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October 25 , 2007
Dear Stewardship Fund supporter:
I want to thank everyone once again for their hard work on behalf of the Stewardship
Fund. Your hours of work have resulted in a very important and lasting
victory for conservation.
Here is an overview of the provisions related to the Stewardship in the
budget. We
understand that there may be some partial vetoes by the Governor and are waiting
to see the final signed version of the budget. We'll let you know
if there are any changes to the Stewardship portions of the budget. As
always, please contact me directly if you have further questions.
1) Bonding Level
Funding for the Stewardship program would increase to $86 million in
2011 – a 40% increase over the current funding level of $60 million a
year. While some of us would have liked to see a higher dollar
amount, we should not underestimate the significance of this increase. As
you all know, this year's budget negotiations were among the most contentious
in recent history. A funding increase of this magnitude in today's
political and fiscal climate reflects is really quite impressive and worthy
of celebration.
We are also hopeful that the Stewardship Fund will get another increase in
future years – just as when the Stewardship Fund was reauthorized in
1999 at $47 million and received another $13 million increase in 2001.
2) Grants to land trusts and local governments
 Under the budget agreement, the DNR would be required to set aside $12
million a year in matching grants to non-profit organizations starting
in 2011. Land trusts currently receive about $8 million a year in Stewardship
grants. The budget recognizes our important role as a conservation partner
to the state and increases our grant funding by 50%.
Local governments would be eligible for up to $11,500,000
a year. In addition, counties and county forests would be eligible
for additional funding under the land acquisition subprogram of Stewardship
for the first time.
In addition, the Natural Resources Board could authorize grants to
land trusts of up to 75% of the total acquisition costs of a project (as
opposed to the current 50%).
Finally, the budget raises the level at which the DNR is required to
get a second appraisal for grant projects from $200,000 to $350,000 or more (currently,
the DNR must get a second appraisal for all grant projects whose fair market
value is estimated to be over $200,000 which has caused a lot of unnecessary
delays for land trust and local government projects)
3) Legislative Oversight
The Joint Finance Committee will have oversight over all Stewardship
projects and grants over $750,00. The Committee will
have 14 days to raise an objection otherwise the project can go forward without
JFC approval. Unlike in previous years, objections must be made public
and five members, including one co-chair of the committee, will need to raise
the objection. Once an objection is raised, the committee will have 16
days to vote on the project. This is a major improvement over
previous years when projects could be delayed for months on end and objections
could be made anonymously by one member of the committee.
4) Public Access
The budget clarifies that lands purchased with Stewardship dollars be open
to hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation
unless it is necessary to close the property to protect public safety or unique
animal and plant communities or to accommodate other user patterns. This
requirement does not apply to conservation easements. The Department
will need to write rules on access, and we will be actively involved in the
rule-making process to ensure that land trusts' interests are taken into
account in the rules.
The agreement also requires that signs be posted at major entrances to Stewardship
lands listing either the allowable or prohibited uses of the property.
The DNR will determine how much detail needs to be on the signs. Easements
and the Ice Age Trail, which already is well-signed as a national scenic trail,
are exempt from this requirement.
The Future
As you can see, a lot of what's in the budget regarding Stewardship will
need to be clarified in Administrative Rule. We recognize that more works
need to be done and anticipate being actively involved in the rule-making process,
and hope that you all will be too!
Thanks again!
Vicki
If you have any questions or need extra assistance,
please contact Vicki Elkin at 608-441-8819 or stewardship [at] gatheringwaters.org.
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