Bill Text: MN HF949 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Consolidated conservation land drainage projects undertaken by local drainage authorities participation and payment of assessments required.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-21 - Author added Erickson, R. [HF949 Detail]

Download: Minnesota-2013-HF949-Introduced.html

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A bill for an act

relating to natural resources; requiring participation and payment of assessments
for consolidated conservation land drainage projects undertaken by local drainage
authorities;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84A.55, subdivision 9.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84A.55, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
    Subd. 9. Drainage. The commissioner may make necessary investigations and
surveys for and may undertake projects for the drainage of state-owned lands within a game
preserve, conservation area, or other area subject to this section so far as the commissioner
determines that the lands will benefit from the project for the purposes for which the area
was established. The commissioner may pay the cost of drainage projects out of funds
appropriated and available for them. If the commissioner finds after investigation that The
commissioner shall participate in a project for the construction, repair, or improvement
of a public ditch or ditch system undertaken by a county or other public agency as
otherwise provided by law will benefit the lands for those purposes,. The commissioner
may shall cooperate in the project by joining in the petition for the project or consenting
to or approving it on any conditions the commissioner determines. The commissioner
shall authorize the imposition of pay the assessments for the projects on the lands in
any amounts the commissioner determines, or may make lump-sum contributions to the
county or other public funds established for the payment of the cost of the project. The
assessments or contributions must not exceed the value of benefits to the state-owned lands
as determined by the commissioner and specified by written certificates or other statement
filed in the proceedings the amounts necessary to cover the assessments determined by the
county or other public agency. The commissioner may appeal the assessments as provided
under chapters 103D and 103E. Assessments or contributions are payable only out of
funds appropriated and available for them in amounts the commissioner determines. The
commissioner of natural resources shall establish by rule before January 1, 1986, the criteria
for determining benefits to state-owned lands held or used to protect or propagate wildlife,
provide hunting or fishing for the public, or serve other purposes relating to conservation,
development, or use of soil, water, forests, wild animals, or related natural resources.