SF2527 Summary

• Outdoor Heritage Fund Appropriation: $109.8 million appropriated for fiscal year 2017 for prairie protection, forest conservation, wetland habitat, and species habitat projects through various partnerships and land acquisitions.

• Clean Water Fund Modifications: Adjusts appropriations across multiple state agencies (Agriculture, Pollution Control Agency, DNR, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Health) for water quality monitoring, TMDL studies, groundwater protection, and riparian buffer restoration.

• White Bear Lake Project: Authorizes $150,000 for design-build proposals to pipe water from Vadnais Lake to White Bear Lake, with requirements for water quality protections and agreement with affected municipalities before construction proceeds.

• Legacy Fund Governance Changes: Modifies accountability requirements for Parks and Trails Fund and Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund recipients, including measurable outcome reporting, compliance tracking, and eligibility restrictions for non-compliant recipients.

• Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council Modifications: Clarifies council structure, membership appointments, and staff authorization; requires technical evaluation panels to conduct restoration and enhancement project evaluations.