MN SF2711

Establishes a Working Lands Watershed Restoration Program administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources to incentivize establishment and maintenance of perennial crops on agricultural land.

Eligible land must have been in agricultural use for annual crop production or enrolled in federal/state conservation programs for at least two of the last five years, and cannot currently be enrolled in another government program.

Contract terms include payment rates of no more than 90 percent of the most recent federal conservation reserve program payment for the county, minimum ten-year duration, and allowance for perennial crops to be used by biomass processing facilities or for livestock feed.

Allows Board to select up to two pilot watersheds with up to 100,000 total acres that have completed watershed restoration strategies, multiple water quality impairments, viable biomass processing facilities, and sufficient cropland available.

Appropriates $479,000 in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for developing a detailed implementation plan, with interim report due October 15, 2017 and final plan due February 1, 2018.