HF2131 Summary

• Appropriates $69,522,000 from the outdoor heritage fund for fiscal year 2010 to the Commissioner of Natural Resources for environment and natural resources projects.

• Allocates funds across six main categories: Prairies ($14,213,000), Forests ($20,000,000), Wetlands ($20,836,000), Fish/Game/Wildlife Habitat ($13,903,000), Administration ($870,000), and other purposes.

• Requires all funded projects to use native Minnesota plant species, maintain permanent conservation easements, and submit accomplishment plans to the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council for approval.

• Establishes conditions for land acquisitions including permanent protection requirements, compliance with Minnesota statewide conservation plans, and public access for hunting and fishing during open seasons.

• Funds must be used for reimbursement basis starting November 1, 2009, with project completion and reporting deadlines of June 30, 2011, except for real property acquisitions which extend to June 30, 2012.