DEPARTMENT: Parks, Facilities, and Fleet Management
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Submit Grant Applications To Legislative-Citizen Commission On Minnesota Resources Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize submission of grant applications to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) program for multiple projects identified in County plans, and authorize the County Manager, or their designee, to accept the grant(s) if awarded and execute the grant agreement.
SUMMARY
State voters approved a 1988 constitutional amendment establishing the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), in part, "for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources." The LCCMR makes ENRTF funding recommendations to the Minnesota (MN) Legislature for special environment and natural resource projects. The 2025 LCCMR Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on January 3, 2024, with approximately $90 million of ENRTF available from the lottery-generated proceeds through this RFP for projects beginning July 1, 2025. The application deadline is March 31, 2024. The following four projects have been identified and recommended for grant submissions:
* Thompson County Park: Natural Resources Restoration and Accessibility Improvements, including a pollinator promenade, stream restoration, and lake access.
* Lake Byllesby Regional Park: West Lake Byllesby Improvements, including Byllesby Bluff, Cannon River Cascades, trailheads, natural surface trails, and natural resources restoration.
* Spring Lake Park Reserve: Programming, Schematics, and Design Development of Bison Prairie Interpretive Center and two bison viewing platforms.
* Mill Towns State Trail/Future County Park Conservation Area: Waterford Bridge restoration, parking, river access, spur trail, interpretation, conservation easements, and natural area restoration.
RE...
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