The Natural Areas Conservation Fund is established as a nonlapsing separate account to be administered by the commissioner. Income from gifts, bequests, devises, grants, fees and other sources may be deposited in this fund. All money in the fund and earnings on that money must be used for the investigation, conservation and management of native plants, natural communities, ecosystems or other significant features as described in this chapter and for administrative and personnel costs for the purposes of this section. The commissioner may make grants from the fund to any person, organization, state agency or other entity to undertake inventory and research about rare plants, natural communities, ecosystems or other features of natural areas. [PL 1999, c. 556, §13 (NEW).]

Funds in the Natural Areas Conservation Fund may not be deposited in the General Fund or any other fund except as provided by law. All funds of the Natural Areas Conservation Fund are subject to allocation by the Legislature. [PL 1999, c. 556, §13 (NEW).]