Minnesota Legislature
2015 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Recommendations
For the FY 2016 and FY 2017 biennium (July 1, 2015 ‐ June 30, 2017), approximately $46.3 million is available each year (total = $92,674,000) for funding from Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. In response to the 2015 Request for Proposal (RFP) 152 proposals requesting a total of approximately $126.3 million were received. Through a competitive, multi‐step process, 76 of these proposals, requesting a total of $74.9 million, were chosen to present to the LCCMR and 65 of those proposals were selected to receive a recommendation for funding to the 2015 MN Legislature.The Legislature adopted 63 of these project recommendations and replaced two of them with two new project appropriations on 05/18/15. The project appropriations adopted by the Legislature were signed into law by the Governor on 05/22/15
LINKS TO:
- Print-ready PDF list of the M.L. 2015 projects adopted by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
- Summary of appropriations and expected outcomes
- Additional information on LCCMR's M.L. 2015 proposal and funding process
Viewing Proposals
- Click on the proposal ID # to view the full proposal.
- To find specific projects within the table you can use your browser's page-search function to search for a project by Project Manager 'Last Name', 'Project Title', or 'Organization'. In most browsers, the page-search function can be accessed under the browser's 'Edit' drop-down menu or by pressing 'Control+F' on a PC or 'Command+F' on a Mac.
| Topic Area | $ Appropriated ($46,383,000) |
Percentage of Total Appropriations |
|---|---|---|
| Subd. 03 Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information (19 Appropriations) |
$12,932,000 | 27.88% |
| Subd. 04 Water Resources (9 Appropriations) |
$3,065,000 | 6.61% |
| Subd. 05 Environmental Education (5 Appropriations) |
$1,004,000 | 2.16% |
| Subd. 06 Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species (3 Appropriations) |
$6,071,000 | 13.09% |
| Subd. 07 Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy (3 Appropriations) |
$2,268,000 | 4.89% |
| Subd. 08 Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat (11 Appropriations) |
$4,646,000 | 10.02% |
| Subd. 09 Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation (11 Appropriations) |
$14,190,000 | 30.59% |
| Subd. 10 Emerging Issues Account (1 Appropriation) |
$1,000,000 | 2.16% |
| Subd. 11 Administration and Contract Agreement Reimbursement (2 Appropriations) |
$1,207,000 | 2.60% |
| TOTAL $ Appropriated | $46,383,000 | 100% |
| Fund Source | $ Appropriated |
|---|---|
| FY 2016 - Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) | $46,324,000 |
| Great Lakes Protection Account (GLPA) | $59,000 |
| TOTAL $ APPROPRIATED | $46,383,000 |
*NOTE: Region of Impact designated in the State include Statewide, Central, Metro, NE, NW, SE, SW. Metro region includes the 11 counties of Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright.
| Subd. | ENRTF ID | Title | Total LCCMR $ Recommended |
LCCMR $ Recommended ENRTF: FY2016 |
LCCMR $ Recommended GLPA: FY2016 |
Organization | Project Manager |
Region of Impact* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subd. 03 Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information (19 Appropriations - Subtotal = $12,932,000 ) |
||||||||
| 03a | 001-A | County Geologic Atlases - Part A | $2,040,000 | $2,040,000 | $0 | U of MN - MN Geological Survey | ||
| 03b | 006-A | County Geologic Atlases - Part B | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 03c | 002-A | Minnesota Biological Survey | $2,450,000 | $2,450,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 03d | 005-A | Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas for Enhanced Natural Resource Management | $340,000 | $340,000 | $0 | U of MN - Bell Museum of Natural History | ||
| 03e | 003-A | Updating the National Wetland Inventory for Minnesota - Phase V | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 03f | 014-A | Creating a Statewide Wetland Bird Monitoring Program | $146,000 | $146,000 | $0 | Audubon Minnesota | ||
| 03g | 011-A | Minnesota Native Bee Atlas | $790,000 | $790,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 03h | 008-A | Reintroduction and Interpretation of Bison in Minnesota State Parks | $600,000 | $600,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 03i | 004-A | Endangered Bats, White-Nose Syndrome, and Forest Habitat | $1,250,000 | $1,250,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 03j | 007-A | Assessing Contaminants in Minnesota Loons and Pelicans - Phase III | $141,000 | $141,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 03k | 017-A | Movement and Seasonal Habitat Use of Minnesota Elk | $200,000 | $200,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 03l | 013-A | Genetic and Camera Techniques to Estimate Carnivore Populations | $200,000 | $200,000 | $0 | U of MN - Duluth NRRI | ||
| 03m | 016-A | Turtle Population Dynamics in an Urban Lake | $250,000 | $250,000 | $0 | University of St. Thomas | ||
| 03n | 031-A | Digitization of Historic Gullion Ruffed Grouse Research | $75,000 | $75,000 | $0 | Central Lakes College | ||
| 03o | 009-A | Effects of Grazing Versus Fire for Prairie Management | $414,000 | $414,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 03p | 010-A | Assessing Ecological Impact of St. Anthony Falls Lock Closure | $125,000 | $125,000 | $0 | Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership | ||
| 03q | 020-A | Foundational Dataset Characterizing Historic Forest Disturbance Impacts | $200,000 | $200,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 03r | 024-A | Hydrologic Effects of Contemporary Forest Practices in Minnesota | $150,000 | $150,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 03s | 018-A | Habitat Mitigation for Goblin Fern Conservation | $61,000 | $61,000 | $0 | Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe | ||
| Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information Subtotal = | $12,932,000 | $12,932,000 | $0 | |||||
| Subd. 04 Water Resources (9 Appropriations - Subtotal = $3,065,000 ) |
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| 04a | 033-B | Understanding Water Scarcity, Threats, and Values to Improve Management | $234,000 | $234,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 04b | 034-B | Biofilm Technology for Water Nutrient Removal | $281,000 | $281,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 04c | 036-B | Biological Consequences of Septic Pollution in Minnesota Lakes | $364,000 | $364,000 | $0 | St. Cloud State University | ||
| 04d | 035-B | Preventing Phosphorous from Entering Water Resources through Drain Tiles | $505,000 | $505,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 04e | 047-B | Southeast Minnesota Cover Crop and Soil Health Initiatives | $253,000 | $253,000 | $0 | Board of Water and Soil Resources | ||
| 04f | 037-B | Southeast Minnesota Subsurface Drainage Impacts on Groundwater Recharge | $488,000 | $488,000 | $0 | U.S. Geological Survey | ||
| 04g | 045-B | Using Hydroacoustics to Monitor Sediment in Minnesota Rivers | $455,000 | $455,000 | $0 | U.S. Geological Survey | ||
| 04h | 048-B | Assessment of Irrigation Efficiencies in Benton County | $431,000 | $431,000 | $0 | Benton Soil and Water Conservation District | ||
| 04i | 060-B | Shoreview Water Consumption and Groundwater Awareness Project | $54,000 | $54,000 | $0 | City of Shoreview | ||
| Water Resources Subtotal = | $3,065,000 | $3,065,000 | $0 | |||||
| Subd. 05 Environmental Education (5 Appropriations - Subtotal = $1,004,000 ) |
||||||||
| 05a | n/a | Trap Shooting Sports Facility Grants | $132,000 | $132,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 05b | 066-C | Connecting Students with Watersheds through Hands-On Learning | $400,000 | $400,000 | $0 | Minnesota Trout Unlimited | ||
| 05c | 067-C | Zumbro River Watershed Recreational Learning Stewardship Sites | $300,000 | $300,000 | $0 | Zumbro Watershed Partnership | ||
| 05d | 073-C | Students Engaging Local Watersheds Using Mobile Technologies | $147,000 | $147,000 | $0 | Twin Cities Public Television | ||
| 05e | 074-C | Mississippi River Water Journey Camps | $25,000 | $25,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| Environmental Education Subtotal = | $1,004,000 | $1,004,000 | $0 | |||||
| Subd. 06 Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species (4 Appropriations - Subtotal = $6,071,000 ) |
||||||||
| 06a | 081-D | Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Species Research Center | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 06b | 082-D | Emerald Ash Borer Ecological and Hydrological Impacts - Phase II | $400,000 | $400,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 06c | 083-D | Biological Control of Canada Thistle | $300,000 | $300,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 06d | 084-D | Preventing a New Disease of Pines in Minnesota | $371,000 | $371,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species Subtotal = | $6,071,000 | $6,071,000 | $0 | |||||
| Subd. 07 Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy (3 Appropriations - Subtotal = $2,268,000 ) |
||||||||
| 07a | 101-E | Renewable and Sustainable Fertilizers Produced Locally | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 07b | 110-E | Reducing Emissions from Open Burning through Biomass Gasification | $268,000 | $268,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| 07c | 116-E | Building Deconstruction to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Solid Waste | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | The NetWork for Better Futures d/b/a Better Futures Minnesota / NRRI | ||
| Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy Subtotal = | $2,268,000 | $2,268,000 | $0 | |||||
| Subd. 08 Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat (11 Appropriations - Subtotal = $4,646,000 ) |
||||||||
| 08a | 117-F | Prioritizing Future Management of North Shore Trout Streams | $416,000 | $357,000 | $59,000 | U of MN - NRRI | ||
| 08b | 118-F | Thirteen Counties Propagating Native Plants and Restoring Diverse Habitats | $495,000 | $495,000 | $0 | Martin County Soil and Water Conservation District | ||
| 08c | 119-F | Preserving and Protecting Minnesota Native Orchid Species | $167,000 | $167,000 | $0 | U of MN - Landscape Arboretum | ||
| 08d | 122-F | Acceleration of Minnesota Conservation Assistance - Final Phase | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | Board of Water and Soil Resources | ||
| 08e | 126-F | Metro Conservation Corridors Phase VIII - Prairie, Forest, and Savanna Restoration in Greater Metropolitan Area | $276,000 | $276,000 | $0 | Friends of the Mississippi River | ||
| 08f | 121-F | Metro Conservation Corridors Phase VIII - Enhancing Restoration Techniques for Improved Climate Resilience and Pollinator Conservation | $400,000 | $400,000 | $0 | Great River Greening | ||
| 08g | 123-F | Minnesota State University Moorhead Science Center Restoration and Monitoring | $527,000 | $527,000 | $0 | Moorhead State University | ||
| 08h | 127-F | Improving Community Forests Through Citizen Engagement | $800,000 | $800,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 08i | 128-F | Flood Recovery on Sargent Creek Duluth Habitat Restoration | $300,000 | $300,000 | $0 | City of Duluth | ||
| 08j | 129-F | Shoreland Protection for the Lower St. Croix River | $190,000 | $190,000 | $0 | St. Croix River Association | ||
| 08k | 135-F | Redwood and Renville Counties Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Master Plan | $75,000 | $75,000 | $0 | Redwood County and Renville County | ||
| Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat Subtotal = | $4,646,000 | $4,587,000 | $59,000 | |||||
| Subd. 09 Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation (11 Appropriations - Subtotal = $14,190,000 ) |
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| 09a | 139-G | State Parks and State Trails Land Acquisitions | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 09b | 136-G | Metropolitan Regional Park System Land Acquisition - Phase IV | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | Metropolitan Council | ||
| 09c | 137-G | SNA Acquisition, Restoration, Enhancement, and Public Engagement | $4,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 09d | 138-G | Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition | $3,325,000 | $3,325,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 09e | 145-G 148-G |
Metro Conservation Corridors Phase VIII - Coordination and Mapping and Conservation Easements | $515,000 | $515,000 | $0 | Minnesota Land Trust | ||
| 09f | 144-G | Metropolitan Conservation Corridors Phase VIII - Strategic Lands Protection | $750,000 | $750,000 | $0 | The Trust for Public Land | ||
| 09g | 141-G | Metro Conservation Corridors Phase VIII - Priority Expansion of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge | $500,000 | $500,000 | $0 | Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. | ||
| 09h | 143-G | Metro Conservation Corridors Phase VIII - Wildlife Management Area Acquisition | $400,000 | $400,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| 09i | 142-G | Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to Ely - Phase II | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority | ||
| 09j | 147-G | Multi-benefit Watershed Scale Conservation on North Central Lakes | $950,000 | $950,000 | $0 | Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation / BWSR | ||
| 09k | n/a | Conservation Easement Assessment and Valuation System Development | $250,000 | $250,000 | $0 | U of MN | ||
| Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation Subtotal = | $14,190,000 | $14,190,000 | $0 | |||||
| Subd. 10 Emerging Issues Account (1 Appropriation - Subtotal = $1,000,000 ) |
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| 10 | n/a | Emerging Issues Account | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) | ||
| Emerging Issues Account Subtotal = | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | |||||
| Subd. 11 Administration and Contract Agreement Reimbursement (2 Appropriations - Subtotal = $1,207,000 ) |
||||||||
| 11a | n/a | Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) | $1,072,000 | $1,072,000 | $0 | Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) | ||
| 11b | 152-H | Contract Agreement Reimbursement | $135,000 | $135,000 | $0 | MN DNR | ||
| Other Subtotal = | $1,207,000 | $1,207,000 | $0 | |||||
| Total $ Appropriated = | $46,383,000 | $46,324,000 | $59,000 | |||||