HF4498 Summary

• Appropriates $64,155,000 ($2,768,000 for FY 2020 and $61,387,000 for FY 2021) from the environment and natural resources trust fund for various natural resource projects across Minnesota.

• Funds foundational data collection and monitoring including geologic atlases, ecological monitoring networks, and wolf predation studies to support resource management decisions.

• Supports water quality, habitat restoration, and invasive species control through research, removal techniques, and community forestry initiatives addressing emerald ash borer, invasive carp, and other threats.

• Provides environmental education, outreach, and technical assistance programs to engage Minnesotans in conservation, including youth programs and public television series.

• Funds land acquisition and recreation infrastructure including state parks, trails, regional parks, and recreation facilities, with specific projects such as Superior Hiking Trail enhancements and Mississippi River habitat restoration.