April 13, 2021 Senator Julie Rosen Chair, Senate Finance Committee Minnesota Senate Building, Room 2113 95 University Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55155 Senator Carrie Ruud Chair, Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee Minnesota Senate Building, Room 3233 95 University Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55155 Dear Chair Rosen and Chair Ruud: I am writing to supplement testimony given in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee regarding the Senate Omnibus Legacy Finance Bill, SF971 1st Engrossment. I would like to thank Chair Ruud and her committee for their work to assemble this bill, which includes many of DNR’s proposals. As you know, Minnesotans have been embracing outdoor activities and enjoying Minnesota’s natural resources in record numbers to manage stress and anxiety during the pandemic, and to find solace in nature. Given the clear value the public places on Minnesota’s natural resources and outdoor spaces the Legacy bill is more important than ever. The DNR relies on the constitutionally dedicated funds to provide long-lasting and visible benefits to the state and its people. The Legacy bill will provide for improved conservation of Minnesota’s natural resources and increased access to high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities. Outdoor Heritage Fund – Article 1 SF971 includes $23 million in Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations to help protect thousands of acres of public and private lands and restore or enhance tens of thousands more. Funding in the bill will deliver critical conservation outcomes and world-class recreational opportunities, while also supporting ecosystem benefits, working lands, public health and local economies. Projects are coordinated with willing landowners, rely on strong partner and local government relationships, and frequently leverage non-state funding. In addition to these benefits, another $10 million will support the Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant program. CPL grants encourage local conservation efforts, including offering small expedited and metro-area grants to provide opportunities to communities new to, or traditionally underserved by, conservation funding. DNR is supportive of Article 1. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | Commissioner’s Office Equal Opportunity Employer 500 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 This material is available in alternate formats. www.dnr.state.mn.us Clean Water Fund – Article 2 SF971 includes funding for many important clean water efforts. There are three items included in the Governor’s recommendation that have not been funded in the bill that we would like to bring to your attention. The first is funding for the analysis of fish contaminants, specifically per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds, which are increasingly showing up in the environment. PFAS compounds have been found in fish tissue, but the State of Minnesota does not have sufficient data or resources to provide comprehensive advice to Minnesotans who enjoy or rely on local fish as a food source. The second item is a proposed culvert modernization program to protect road infrastructure and improve water quality. This funding would provide cost-share and technical assistance to help local governments install appropriately sized culverts to benefit water quality and fish populations. The third item is full funding of DNR’s work to provide technical assistance to local units of government on non- point source water quality projects. The Senate Legacy bill reduces the amount of Clean Water Funds appropriated to DNR for this purpose by $600,000. DNR provides unique expertise in support of about 80 of these projects each year. The proposed reduction will significantly erode the DNR’s capacity to assist local governments and other partners in their efforts to protect and restore water quality at the local level. Parks and Trails Fund – Article 3 We appreciate the thoughtful attention you and committee members have given the Parks and Trails Fund proposals from DNR and our partners, the Metropolitan Council and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. The parks and trails portion of SF971 is consistent with the Governor’s recommendation, and DNR supports this article. The appropriations in Article 3 will advance the 25-year Parks and Trails Legacy Plan priorities to connect people to the outdoors, acquire land, create opportunities, and take care of what we have. A few highlights of this important work over the next biennium include: • Introducing 50,000 people to new outdoor activities through the I Can! and other skill-building programs; • Completing state park and recreation area development projects, such as trails at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and Glendalough State Park; • Advancing natural and cultural resource management work, such as restoring native plant communities, and manage invasive species at state parks and trails; and • Reconstructing campground shower buildings to address accessibility and other needs, addressing 4 to 6 trail bridge restoration projects, and rehabilitating up to 20 miles of state trails. Minnesotans are proud of our nationally-recognized outdoor recreations system, our hunting and angling opportunities, and the economic opportunities our tourism and natural resource based industries provide. With more Minnesotans appreciating and using our natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities, this is a critical time to be investing. Again, DNR thanks you for the inclusion of so many of our proposals in this bill. We are committed to working with the Senate to address the Clean Water Fund provisions outlined above. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you this year on the Legacy bill. 2 Sincerely, Sarah Strommen, Commissioner CC: Vice Chair Bill Ingebrigtsen, Finance Committee Vice Chair Bill Weber, Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee Ranking Minority Member Foung Hawj, Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee Ranking Minority Member John Marty, Senate Finance Committee Alexis Donath, Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan 3 .