H.F. 3867 Summary

• Appropriates $2,269,000 for fiscal year 2016 and $9,367,000 for fiscal year 2017 to the Department of Natural Resources from the general fund and other named funds.

• Allocates funds for ecological and water resources ($1,500,000 FY2017 for Pineland Sands aquifer irrigation study), parks and trails management ($5,300,000 FY2017), fish and wildlife management ($197,000 FY2017), enforcement ($670,000 FY2016 for aviation services), and operations support ($1,599,000 FY2016 and $2,370,000 FY2017 for NorthMet mining project legal costs).

• Exempts residents under age 18 and tribal band members with valid tribal identification cards from wild rice harvesting license requirements; residents under 18 must be accompanied by a licensed harvester.

• Modifies prior Parks and Trails Management appropriations from Laws 2015, establishing a base of $46,450,000 for fiscal year 2018 and thereafter, with specific allocations for snowmobile trails, off-highway vehicles, cross-country skiing, and various trail and recreation projects.