Rep. Benson: Legacy Bill Will Help Protect Lake Minnetonka

ST. PAUL, MN – Last Friday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Omnibus Legacy Bill on a vote of 70-55.

The bill’s provisions protect drinking water, will help protect and enhance the environment, and will continue to support Minnesota’s thriving arts and cultural heritage.

In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Constitutional Amendment to increase the state sales tax by three-eighths of one percent beginning on July 1, 2009 and continuing until 2034.

The funds raised by the amendment are designated for the environment, arts, and culture.

“I am particularly pleased the bill includes new resources to protect Lake Minnetonka from aquatic invasive species such as Zebra Mussels, Eurasian Watermilfoil, and Common Carp. These species are endangering the health of the lake and they present a significant economic threat as well,” said Rep. John Benson (DFL – Minnetonka), who serves on the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committees.

In addition to providing resources for combating aquatic invasive species in Lake Minnetonka, the Omnibus Legacy Bill distributes $7.5 million to the Department of Natural Resources, local governments, watershed districts, and tribes to help contain and suppress the growing threat posed by water-based invasive species throughout our state.

FEATURES OF OMNIBUS LEGACY BILL:

• The legislation includes $6.8 million for restoring an additional 1,822 acres of critical wildlife habitats across the Twin Cities.
  
  
• The Legacy Bill enhances the state and regional trail system by focusing on improving the connections between trails. It includes significant resources to reduce a backlog of deferred maintenance and improvements designed to enhance the quality of our parks and trails.
  
  
• The Legacy Bill also supports the Minnesota Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils, the Minnesota Historical Society, the Humanities Council, our state, county, and county museums, zoo, and aquariums across the state.
  
  

SHAVERS LAKE RESTORATION:

In the past, local governments have too often used small lakes to collect storm water run-off turning them into polluted, smelly marshes. Rep. Benson’s legislation (HF 461) directs the DNR to grant our Minnetonka and Plymouth homeowners permits to restore Shavers Lake.

Specifically, the bill allows homeowners to begin the process of returning the Shavers Lake, which was damaged by run-off, to its original sand bottom state – at no cost to Minnesota. Rep. Benson’s legislation has been signed into law by the governor.

“Allowing homeowners to improve their property values, in this case by restoring a neighborhood lake makes sense to me,” said Rep. Benson.

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