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, $...
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