BISMARCK, N.D. - Nearly $2.5 million in dollars for conservation projects across the state were approved Wednesday, with one project being held over to be fleshed out with more details.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved six projects for funds from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. A seventh project was returned to the fund’s advisory board. A project submitted by the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts was awarded the lion’s share of the funds at $2.05 million.
Outdoor Heritage Fund board member Wade Moser said the group is to continue a statewide tree planting initiative it has undertaken after going through a previous grant of similar size.
“We expected that the funds would last for three years. It only lasted (just) over a year due to the interest,” Moser said. “I think they’re going to make really good use of the dollars.”
The smallest grant approved was for $26,300 to Delta Waterfowl of Bismarck. The group plans to construct 200 henhouses across the state to help boost the duck population.
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One application for nearly $1.1 million from a group of four applicants was returned to committee. The application was for a grassland partnership project in which land development assistance would be provided to landowners who want livestock fencing and livestock water development. The dollars would be used to focus on providing lands for grassland birds with declining populations.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said he had concerns over the ability to ensure results through such a program, adding that a similar request was rejected in a previous grant round.
“I don’t believe this is what the agriculture community wants,” Goehring said.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple said his concern was having four groups coordinating on a project and meeting objectives in a timely manner.
“I think the multiple entities is a problem. Getting this structured right is important,” Dalrymple said.
The fund was raised from a $30 million per biennium cap to $40 million during the past legislative session. It is intended to provide money for conservation projects and to provide public access to outdoor recreation areas. The Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars come from a portion of the state’s oil and gas gross production tax revenues.
The most recent state estimate on availability of dollars from earlier this year showed only about $20 million being available for the 2013-15 biennium and $26 million for 2015-17.
Information on projects can be found at the Outdoor Heritage Fund link at www.nd.gov/ndic .
