The Minnesota Senate today passed a comprehensive environment and natural resources bill to support Minnesota’s critical environmental priorities. The bill, S.F. 4062, supports recycling, helps grow Minnesota’s outdoor economy, and provides for commonsense regulatory reform. The legislation includes Senator Mark Johnson’s (R-East Grand Forks) provision to appropriate dedicated Natural Resources trail funding to resurface 13 miles of trail between Warroad and Roseau. 

“Protecting our state’s outdoor heritage is fundamentally important,” Johnson said.“Our legislation works to get people outside enjoying Minnesota’s rich natural resources. This includes my provision for funding trail resurfacing in Northwest Minnesota. Our collaboration between the cities, the county, and the state will hopefully get this funding across the finish line. Being a champion for local projects and local resources along with combatting unnecessary regulation is critical to my job as a legislator.”       

Some notable provisions include:  

• Funding for trail resurfacing for 13 miles of former railroad right-of-way between Roseau and Warroad
• Prohibition of the DNR to impose or require unadopted rules without first being adopted under Minnesota statutes  
• Establishment of a Mining Dashboard to improve the coordination, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of the environmental review and permitting process for metallic mineral mining projects 
• Increased funding for Score Grants to assist counties with solid waste and plastic removal costs to keep our lakes and rivers clean  
• Increased funding for Shooting Range Improvement Grants to increase outdoor shooting range capacity for youth shooters and the general public use  
• Increased tourism funding to secure revenue-generating events around the state to support local economies 
• Greater access for disabled Minnesotans by allowing them to use motor vehicles in wildlife management areas