The Minnesota Senate on Monday approved final passage of a comprehensive, bipartisan Legacy Finance bill that provides key funding to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, the Clean Water Fund, the Parks and Trails Fund, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Included in this legislation is language that funds habitat protection and restoration of the Sauk River Watershed.

The Legacy Finance bill funded a number of habitats throughout the State and affords the Sauk River project $4 million to restore and enhance wildlife habitat throughout the Sauk River watershed. The Minnesota House also passed the bill with broad bipartisan support. The Legacy budget now heads to the Governor’s desk for a final signature.

“I’m very happy to see funding for the Sauk River Watershed included in the final Legacy budget,” said Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville). “The Sauk River is a treasured tributary that Minnesotans enjoy every Summer, and this key funding will maintain and conserve the waterway for future use, while also restoring and enhancing the wildlife habitats around the area. This funding allows us to preserve the waterway for generations to come!”

Additionally, the Environment budget also included grants for rural landowners to replace any failing septic systems that are currently inadequately protecting groundwater. These grants are awarded based on income guidelines. This provision will aid in protecting groundwater and local water sources.

The Senate on Thursday also unanimously passed a comprehensive Transportation Budget that invests in the state’s transportation infrastructure and focuses emphasis on funding roads and bridges. The legislation includes language that provides $18 million in funding for the Small Cities Assistance program. Created in 2015, this program provides funding for construction and maintenance of roadways in cities with populations less than 5,000 people.

“This is a great use of our transportation funds,” continued Howe. “Oftentimes, these smaller cities get left out of funding that typically gets allocated to bigger cities. I strongly support this funding because is targets cities that do not receive municipal state-aid street funding, but still have a need for maintaining their roads. This funding will benefit our small cities and anyone who travels through them.”

Both the Legacy and Transportation bills passed the Senate. Their last stop will be the Governor’s desk for a final signature.