This bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance the management and funding of environmental impact mitigation efforts related to energy conversion and transmission facilities. Key amendments include the establishment of a federal environmental law impact review fund and an environmental impact mitigation fund, both of which will now allow for the investment of moneys and the inclusion of interest or investment earnings. The bill also expands the permissible uses of the environmental impact mitigation fund to include purchasing and maintaining conservation easements or leaseholds, in addition to existing uses such as consulting with environmental experts and habitat restoration.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that empowers the commissioner to purchase and hold conservation easements or leaseholds on behalf of the state, with the authority to terminate these if they are deemed unnecessary. It clarifies the process for applicants to provide payments for mitigating environmental impacts, specifying that these payments must be deposited into the environmental impact mitigation fund. The bill is declared an emergency measure, indicating its urgent need for implementation.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 4.1-01-21, 4.1-01-21.1
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Porter: 4.1-01-21, 4.1-01-21.1, 49-22-09.2
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 4.1-01-21, 4.1-01-21.1, 49-22-09.2
Enrollment: 4.1-01-21, 4.1-01-21.1, 49-22-09.2