S.F. No. 2688 Summary

• Appropriates $113,923,000 from the outdoor heritage fund for fiscal year 2019 to the Commissioner of Natural Resources and Board of Water and Soil Resources for land acquisition, restoration, and habitat enhancement

• 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)

• Funds numerous partnership agreements with conservation organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and Minnesota Land Trust for acquiring lands in fee and conservation easements

• Establishes competitive grant program providing up to $400,000 per grant to local and national organizations for habitat enhancement, restoration, and protection projects, with $2,567,000 reserved for seven-county metropolitan area

• Sets fund availability until June 30, 2021 for most activities, with extended timelines through 2022 for real property acquisitions and through 2023 for restoration work