DNR seeks 2025 bonding to address deferred maintenance, expand Hibbing drill core library and modernize nursery

Samantha Minkler, capital asset manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, told the Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 13 that the agency's 2025 bonding request focuses on preserving existing infrastructure and pursuing targeted community investments across all 87 counties.

"Our assets serve Minnesotans across the state and are part of the fabric of communities," Minkler said, describing campgrounds, hatcheries, state forests, offices and other facilities the DNR manages.

The nut graf: DNR officials said deferred maintenance has grown over time and the 2025 request seeks funds to address safety and usability concerns while advancing accessibility and climate resiliency. The agency asked the committee to prioritize systemwide asset preservation followed by building betterment projects and land or grant programs that support recreation, forest regeneration and flood mitigation.

Most important facts first: Minkler told lawmakers that DNR-built assets have a current replacement value of $3,500,000,000 and are spread across about 5,600,000 acres. The agency described a deferred maintenance backlog that has grown as preservation appropriations have lagged. Key condition statistics cited by DNR: nearly 1 in 4 buildings are in unacceptable or poor condition; only 1 in 4 meet today's design standards including accessibility; and nearly 1 in 3 buildings are over 80 years old.

DNR's specific 2025 capital requests listed for the committee were:

- $61,000,000 for natural resources asset preservation (building and site infrastructure; water and wastewater systems; roads, trails and bridges; public water access; camping infrastructure; fish hatcheries; water control structures). - $11,100,000 for the Betterment of Buildings program, with the Hibbing Drill Core Library storage expansion identified as the top priority and "designed, complete and ready for bidding." The agency said the total project cost for the drill core library will be a little over $11,100,000. - $6,500,000 for acquisition and betterment of public lands (reforestation, access improvements, strategic acquisitions). - $1,900,000 for accessibility improvements at parks, recreation areas and high-visitation wildlife management areas; Minkler said an ideal funding level to make significant progress would be about $25,000,000 per bonding cycle. - Community investment grant requests including $10,000,000 for the dam safety grant program, $5,600,000 for the flood hazard mitigation grant program and $1,900,000 for the parks and trails local and regional grant program.

Minkler and Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer said the Hibbing Drill Core Library is a global resource for geologic core samples. Meyer noted the legislature provided $1,000,000 in emergency funding to stabilize shelving that was failing and that additional expansion and construction will start when funding is available. "The core is about, oh, 2 inches in diameter and it stacks up," Meyer said, describing why storage expansion is needed.

Committee members asked about coordination with other funding sources and the DNR's use of federal disaster reimbursement. Meyer said staff work with counties and FEMA when assets are damaged; when life-safety issues arise the DNR prioritizes protection and then seeks FEMA reimbursement.

On the State Forest Nursery, Minkler said the agency received $10,000,000 in 2023 for Phase 2 of packing facility renovation and is seeking additional betterment funding to complete final expansion and modernization work.

Ending: DNR officials closed by emphasizing steady, regular capital investment as necessary to reduce the backlog and preserve public infrastructure. They offered to provide committee members the drill core library plans and additional detail on how legacy and other funds intersect with bonding money.