golfcourseVCBismarck CSi    The Industrial Commission today approved $5,202,225 in Outdoor Heritage Fund grants for 16 projects.

“We are impressed with these projects recommended to us by the Outdoor Heritage Fund Advisory Board that will protect and enhance North Dakota’s resources across the entire state,” commission members said in a joint statement.

The Industrial Commission, chaired by Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Chairman, and including Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees the Outdoor Heritage Fund. 

The 2013 Legislature appropriated up to $30 million per biennium from oil and gas production tax revenue to support outdoor recreation and conservation projects including access to public and private lands for outdoor activities, farming and ranching stewardship practices, fish and wildlife habitat preservation, and outdoor recreation areas.  A total of $19,312,625 has been awarded during the biennium. 

               The projects approved in the area,included:

$1,200,000 – North Dakota Waterbank Program – ND Department of Agriculture

$695,424 – LaMoure County Memorial Park Streambank Restoration Project  – LaMoure County Soil Conservation District

$472,912 – Stump Lake Park Bank Restoration – Nelson County Park Board

$253,500 – Riparian Grazing Systems Project – Stutsman County Soil Conservation District

$197,550 – Sheyenne River Bank Stability Restoration Project – Phase 1 Bjornson Golf Course – Valley City Parks and Recreation Department 

The next application deadline is April 1, 2015. More information about the program, including the application process can be found on the Outdoor Heritage Fund website. http://www.nd.gov/ndic/outdoor-infopage.htm.