Item Description:
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Agmt A2311966 with the State of MN to accept OHF grant for acquisition of conservation easements and habitat improvement projects, 11/02/23-06/30/27, $1,687,000 (recv)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement A2311966 with the State of Minnesota to accept the Outdoor Heritage Fund grant for acquisition of conservation easements and to complete habitat improvement projects, during the period November 2, 2023 through June 30, 2027, in the total receivable amount of $1,687,000 be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the County; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by the county for this program when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
In May 2016, the board approved the Hennepin County Natural Resources Strategic Plan and the Hennepin County Conservation Easement Program (Resolution 16-0144R2), which together established a framework to pursue conservation easements and criteria for evaluating conservation easement opportunities. A conservation easement is a set of development restrictions a landowner voluntarily places on their property to preserve the conservation value of the natural areas on the property. The landowner retains ownership of the land and continues to pay property taxes.
A memorandum of understanding between the county and the Minnesota Land Trust exists to identify, select, and complete conservation easements (Resolution 18-0359).
In partnership, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Land Trust have previously received a total of $4.7 million in two grants (2018 and 2020) for the acquisition of conservation easements and to support the improvement of habitat on permanently protected land. Of that amount, $460,000 has come directly to the county for habitat improvement projects. The remaining amount is granted directly to the Minnesota Land Trust from the Outdoor Heritage Fund to pay for conservation easements in Hennepin County. So far, using these first two grants, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Land Trust have placed conservation easements on 360 acres of the best remaining natural resources in Hennepin County, and worked to improve habitat on 235 acres of permanently protected land.
In May of 2022, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Land Trust requested a third grant of $12.3 million. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recommended, and the legislature appropriated, $4.649 million in additional funding to support continued acquisition of conservation easements and improvement of habitat. Of this amount, Hennepin County will be receiving $1,687,000 to support habitat improvement projects, a portion of the staff time associated with grant implementation, and associated support services.
As a match to the grant funding, the Environment and Energy Department is contributing a portion of the staff time associated with grant implementation and associated support services, as well as conservation easement stewardship fees.
Current Request: This request seeks approval of Agreement A2311966 with the State of Minnesota to accept a grant from the Outdoor Heritage Fund for acquisition of conservation easements and to complete habitat improvement projects, during the period November 2, 2023 through June 30, 2027, in the receivable amount of $1,687,000.
Impact/Outcomes: In partnership with the Minnesota Land Trust, this grant will allow Hennepin County to permanently preserve an estimated 246 additional acres of its most unique and important natural areas as well as restore and estimated 513 acres of natural areas and habitat on current and future easements. Efforts will focus on open spaces that contain and connect important natural areas like forests, prairies, savannas, lakes, streams, and wetlands with primarily native vegetation that have not been significantly altered by human activity since European settlement.
Habitat conservation programming is a key feature of the Climate Action Plan, which set a target of acquiring an additional 6,000 acres of conservation easement by 2040. The county has added 355 acres of conservation easements since 2018. With this grant, funding is in place to reach 730 acres (12% of our goal) by 2027. Intact natural systems and habitat have tremendous climate mitigation and adaptation benefits.
Fully protected and restored natural areas benefits the county and its residents by storing and sequestering carbon, facilitating groundwater recharge, aiding in stormwater management and flood control, protecting and improving air and water quality, providing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, and increasing the value of neighboring properties.
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Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval