LCCMR recommends funding state park and trail acquisition at $2.2 million for fiscal year 2010

By Judy Erickson, government relations director

On Oct. 14, 2009 after more than 16 hours of deliberation, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) reached agreement on $26 million in projects funded by receipts from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The appropriation recommendations made by the LCCMR will be subject to approval by the 2010 Minnesota Legislature.

The Commission received more than $163.8 million in project proposal requests in July and held hearings this fall on 85 proposals totaling more than $81 million.

The package adopted provides $2.2 million to the DNR for acquisition of state park and trail lands. The LCCMR specifically directed the agency to purchase property now held by the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota at Crow Wing State Park, with the remainder of the funding to be used for high priority projects determined by the DNR.

The funding package was strongly supported by a majority of commissioners. During the 45-minute discussion of the state parks and trails acqusition proposal, many commissioners spoke in support of the need to make sure the Parks & Trails Council was reimbursed for the acquisitions it makes on behalf of the state. More than one commissioner said Parks & Trails are on the front line and we need to make sure they are able to do their work.

Special thanks go to Sen. Dennis Frederickson, Sen. Ellen Anderson, Rep. Larry Howes, John Herman and Jeff Broberg for providing leadership within the Commission in support of the $2.2 million allocation.

For additional details on projects funded go to: http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/all_projects/2010_projects/2010recommended.html