MeCC VII - 3.3: Priority Expansion of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Project Details by Fiscal Year
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2013
End Date
June 2017
Counties Affected
Carver
Hennepin
Le Sueur
Scott
Sibley
Carver
Hennepin
Le Sueur
Scott
Sibley
Project Overview

The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust is using this appropriation to purchase a total of approximately 100 acres of land and donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Many benefits are anticipated from this project, including improved habitat connectivity, protection of native species, improved water quality in the Minnesota River, and increased public access to natural lands for activities such as hiking, hunting, and fishing. Restoration and management plans will be completed for all acquired lands.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013, Chp. 52, Sec. 2, Subd. 04d3.3
Appropriation Language

$2,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $10,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $1,990,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements as follows: $304,000 with Friends of the Mississippi River; $368,000 with Dakota County; $208,000 with Great River Greening; $310,000 with Minnesota Land Trust; $400,000 with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; and $400,000 with the Trust for Public Land for planning, restoring, and protecting priority natural areas in the metropolitan area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding counties, through contracted services, technical assistance, conservation easements, and fee title acquisition. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. Expenditures are limited to the identified project corridor areas as defined in the work plan. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of habitable residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work plan. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work plan. Lands that would require payments in lieu of taxes under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.061 or 477A.12, shall not be acquired with money from this appropriation. Up to $54,000 is for use by Minnesota Land Trust in a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the work plan and subject to subdivision 16. An entity that acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement. Money appropriated from the trust fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring, management, and enforcement fund as approved in the work plan. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$400,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.01
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Description of Funds
ENRTF
Project Manager
First Name
Deborah
Last Name
Loon
Organization Name
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc
Street Address
2312 Seabury Ave
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Zip Code
55406
Phone
(612) 801-1935
Email
dloon@mnvalleytrust.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency