Bertram Chain of Lakes - Phase 1D

$8618000 the first year and $9033000 the second year are for grants for parks and trails of regional significance outside the seven-county metropolitan area under Minnesota Statutes section 85.535. The grants must be based on the recommendations to the commissioner from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission established under Minnesota Statutes section 85.536. The second year appropriation in this paragraph includes money for: a grant to the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority to design engineer acquire right-of-way and construct a segment of the Mesabi Trail from Embarrass to near the intersection of County Road 26 Whalston Road and Trunk Highway 135 toward Tower; and up to $400000 for a grant to the city of La Crescent to design engineer acquire right-of-way and construct a segment of the Wagon Wheel Trail. Grants funded under this paragraph must support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance that meet the applicable definitions and criteria for regional parks and trails contained in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan adopted by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on April 22 2015. Grant recipients identified under this paragraph must submit a grant application to the commissioner of natural resources. Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the commissioner for the actual cost of issuing and monitoring the grants for the commission. Of the amount appropriated $356000 in fiscal year 2016 and $362000 in fiscal year 2017 are for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to carry out its duties under Minnesota Statutes section 85.536 including the continued development of a statewide system plan for regional parks and trails outside the seven-county metropolitan area.