Up to $140 million in new spending for natural resources is shaping up at the Legislature, even though cuts are being planned in almost every other category.

That's because of the constitutional amendment approved last year by voters, says Scott Wente of Forum Communications. It raises the state sales tax 0.375 percent beginning July 1 and will fund habitat preservation, water-cleanup projects as well as park improvements and arts initiatives.

About $69 million of that money will be steered toward wildlife and fish habitat and forest preservation projects. The projects were recommended by the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council, a group of appointed citizens and lawmakers.

Another $69 million in predicted sales tax revenue will be spent on water pollution assessment and cleanup projects. That money will help the state meet federal clean water guidelines and keep some lakes, rivers and streams from being polluted.

In other outdoors spending, legislators are also preparing to approve the latest plan from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, an advisory panel that annually recommends how to spend state lottery proceeds targeted to the outdoors. That plan will get $26 million for land, water and wildlife projected geared toward research.