Bill > SF2438

This bill appropriates over $1.7 billion to state agencies for environment and natural resources programs for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, and modifies various environmental and natural resources provisions. * **Pollution Control Agency:** Receives appropriations totaling $569,223,000 for various programs, including environmental analysis, industrial and municipal pollution control, remediation, and watershed management. Major allocations include $194,236,000 for Environmental Analysis and Outcomes, $64,861,000 for Industrial programs, $21,761,000 for Municipal programs, $56,264,000 for Remediation, and $22,445,000 for Watershed programs. Significant portions are directed towards a local government water infrastructure grant program ($173,511,000), PFAS reduction efforts ($15,103,000), and research on innovative technologies for taconite facilities ($19,100,000). * **Department of Natural Resources:** Receives appropriations totaling $907,127,000 for various programs, including land and mineral resources management, ecological and water resources, forest management, parks and trails, and enforcement. Key appropriations include $24,311,000 for Land and Mineral Resources Management, $89,728,000 for Ecological and Water Resources, $141,992,000 for Forest Management, $208,107,000 for Parks and Trails Management, and $126,490,000 for Enforcement. A significant one-time appropriation of $118,000,000 is for modernizing outdoor recreation experiences. * **Board of Water and Soil Resources:** Receives appropriations totaling $117,720,000 for soil and water conservation programs, including grants to soil and water conservation districts ($6,232,000), wetland conservation programs ($1,522,000), and various soil health and conservation easement initiatives ($33,360,000 for soil health, $16,370,000 for grasslands, $16,000,000 for peatlands, and $17,000,000 for water quality and storage practices). * **Metropolitan Council:** Receives $39,480,000 for regional parks and trails operations and maintenance, and for modernizing regional parks and trails ($10,000,000). * **Conservation Corps Minnesota:** Receives $1,890,000 for its programs. * **Zoological Board:** Receives $24,764,000 for operations and safety improvements at the Minnesota Zoo. * **Science Museum:** Receives $2,460,000 for its operations. The bill also includes various modifications to existing laws related to farmed Cervidae (deer), watercraft operator permits, turtle harvesting, conservation practices, pollution control, and the sale of state lands. Notably, it addresses chronic wasting disease in farmed deer, introduces new regulations for watercraft operation, modifies rules for turtle harvesting, and implements prohibitions on certain products containing PFAS chemicals.