Purpose

This bill would provide funding for forests and forestry projects by using state bond money. It authorizes the sale of bonds to pay for reforestation and related forest improvements on state-owned lands, and it specifies how much money can be spent and how the bond process should work.

Key Provisions

• Definitions
  • Reforestation: A process that includes natural or artificial forest regrowth and measures such as purchasing native seeds and native seedlings, planting, site preparation, and protection on state lands, in line with Minnesota policy.
  • State forest land: A defined set of state-owned forests. The bill lists 60 named state forests (for example Badoura, Battleground, Bear Island, Beltrami Island, Grand Portage, Lake of the Woods, White Earth, Whiteface River, and others).
• Funding for Reforestation (Subdivision 2)
  • An appropriation of 18,000,000 is provided from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of natural resources to support reforestation on state forest lands.
  • Of that amount, 8,000,000 may be used for forest stand improvement and management and for treatment of emerald ash borer and spruce budworm on state forest lands (under specific state laws 88.01 and 88.06).
• Bond Financing (Subdivision 3)
  • The money for these purposes will come from selling state bonds, up to 18,000,000.
  • Bond sale must follow relevant state laws and constitutional provisions (Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Administration and Oversight

• The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for carrying out the reforestation and related activities.
• The Commissioner of Management and Budget is responsible for selling and issuing the bonds, under the specified laws.

Scope and Affected Lands

• The bill applies to reforestation and related activities on state forest lands, as defined by the list of 60 named state forests included in the bill’s definitions.

Significance and Expected Impact

• This bill would increase funding and authorize bonding to support reforestation, forest health, and forest management efforts on state forest lands.
• It also adds a specific allocation for handling pests like the emerald ash borer and spruce budworm, aiming to protect and restore Minnesota’s forests.

Potential Implementation Notes

• Implementation would depend on the bond market and approvals under the referenced statutes and constitution.
• Projects would be directed by the DNR and funded via bond proceeds, with oversight consistent with Minnesota finance and natural resources laws.

Relevant Terms

reforestation, native seeds, native seedlings, forest stand improvement, emerald ash borer, spruce budworm, state forest land, Bond proceeds fund, bonds, Minnesota Statutes 16A.631-16A.675, Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4-7, Department of Natural Resources, Commissioner of Management and Budget, capital investment, reforestation policy, state forests list.