Minnesota would fund habitat projects and change parks grant rules

The bill would set aside $191,081,000 from the outdoor heritage fund for named projects and agencies. The projects support prairie, forest, wetland, fish, and wildlife habitat across Minnesota, including grants for habitat work in the Twin Cities area and larger cities. Spending must follow a project plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. Competitive grants require at least a ten percent match from nonstate sources. Habitat work funded by grants must be on permanently protected land. The one-time appropriations are for fiscal year 2027, which ends June 30, 2027. Some project funds remain available longer.

The bill would change how Greater Minnesota parks and trails grants are recommended and reported. These provisions apply to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission and plans and projects outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Grant recommendations must follow approved plans and use a merit-based process that considers local financial support and the balance of benefits across Greater Minnesota. The bill does not state a separate start date for these changes.

The bill would authorize specified state and local agencies to acquire access easements, sell land, or transfer land. The provisions cover specified land in Becker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Redwood, St. Louis, Wabasha, and Washington Counties. For permanent stream easements, the payment formula includes the stream length and the estimated value of both the easement corridor and any access corridor. The land actions cover only the parcels described in the bill. Some require approval, at least appraised value, repayment of sale costs, or continued public use. The bill does not state a separate start date for these land actions.