Commission recommends $50.6 million in environmental projects statewide

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources will recommend to the 2011 Legislature that approximately $50.6 million from the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund be directed to 92 unique projects around the state.

The projects will achieve multiple long-term benefits for Minnesota’s environment, fish and wildlife as well as helping provide jobs and economic stimulus to Minnesota communities where the projects will occur.

Shortly after the LCCMR recommendations were finalized in July, long-time commission member and co-chair, Sen. Jim Vickerman said that, “the commission worked closely as a group and put together a well-balanced package of projects to address the range of priorities for Minnesota’s natural resources.”

The 92 projects being recommended address all of the funding priority categories specified in the LCCMR’s 2011-2012 Request for Proposal. This year’s requests sought projects to provide the critical natural resource information needed for on-the-ground natural resource protection or to address water, energy, invasive species and habitat issues in innovative ways. Examples of recommended projects include:

• Efforts to mitigate the effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill on Minnesota’s migrating bird species;
• Acceleration of public access and recreational opportunities in the new Lake Vermilion State Park;
• Expansion and enhanced protection of natural areas in state and regional parks and trails and unique habitat throughout the state;
• Accelerating efforts to acquire essential information for understanding Minnesota’s soils, plants, animals, drinking and groundwater resources;
• Research on Minnesota’s water resources, including analysis of water quality issues in the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and efforts to understand the effects that climate change and invasive species are having on Lake Superior;
• Efforts pertaining to Emerald Ash Borer, both in providing biocontrol of the invasive insect and ensuring that other control efforts do not have unintended consequences for other species or water quality.

“The Commission showed particular leadership in directing funds toward protecting Minnesota’s migrating bird species from the impacts of the Gulf oil spill,” said co-chair Nancy Gibson, a citizen member. “Specific funds were set aside for this purpose and several projects are being directed to revise their proposed efforts to directly respond to this issue.”

Co-Chair Rep. Jean Wagenius echoed Gibson, saying, “I think Minnesotans will very much appreciate this year’s project recommendations. They are based on the strongest consensus the commission has exhibited in recent memory and were unanimously adopted by members.”

A total of approximately $50.6 million is available from the Trust Fund for recommendation by the LCCMR in 2011-2012. The LCCMR’s recommendations will now go before the 2011 Legislature for consideration and approval during the legislative session beginning January 4. Recommended projects will begin work on July 1, 2011, when the funds become available.

The LCCMR received proposals requesting approximately $161.9 million. Combined requests amounted to more than $3 requested for every $1 available, making for a very competitive process. Of the original 241 proposals, 105 were requested to give presentations and answer questions before the commission. From this reduced pool, 92 projects received a recommendation for some money.

The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund was created in 1988. Forty percent of the net proceeds, or approximately seven cents of every dollar spent on playing the lottery, goes into the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which is then managed and invested for continued growth by the State Board of Investment. The LCCMR can make recommendations for up to 5.5% of the existing annual market value of the Trust Fund. Expenditures from the Trust Fund must be used for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife and other natural resources.

Additional information on the LCCMR’s 2011-2012 proposal recommendations and the 2011-2012 proposal process can be found online at: www.lccmr.leg.mn.