Overview of Federal Funds for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
This overview outlines the federal funding authority granted to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support various conservation, outdoor recreation, and commercial resource management initiatives. The DNR receives federal funds through direct appropriations, standing authority, and grants listed in the Governor's Budget. These funds play a crucial role in supporting program areas such as non-game wildlife management, aquatic invasive species prevention, habitat restoration, forestry management, and outdoor recreation.
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Presentation Transcript
Federal Funds Overview Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner Mary Robison, Chief Financial Officer February 17, 2021 1
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) The Mission Work with Minnesotans to: Conserve and manage the state s natural resources, Provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and Provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life. 2
Federal Funding Authority DNR receives authority to spend federal funding in a variety of ways: Direct appropriations o Examples: Pittman / Robertson and Dingle / Johnson Standing authority o Examples: Reimbursement for fire-fighting activity in other states; disaster assistance from FEMA Authority granted through the Governor s budget or the Legislative Advisory Commission (LAC) o Examples: Grants listed in Federal Funds summary as part of the Governor s Budget 3/17/2025 3
History of Expenditure by Fund Federal Grants 5 Expenditures include open (e.g., fire, treaty, PILT) and pass-through (e.g., OHF, ENRTF) appropriations and grants (e.g., park and trail grants)
Federal Grants and the DNRs Budget Further the long-standing investments that Minnesota has made in its natural resources: support DNR s mission and programs across a variety of areas give additional dollars to local governments and partners work would lessen or end without federal funding 6
Program Areas Supported with Federal Dollars Non-game wildlife management Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) prevention Dam safety and flood mitigation Habitat restoration and management Forestry management and fire prevention Outdoor recreation 7
Coastal Zone Management Program ($2.3M for FY22-23) Purpose: Balance between economic development and resource protection within the coast zone of the state. Includes state and local projects. FTE: 4.5 FTE federally supported; additional 4.5 FTE match across 15 staff people State match: some matching dollars provided by pass-through grant recipients a variety of state dollars supporting 4.5 FTE in soft-match capital investments must remain in place for at least 20 years, but otherwise no maintenance of effort beyond the life of the grant 3/17/2025 8
State Wildlife Grants ($4.1M for FY22-23) Purpose: For the implementation and monitoring of the state s wildlife action plan. FTE: 17.5 FTE federal and state combined; two-thirds federal State match: Typically 35% state match. In FY20 this amount was $657,000. Sources of match in FY20: Non-game Wildlife Fund (35%) Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (32%) Outdoor Heritage (12%) Heritage Enhancement Fund (7%) Other revenues (14%) 9
Federal Agreements for Invasives ($1.8M for FY22-23) Purpose: Implementation of state plan for invasive species prevention, research, and monitoring. FTE: 1 FTE (unclassified) and one new canine State match: 25% match for $84,000 in FY21 mostly Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Fund, some General Fund supports 1-2 permanent FTE and supplies no maintenance of effort required except for posting of prevention signage 3/17/2025 10
Cooperating Technical Partners ($3.8M for FY22-23) Purpose: Increase local involvement in the production, development, and maintenance of digital flood insurance maps (DFIRMS) and develop non-regulatory products to help local governments reduce flood risk. FTE: 8 FTE federally funded State Match: None required 3/17/2025 11
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative ($17M for FY22-23) Purpose: To balance economic development and resource protection along the Great Lakes Basin. FTE: 1.3 FTE federal funded State match: GLRI consists of several grants within the same program, and state match requirements vary by grant $625,000 in matching dollars provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund for design and construction related costs, much of which has been spent 3/17/2025 12
Cooperative Forestry Assistance ($5.4M for FY22-23) Purpose: Variety of programs for forest stewardship on private and non-federal public land, including: wildfire prevention and suppression forest management tools and reimbursement for private landowners urban and Community Forestry FTE: 4.5 over 8 projects under the larger activity State Match: 1 to 1 match. State funds are a combination of General Fund for staff time, cost share from grantees. For fire-related activities, match is maintenance work and staff time from DNR s direct appropriation for fire response. 3/17/2025 13
Recreational Trail Grants Program ($5.7M for FY22-23) Purpose: To develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized, motorized and diversified recreational trail uses. FTE: 1 federally funded FTE State Match: DNR projects use Legacy, Bonding, and other non-General Fund dollars as 25% required state match local governments provide match from non-federal funds trails do require ongoing maintenance 3/17/2025 14
Federal Boating Safety ($7.4M in FY22-23) Purpose: Helps counties fund additional boating safety patrol hours on lakes and rivers in an effort to reduce accidents. Focuses on high-traffic water at times when use is highest. Supplemental grants fund safety equipment and navigation aids. FTE: 3.65 FTE federally funded State Match: grants go to local sheriffs, and no county match is required the state spends approximately $2.14M from the Water Recreation Account in the Natural Resources Fund each biennium 3/17/2025 15
Questions? Bob Meier, Assistant Commissioner Office: 651-259-5024 Email: bob.meier@state.mn.us Mary Robison, Chief Financial Officer Office: 651-259-5561 Email: mary.robison@state.mn.us 16
