SF1376

The bill S.F. No. 1376 is a legislative proposal seeking to finance flood prevention and mitigation efforts in the Red River Basin through the allocation of state funds and the authorization of state bond sales. Specifically, it proposes:

1. Allocating a total of $48,586,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Minnesota Commissioner of Natural Resources. This funding will support flood hazard mitigation grants for publicly owned infrastructure aimed at reducing flood damage and enhancing natural resources in the Red River Basin.

2. The proposed grants include specific funding allocations for various projects within the region:

   • $2,000,000 for a flood prevention project to remove Newfolden from the 100-year floodplain.
   • $13,748,000 for the Mustinka River Rehabilitation and Redpath Impoundment Project.
   • $9,000,000 for the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation project.
   • $2,000,000 for improving water storage and control at Nelson Slough/JD 19.
   • $17,338,000 for the Klondike Clean Water Retention Project (Phases 1 to 3).
   • $4,500,000 for planning and design steps related to the Whitney Lake retention project.

3. It also specifies that a grant can cover up to 75% of the cost of approved flood mitigation measures in line with existing agreements.

4. The bill outlines conditions for local financial contributions, stating that local efforts related to flood handling count towards their contributions.

5. To fund these initiatives, the bill authorizes the Department of Management and Budget to sell and issue state bonds worth up to the total appropriated amount, following established legal and constitutional procedures.

In essence, this bill is about securing and using state funds and bonds to support extensive flood mitigation projects in the Red River Basin, aiming to safeguard the area against potential flood damage and improve its natural resource management.