ST. PAUL — A council that recommends how legislators should spend a portion of certain tax proceeds has approved $109 million in funding for a number of projects.

The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council reached its decision Thursday. Recommendations included helping protect prairies, assisting a Chippewa tribe in buying land and paying for a number of restoration projects.

So far lawmakers seem inclined to accept the recommendations even though the council members’ debate was occasionally contentious.