MN SF698

Appropriates $46,383,000 from the environment and natural resources trust fund for fiscal year 2016 across eight subdivisions covering natural resource data, water resources, environmental education, invasive species control, air quality/climate change, land/water/habitat protection, and land acquisition.

Establishes specific project funding for research, restoration, and conservation efforts including county geologic atlases ($4,040,000), Minnesota biological survey ($2,450,000), invasive species center ($5,000,000), and habitat restoration projects ($4,646,000).

Modifies the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) structure by changing "peer review panel" language to "peer reviewers" and making technical advisory committees optional rather than mandatory for the commission to appoint.

Requires funded projects to follow strict guidelines including work plan approval, native plant species use in restorations, ecological restoration and management plans, restoration evaluations at completion and three years post-completion, and public acknowledgment of trust fund support.

Extends deadlines for several prior appropriation projects to June 30, 2016-2019, and establishes an emerging issues account of $1,000,000 with $1,072,000 allocated for LCCMR administration.