MINNESOTA, USA — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced Monday how it plans to split up $149.9 million in funding from Gov. Tim Walz's state budget.
The money is part of a one-time payment called the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) investments. On the Minnesota DNR website, it says that the investments will be allocated over the next 5 or 6 years.
“I’m thrilled about the transformative projects included in this plan and can’t wait for people to start experiencing these improvements as they enjoy our public lands and waters," DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said in a release. "We are making great progress to ensure our outdoor recreation system can engage people of all abilities and interests, and help people Get Out MORE.”
Here is where the DNR intends to spend the money.
Fisheries and shore fishing
The DNR is devoting a whopping $55 million to fish hatcheries. The Waterville Hatchery will receive the bulk at $24 million, the Crystal Springs Hatchery will get $19 million and other hatcheries will get $12 million.
In the release, the DNR said the goal is to increase fish production, improve staff safety and improve the safety of water supplies.
An additional $5 million will be set aside for enhancing shore fishing sites.
Accessibility
More than $35 million will be used for increasing accessibility and bringing in new visitors to public lands. In the release, the DNR said two of the goals were to refresh recreation facilities and re-engineer roads and trails.
About $15 million will go to improve accessibility, $9.4 million will go to roads, $8 million to trails, $2 million for signs and $1 million for track chairs and other adaptive equipment.
Boating access
Another $35 million will go to updating more than 100 public water accesses.
The majority of the money - $30 million - will go to about 40-60 big projects which may include improving accessibility, protection from stormwater, aquatic invasive species prevention, healthy shorelines and ramps for nonmotorized boats.
The remaining $5 million will go to smaller projects including parking lot updates and stormwater treatment.
Restoring streams
$10 million will go toward reconnecting about 63 miles of streams and restoring 43,000 feet of habitat.
Modernizing Camping
$9.5 million will be focused on updating the camping infrastructure and experience at two popular state parks.
$5M will be spent on a pilot program at Minneopa State Park to build a campground designed with larger, accessible sites and modernized facilities, and improved wayfinding and trails.
The remainder ($4.5M) will update wastewater infrastructure at Myre-Big Island State Park.
For more details on the Get Out MORE funding package, check out the DNR website.
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