HF1370

This bill appropriates funds from Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund and Parks and Trails Fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It includes one-time appropriations for various state agencies for activities related to water quality, conservation, environmental protection, parks, and recreation.

Article 1: Clean Water Fund

The bill allocates over $310 million ($155.35 million in FY 2026 and $155.39 million in FY 2027) for clean water initiatives, including: - Department of Agriculture: Monitoring pesticides, nitrate reduction efforts, best management practices for agriculture, agricultural demonstration grants, water quality certification, and conservation equipment assistance. - Pollution Control Agency: Water quality assessments, watershed restoration, groundwater monitoring, stormwater pollution control, and grants for wastewater treatment. - Department of Natural Resources: Streamflow and lake monitoring, mercury and fish contaminant assessments, watershed restoration, aquifer protection, and forestry management to protect water quality. - Board of Water and Soil Resources: Watershed-based plans, conservation easements, riparian protection, soil health practices, compliance with water runoff requirements, and support to local governments for water management programs. - Department of Health: Drinking water safety programs, well testing, contaminant monitoring, groundwater restoration, and public health education initiatives. - Metropolitan Council: Grants to support regional water sustainability projects, drinking water protection, stormwater reuse, and interregional water coordination. - University of Minnesota: Geological studies and performance evaluations of stormwater management techniques. - Public Facilities Authority: Grants and loans for wastewater treatment and drinking water infrastructure improvements.

Article 2: Parks and Trails Fund

The bill allocates $133.13 million ($65.29 million in FY 2026 and $67.84 million in FY 2027) to enhance parks and trails, including: - Department of Natural Resources: Funding for state parks, trails, and recreational areas; acquisition and maintenance of public lands; grant programs for regional parks outside the Twin Cities metropolitan region. - Metropolitan Council: Funding for Twin Cities regional parks and trails, with mandatory project approvals by elected local representatives. - Conservation Efforts: Encourages partnerships with Conservation Corps Minnesota for trail maintenance and ecological restoration. - Energy and Disability Access: Promotes renewable energy use in park infrastructure and increased accessibility for disabled park users.

The appropriations prioritize water quality improvement, sustainable land management, infrastructure improvements, environmental education, and equitable access to outdoor recreation while ensuring compliance with Minnesota's Legacy Amendment (Article XI, Section 15 of Minnesota’s Constitution).