HF80

Purpose

This bill would provide state funding to help landowners restore and create wetlands that qualify for wetland banking under the Wetland Conservation Act. The money would come from the general fund in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and would support a cost-sharing program run by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to enable wetland restoration and creation that aligns with the Wetland Conservation Act.

Main Provisions

• Creates a two-year allocation from the general fund (FY2026 and FY2027) to the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
• Establishes a cost-sharing program to assist landowners with restoring and creating sustainable wetlands that are eligible for wetland banking under the Wetland Conservation Act.
• Eligible grant activities:
  • Site assessment and evaluation
  • Engineering design and construction, including rerouting or removing drainage systems
  • Establishing vegetation
  • Costs to establish long-term easements on the wetland
• Wetlands supported by the program must be eligible for wetland banking under the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA), and the program operates under Minnesota Statutes sections 103G.222 and 103G.2251.

Funding and Administration

• Administered by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR).
• Funded from the general fund.
• Timeframe for funding: fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Relationship to Existing Law

• Works within the framework of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) and Minnesota Statutes 103G.222 and 103G.2251.
• Expands existing law by adding a dedicated, two-year cost-sharing program to support wetland restoration/creation and wetland banking.

Potential Impacts

• Encourages private landowners to participate in wetland restoration and creation.
• Supports long-term protection of restored wetlands through easements.
• Facilitates improvements in habitat, water quality, and flood mitigation through wetlands connected to wetland banking.

Relevant Terms wetlands; wetland banking; Wetland Conservation Act; WCA; Board of Water and Soil Resources; BWSR; general fund; cost-sharing program; landowners; site assessment; site evaluation; engineering design; drainage systems; vegetation establishment; long-term easements; Minnesota Statutes 103G.222; Minnesota Statutes 103G.2251; fiscal year 2026; fiscal year 2027