragraph for projects 
36.23 	that have a total project cost exceeding 
36.24 	$575,000. Of this appropriation, $596,000 
36.25 	may be spent for personnel costs and other 
36.26 	direct and necessary administrative costs. 
36.27 	Grantees may acquire land or interests in 
36.28 	land. Easements must be permanent. Grants 
36.29 	may not be used to establish easement 
36.30 	stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee 
36.31 	must be open to hunting and fishing during 
36.32 	the open season unless otherwise provided 
36.33 	by law. The program must require a match 
36.34 	of at least ten percent from nonstate sources 
36.35 	for all grants. The match may be cash or 
36.36 	in-kind resources. For grant applications 
37.1 	of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall 
37.2 	provide a separate, simplified application 
37.3 	process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the 
37.4 	commissioner of natural resources shall, 
37.5 	when evaluating projects of equal value, 
37.6 	give priority to organizations that have a 
37.7 	history of receiving or a charter to receive 
37.8 	private contributions for local conservation 
37.9 	or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a 
37.10 	conservation easement, priority must be 
37.11 	given to projects associated with or within 
37.12 	one mile of existing wildlife management 
37.13 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 
37.14 	86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural 
37.15 	areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
37.16 	84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic 
37.17 	management areas under Minnesota Statutes, 
37.18 	sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. 
37.19 	All restoration or enhancement projects 
37.20 	must be on land permanently protected by 
37.21 	a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual 
37.22 	maintenance and protection of restored 
37.23 	and enhanced habitat, by a conservation 
37.24 	easement, or by public ownership or in 
37.25 	public waters as defined in Minnesota 
37.26 	Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 
37.27 	15. Priority must be given to restoration 
37.28 	and enhancement projects on public lands. 
37.29 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, 
37.30 	subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded 
37.31 	under this paragraph. This appropriation is 
37.32 	available until June 30, 2018 2019. No less 
37.33 	than five percent of the amount of each grant 
37.34 	must be held back from reimbursement until 
37.35 	the grant recipient has completed a grant 
37.36 	accomplishment report by the deadline and 
38.1 	in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to 
38.2 	the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. 
38.3 	The commissioner shall provide notice of 
38.4 	the grant program in the game and fish law 
38.5 	summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, 
38.6 	section 97A.051, subdivision 2.