Legacy committee hears $181 million in Outdoor Heritage Fund requests

Nearly 62,000 acres of wildlife habitat and more than 77 miles of shoreline could be funded for restoration, enhancement, or protection throughout Minnesota.

The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is requesting $180.7 million this year from the Outdoor Heritage Fund for 50 projects. About 25 conservation organizations signed a letter endorsing the council’s request to fund these projects.

It shared its list Wednesday with the House Legacy Finance Committee. No action was taken.

The Outdoor Heritage Fund is one of four funds financed by the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution.

In November 2008, voters approved a sales and use tax hike of three-eighths of 1% to pay for the amendment. The money collected from the 0.375% sales tax increase is distributed as follows: 33% to the Clean Water Fund; 33% to the Outdoor Heritage Fund; 19.75% to the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund; and 14.25% to the Parks and Trails Fund.

Established by the Legislature, the council provides annual recommendations on how to utilize the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Projects must relate to the restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and wildlife habitat. More than 400 projects have received financial support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, including restoration of the south shore of Lake Bemidji, the Stokman Wildlife Management Area, and the St. Louis Estuary.

The single largest project request — nearly $22.65 million — would allow the Minnesota Heritage Forest to continue transitioning to the Public Ownership Program. Nearly half of the 72,000-acre forest that spans 11 counties are in the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The land acquisition and transition will “preserve working forestlands, safeguard jobs, and help mitigate climate change.”