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| Date: | May 16, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Chris Van Guilder | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-1388 | | Contact Email: | christopher.vanguilder@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR MAGNUS HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS IN LEGACY BILL |
(ST. PAUL) – The Legacy Bill, which appropriates funds generated from the 2008 Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Act constitutional amendment, contains significant appropriations to the agriculture industry. The legislation appropriates $449.223 million over the next biennium to funds for Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. The bill passed the Senate on Thursday, May 12 with a vote of 52-14.
Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies Chair Doug Magnus (R-Slayton) stated, “It’s important to acknowledge the agriculture-specific appropriations within the Legacy Bill. Agriculture is one of the largest industries in our state, and the Legacy Amendment’s goals of clean water, a healthier environment and increased education are shared by the agriculture community. The provisions included in the Legacy Bill partner farmers and state departments with the necessary resources to improve our conservation and education efforts.”
The Clean Water Fund will appropriate $179.427 million to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect groundwater from degradation. Protecting Minnesota's waters is a joint effort between seven partner agencies, which collaborate on Minnesota's water resource management activities under the Clean Water Fund.
The Clean Water Fund includes the following agriculture-specific appropriations:
· $8.2 million in each year of the biennium to the Department of Agriculture to fund research, projects and other agricultural initiatives to improve water quality. Of this amount, $5 million each year is appropriated for the agriculture best management practices loan program.
· $1 million the first year for demonstration grants to ethanol plants for improvements that reuse storm water or wastewater.
“The Clean Water Fund recognizes the importance of preserving the integrity of our groundwater, provides funding for research, and encourages a number of best management practices initiatives. It’s important that policy-makers continue to work with state departments and the public to create lasting solutions to our environmental concerns,” Senator Magnus added.
The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund will appropriate $104.7 million to support arts, arts education and access, and to preserve Minnesota's history and cultural heritage.
The Senate version of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund includes a $1.4 million appropriation to the Department of Agriculture in each year of the biennium for distribution to county fairs to enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote Minnesota's history and cultural heritage.
Legacy dollars are also administered to the Outdoor Heritage Fund and the Parks and Trails Fund. The Outdoor Heritage Fund, at the discretion of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, provides annual recommendations for the restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. The Parks and Trails Fund allocates dollars to State, Metropolitan, and Regional Parks and Trails to enhance Minnesota’s nationally renowned trail system and wildlife habitat.
Differences between the Senate and House Legacy Bills will be resolved in a conference committee this week.
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