HF2789 Summary

• Appropriates $113,923,000 from the outdoor heritage fund for fiscal year 2019 to acquire and restore wildlife habitat, prairies, forests, wetlands, and natural areas across Minnesota.

• Allocates funds across five major categories: Prairies ($35,288,000), Forests ($9,131,000), Wetlands ($28,116,000), Habitats ($40,978,000), and Administration ($410,000).

• Requires nongovernmental organizations to notify county and town boards in writing before submitting proposals for fee title land acquisition using outdoor heritage fund money, and allows local boards to provide supporting or opposing resolutions.

• Establishes funding for numerous specific habitat projects including agreements with conservation organizations like The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever for land acquisition and restoration.

• Sets spending availability periods: general funds available until June 30, 2021; real property acquisitions available until June 30, 2022 if binding agreement reached by 2021; restoration funds available until June 30, 2023 or five years after acquisition.