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bill NO. _____________
INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________
By Request of the ****
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION for a grant to construct year-round recreational and conservation amenities located at a drinking water storage facility in yellowstone county; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
WHEREAS, The West End Conservation and Recreation Amenities Project, stands as an integral part of the West End Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant being developed by the City of Billings. The West End Reservoir is a water storage facility necessary to ensure a stable drinking water supply for the area. The project will provide year-round recreational and conservation amenities centered around 160 acres of open water and 150 acres of parkland and open space; and
WHEREAS, the project will be managed through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Yellowstone Conservation District to not only provide year-round recreational and conservation amenities but also to allow visitors to experience soil, water, and natural resource conservation practices; and
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Appropriation -- conditions -- administration. (1) There is appropriated $17 million from the general fund to the department of natural resources and conservation for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, for the construction and operation of the west end conservation and recreation amenities project.
(2) The department of natural resources and conservation shall distribute funds on a request basis to the city of Billings as managed through the memorandum of understanding with the Yellowstone conservation district.
(3) A maximum of 10% may be charged by the recipients for administration of the funds.
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.