SAINT PAUL, Minn. —
The Minnesota DNR has announced a plan for the $149.9 million the state legislature approved for the department’s “Get Out MORE” investments.
The overall goal of this one-time funding is to ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests can enjoy the state’s parks and trails.
The DNR hasn’t decided which specific projects will receive funding in the coming years, but the department has narrowed down which specific areas will receive the funding.
Officials say $35.4 million will be spent on improving access to public land and outdoor recreational areas.
Of that money $15 million will be spent on accessibility improvements, $9.4 million on roads, $8 million on hiking and paved trails, $2 million on wayfinding and signage, and $1 million on track chairs and other adaptive equipment so more Minnesotans can enjoy state trails.
The DNR will also spend $9.5 million on modernizing camping and other infrastructure so more campers can spend the night in campsites across the state.
Around $60 million will be spent on the state’s fish hatcheries.
Of that $60 million the DNR says $24 million will be spent on the Waterville Hatchery, $19 million on the Crystal Springs Hatchery, $12 million on other hatcheries, and $5 million onshore fishing.
The department will also spend $35 million to modernize boating access to the state’s lakes and rivers and $10 million to restore streams and other water-related infrastructure.
A DNR spokesperson says the department will start working on some of these projects as early as this upcoming spring and summer.