Fund the planting of trees in destroyed, burned, harvested, flooded etc… forest areas and development.

 

The purpose of this bill is to increase tree planting in damaged or destroyed areas harvested, burned, flooded areas

along development or public areas.

 

 

According to the Minnesota DNR, 475 wildfires have been reported since April 1. Approximately 50,000 acres of land in

Minnesota have been destroyed by wildfires this year. Around 140,000 to 150,000 acres harvested this year. Over 9

million trees were knocked down due to the June 21 windstorm in the Bemidji and Beltrami County area in northern

Minnesota according to Star Tribune, and over 10,000 acres of land heavily damaged according to Lakeland PBS, but this

is just one storm of many in the year of 2025. The total area that we are hoping to reforest in MN is about 220,780

acres. This is about 32 million trees overall. Many ecosystems and habitats, home to animals, have also been destroyed.

This is an act to fund the planting of trees in these areas, with the addition of other public development, in urban

areas, which accounts for around another 70,000 trees. This will help to solve the problem of wildlife habitats, air

quality, flooding, temperature regulation, water quality, jobs, timber products, ect…

 

 

“Development” includes urban development areas such as parks, roads, sidewalks, public areas, etc… in St.

Paul/Minneapolis to expand tree cover.

“Costs” means about 30 to 50 million dollars to cover the amount of acres for 32 million trees.

“Solutions/Goals” means new homes and ecosystems for animals damaged or forced out from wildfires, harvests, severe

storms, etc… and improved air quality, declined heat and poverty in urban areas, flooding, temperature regulation, water

quality, jobs, timber products, etc…

 

“Minnesota DNR” means the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which conserves and manages the state's natural

resources.

“Sales Tax Increase” A general sales tax increase from 6.875% to 6.9%; .25% increase

“Future Forest Funds (FFF)” means a Minnesota DNR program focused on the sustainable management, restoration, and

expansion of forests to generate environmental benefits and potential financial returns.

“Burned Areas” includes St. Louis county; 16,490 acres, Lake St. Louis county; 12,701 acres, Polk county; 3,744 acres,

Morrison county; 2,300 acres.

“Eligible Land” means and located within state boundaries of Minnesota that is publicly owned under state authority and

privately owned with a conservation easement recorded with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.

“Harvested Areas” means between two and three million cords of wood are harvested annually according to

ruffedgrousesociety.org.

“Native Species” including species listed in MDNR Native Plant Community Classification

 

 

A .25% increase in sales tax, this would up the general sales tax from 6.875% to 6.9%. It would generate about $32

million to $48 million dollars annually, this would be suitable to cover expenses. Along with the Minnesota DNR program,

Future Forest Funds (FFF), which would pay for baselines, MRV set up, remote sensing.

 

 

Nothing in this section imposes penalties or enforcement requirements.

 

 

Effective after passing