Minnesota DNR advances implementation of Get Out MORE funding

Photo credit: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced the programmatic framework that will guide how and where the historic, one-time Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) investments will be focused.

The transformative $149.9 million Get Out MORE investments, part of Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan?s One Minnesota Budget, will help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whatever outdoor experience they choose.

?The Get Out MORE investments are planned to ensure we are using this funding to do the most good in the most places,? DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. ?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. 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.?

The Get Out MORE investments are focused in these key areas:

Enhancing access and welcoming new users to public lands and outdoor recreation facilities ($35.4M)

The investment in enhancing access and welcoming new users to public lands will result in refreshed recreational facilities, revitalized and sustainably re-engineered roads and trails that access recreational opportunities, and improved accessibility for all Minnesotans.?

• $15M for accessibility improvements
• $9.4M for roads
• $8M for hiking and paved trail surface improvements
• $2M for improved wayfinding and signs
• $1M for track chairs and other adaptive equipment

Modernizing camping and related infrastructure ($9.5M)

These investments will focus on updating the camping infrastructure and experiences at two popular state parks in Minnesota.

• $5M for a pilot to modernize experiences at Minneopa State Park with a campground designed with larger, accessible sites and modernized facilities, and improved wayfinding and trails
• $4.5M for renewing wastewater infrastructure at Myre-Big Island State Park

Enhancing fisheries and fishing infrastructure ($60M)

These projects move Minnesota toward a state-of-the-art fish hatchery system with safe and biosecure water supplies, increased fish production, and improved staff safety. The investments will also enhance shore fishing sites and opportunities.?

• $24M for the Waterville Hatchery
• $19M for the Crystal Springs Hatchery
• $12M for other hatcheries
• $5M for shore fishing

Modernizing boating access ($35M)

This investment will enable the DNR to update more than 100 public water accesses to be more accessible to all users, meet the needs of modern watercraft, improve protection of public waters from stormwater runoff and invasive species, and enhance climate resilience.

• $30M for 40 to 60 large-scale projects, which will include accessible features, stormwater improvements, aquatic invasive species prevention, healthy shorelines and accessible ramps for nonmotorized boats
• $5M for 75-125 small-scale projects, including longer launch ramps, wider drive lanes, wider and longer parking stalls and improved stormwater treatment

Restoring streams and modernizing water-related infrastructure to support outdoor recreation ($10M)

Phase one of this investment will reconnect an estimated 63 miles of streams and restore an estimated 43,000 feet of habitat.

• Phase one includes $5.6 million for channel restoration, dam removal and modification, and culvert replacements for streams throughout Minnesota
• The DNR will share information about the projects the balance of the funding will be used for in the future

For more information, visit the DNR?s Get Out MORE webpage (mndnr.gov/aboutdnr/get-out-more).

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