Today, we submitted the following letter to both the Senate and House Capitol Investment committees. Over the weekend, the Minnesota Legislature released its funding proposal for critical infrastructure and community projects, known as bonding or capital investments. We will advocate for the addition of the provisions as the bill continues through the legislative process.
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April 30, 2024
Chair Lee and Members of the House Capital Investment Committee:
Conservation Minnesota thanks you for the strong investments proposed for protecting Minnesota’s environment and climate in this year’s bonding bill—and we encourage the committee to consider several more key investments.
The proposed bonding bill before the committee contains several key provisions, including:
- $47 million for helping communities build clean water infrastructure
- $65.5 million to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for major repairs and renovations to buildings, roads, trails, public water access points, and more
- $10 million to the Emerging Contaminants Grant Program to help remove PFAS and other manmade contaminants from drinking water supplies across the state, which will help ensure clean water for communities at the greatest risk of exposure to these harmful chemicals
However, the current package lacks some requests from Governor Walz’s recommendations which we believe are needed to ensure every Minnesotan has access to clean drinking water and outdoors opportunities. Among others, the following items should be included:
- $10 million for the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, a continuation of last year’s historic investment to provide clean drinking water to families across Minnesota
- An additional $34 million needed for drinking and clean water infrastructure projects in all parts of the state
- $2 million to develop local and regional parks and trails across the state, increasing opportunities for Minnesotans everywhere to enjoy the Great Outdoors wherever they live
As you progress through the bonding process, we believe that protecting and preserving our environment and ensuring clean water and outdoors opportunities for all should be of the highest priority.
Sincerely,