Conservation districts need dedicated funding

A bill introduced recently in the Minnesota House of Representatives would provide “stable and consistent” funding for Minnsota’s soil and water conservation districts.

We’re hopeful it gets out of committee this session and moves forward into law.  The bill would use General Fund money to establish a new $22 million aid program for the state’s 88 soil and water conservation districts. A few weeks ago, the House Property Tax Division laid the bill over for possible consideration in the division’s report to the House Taxes Committee.

Soil and water conservation district staff work primarily with private landowners on voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. They do important work in the state, but adequate funding has been an issue.

According to a report by Rob Hubbard in Minnesota Session Daily, here’s how the bill’s $22 million annual outlay would be distributed,

•70% equally among all districts;

•20% according to each district’s proportional share of nonpublic land; and

•10% based on each district’s population.

The provision would be effective beginning with aids payable in 2023, it was stated.

“District by district, they’re starved for resources,” said Rep. Liz Reyer (DFL-Eagan) who authored the bill. “They’re scrambling. They’re losing people. That 70% is going to raise all boats. It’s going to give them the stability that they need. The ability to attract and retain the talent that has built trusted relationships in their communities.”

There is at least one district in each of Minnesota’s 87 counties, except for Hennepin and Ramsey. Three of the state’s larger counties have two districts: Otter Tail, Polk and St. Louis. Hennepin and Ramsey counties have special legislative authority to carry out soil and water conservation district functions and would therefore be included in aid payments.

“Our staff and elected board members are able to help landowners work through conservation programs from start to finish,” said Chuck Rau, president of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. “State funding over the past several years, however, has been a struggle.

“The funding proposed would provide a more efficient, predictable and longer-term funding mechanism, allowing SWCDs across the state to support implementation of conservation projects,” Rau added.  “This new path would also allow us to more adequately leverage federal conservation resources.”

The bill is based on sound reasoning and is important to our natural resources, especially our water.  It should move forward with bipartisan support.–TJD