2003-08-14_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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2003 Legislative Update c®tiue c. The Problem Beaver Grant Program was eliminated in this legislation. d. The Minnesota River Area 2 received funding of $105,000 per year for floodplain management. e. Language delaying the North Ottawa Project in the Bois de Sioux Watershed District was eliminated from the final bill in conference committee to keep that project on schedule. f. BWSR was able to retain $1.5 million each year for local water planning. g. LCMR grants to Rice Creek Watershed District $800,000 for rehabilitation of Hardwood Creek, $205,000 for a biotic TMDL study of Hardwood Creek. Legislation authorizing the Clearwater River Watershed District to charge for sewer services was passed and signed by the governor. H.F 7, Special Session, Omnibus Taxes Bill - Reductions In Aid for Special Taxing Districts, 2003 & 2004 Imposed aid reductions for special taxing districts in 2003 equal to 1.5 percent of the district's certified levy for taxes payable in 2003, limited to the amount of the district's payable 2003 market value credit reimburse- ments. Imposed aid reductions for special taxing districts in 2004 equal to two percent of the district's certified levy for taxes payable in 2003, limited to the amount of the district's 2004 market value credit reimbursements. Levy Limits: We are uncertain as of this date if levy limits apply to watershed districts. When we get the final word we will circulate that information. eY' a atY'S a 1S t S Y' S s The Minnesota Department of Natural resources released 10 trumpeter swans in May at Wolf Lake, east of Windom, in celebration of "Wings on the Prairie Day". release was in Northwestern Minnesota. Hennepin Parks, now known as Three Rivers Parks District, had previously released swans in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. According to Steve Kittelson, DNR Trumpeter Swan Project leader, the swans were rounded up from their holding site at Three Rivers Parks District and taken to the Minnesota Zoo for health checks and banding. The birds are marked with aluminum leg bands and orange wing tags to help in tracking them after release. This is the ninth release sponsored by the North Heron Lake Game Producers and the Heron Lake Watershed District. The combined efforts of many agencies and organizations have resulted in a population of 1,500 individual birds and 150 nesting pairs in Minnesota, more than one-third of the Midwest population. In 1986, the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program began collecting swan eggs from Alaska and hatching them at the Carlos Avery Wildlife Refuge. The first DNR swan Today, trumpeter swans may be found statewide in areas where they have not been seen in more than 100 years.