Subdivision 1.Application.

A local unit of government shall apply to the board to receive cost-share funding for a proposed wetland restoration project that receives final local approval under section 103F.902. The application must include a copy of the survey report and any comments received on the proposed wetland. Within 30 days of receiving an application, the board shall notify the local unit of government on whether the application and survey report are complete.

Subd. 2.Cost share.

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The board may provide up to the lesser of $20,000 or 50 percent of the cost of a wetland establishment or restoration project, including engineering costs, establishment or restoration costs, and compensation costs.

Subd. 3.Conservation easement.

In exchange for cost-share financing under subdivision 2, the board shall acquire a permanent conservation easement, as defined in section 84C.01, paragraph (1). The easement agreement must contain the conditions listed in section 103F.515, subdivision 4.

Subd. 4.Priorities.

In reviewing requests from local units of government under this section, the board must give priority to applications based on the public value of the proposed wetland. The public value of the wetland must include the value of the wetland for:

(1) water quality;

(2) flood protection;

(3) recreation including fish and wildlife habitat;

(4) groundwater recharge; and

(5) other public uses.