Outdoor Heritage Fund monies allocated, extensions given for other Legacy projects

Those participating in projects that receive funding from the Legacy Amendment are receiving one- to two-year extensions on their deadlines. And various conservation projects around the state will receive $117.9 million from the Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of Legacy appropriations for fiscal year 2021.

Sponsored by Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul) and Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point), the omnibus legacy law took effect May 28, 2020.

The allocations are funded by the Legacy Amendment, which voters approved in 2008 to maintain a source of funding for clean water, conservation, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage projects via a 0.375% addition to the state sales tax.

Most of the funds under the Legacy Amendment umbrella were budgeted during the 2019 legislative session. But the Outdoor Heritage Fund, which receives one-third of Legacy monies, is funded on an annual basis, as opposed to the biennial allocations of money from the Clean Water Fund, the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and the Parks and Trails Fund.

The deadline extensions inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and its resultant restrictions are two years for Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund projects approved in 2017, one year for Clean Water Fund and Parks and Trails Fund projects set to expire June 30, 2020, and one year for Outdoor Heritage Fund projects set to expire June 30, 2020 if certain notification and other requirements are met.

The law also appropriates funds for the Rochester Children’s Museum and the Medal of Honor Commemorative Memorial, and extends into 2021 the availability of General Fund money to assist State Arts Board administration in moving its offices.

Its $117.9 million in Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations – which were based upon the recommendations of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council -- break down as follows:

• $55.4 million for habitat projects and the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant program;

• $35.8 million for prairie projects;

• $13.7 million for forest projects;

• $12.6 million for wetland projects; and

• $360,000 for administration, including contract management services from the Department of Natural Resources and restoration evaluations.

Its largest appropriations are $10.4 million for competitive matching grants for organizations enhancing, restoring and protecting forests, prairies, wetlands or wildlife habitat; $6.5 million to acquire lands and restore natural habitat systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix rivers in the Twin Cities metropolitan area; and $4.6 million to acquire, restore and enhance prairie lands, wetlands, and land buffering shallow lakes.

The law also requires Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council meetings to be webcast and archived.

HF2682*/SF2732/CH104

HF2682* / SF2732 / CH104