HF2611 Summary

• Appropriates $107.8 million from the outdoor heritage fund for fiscal year 2017 across five categories: prairies ($31 million), forests ($16.3 million), wetlands ($31.1 million), habitats ($29.1 million), and administration ($275,000).

• Modifies the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council composition and operations, including changes to member appointment procedures and clarification that restoration and enhancement evaluations are mandatory.

• Adds new requirement that recipients acquiring land in fee title must follow local approval procedures under section 97A.145, subdivision 2, when land is intended for transfer to state or federal government.

• Modifies prior 2015 appropriations by redirecting funds from fiscal year 2016 to 2017 for prairies ($40.9 million reduction in first year), forests ($12.6 million reduction), and habitats ($22.4 million reduction).

• Establishes funding for 40+ specific habitat projects including land acquisition, conservation easements, and restoration work with partner organizations like Pheasants Forever, The Nature Conservancy, and Minnesota Land Trust.