Senate File 946, presented to the Senate Environment committee on April 1, requests $190,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $190,000 in fiscal year 2027 for Area 2 Minnesota River Basin Projects to support floodplain management and floodwater retention in nine counties of southwestern Minnesota.

Carrie Netske, executive director of Area 2 Minnesota River Basin Projects, described the region’s unique geography — the Coteau des Prairies (Buffalo Ridge) — which creates steep elevation drops that accelerate runoff and carry sediments and nutrients into the Minnesota River. Netske said Area 2 was created by statute in 1978 and that state funding historically supported administration and engineering capacity for flood‑water retention projects. The requested funds, Netske told the committee, maintain the program’s current funding level and support work on floodwater retention across five major watersheds.

Netske outlined how Area 2 has leveraged state funding to attract federal grants and local matching funds: in fiscal year 2024 the program used $300,000 in state money and attracted more than $600,000 in local match, she said, and the work continues to be used to design projects, align permits and pursue bonding or federal funds for construction.

Senator Davis introduced the request and the committee asked technical questions about the program’s history, the nature of the local match and the kinds of projects funded. Netske said the appropriation is not an increase but a continuation of prior support and stressed the program’s long record of cost‑effective floodwater storage projects.

The committee laid over Senate File 946 for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill and for follow‑up on technical and fiscal questions.