MN HF434

Allows the Board of Water and Soil Resources to use wetland replacement credits from one service area to meet obligations for projects in another service area until adequate credits are available in all service areas for existing public roads.

Exempts wetland draining or filling from replacement requirements when authorized by a general permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act and compensatory mitigation is not required.

Appropriates $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire wetland banking credits for replacing wetlands affected by repairing, reconstructing, replacing, or rehabilitating existing public roads, available until June 30, 2019.

Appropriates $1,696,000 in fiscal year 2017 for fire remediation grants: $1,400,000 to the city of Madelia and $296,000 to Watonwan County for effects of the February 3, 2016 fires, available until June 30, 2018.

Grant funds may be used for disaster recovery, infrastructure, emergency personnel costs, equipment costs, and property tax abatement reimbursements incurred by public or private entities as a result of the fires.