Call for Proposals for Funding from Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund

SAINT PAUL, MN (12/12/2011)(readMedia)-- The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has issued its 2012-2013 Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund beginning July 1, 2013. Approximately $31 million is expected to be available for projects being sought in environment and natural resource areas that will provide multiple ecological and other public benefits. Proposals responding to the 2012-2013 RFP are due Friday, April 6, 2012.

Proposals are being requested in the following six areas:

1. The Reinvest in Minnesota program as provided in M.S. 84.95, Subd. 2.
2. Research that contributes to increasing the effectiveness of protecting or managing the state's environment or natural resources.
3. Collection and analysis of information that assists in developing the state's environmental and natural resources policies.
4. Enhancement of public education, awareness, and understanding necessary for the protection, conservation, restoration, and enhancement of air, land, water, forests, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
5. Capital projects for the preservation and protection of unique natural resources.
6. Activities that preserve or enhance fish, wildlife, land, air, water, and other natural resources that otherwise may be substantially impaired or destroyed in any area of the state.

The 2012-2013 RFP contains detailed directions for submitting a proposal to the LCCMR and additional explanation of the LCCMR's proposal and funding process. Anyone with a project idea consistent with the RFP may submit a proposal for consideration by the LCCMR.

Issuance of this RFP begins the competitive, multi-step process through which the LCCMR selects projects to recommend to the Minnesota Legislature for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. During June and July 2012, the LCCMR will consider all proposals received in response to the 2012-2013 RFP and make final selection of projects to include in its recommendations to the legislature for the 2013 session. Funded projects can begin July 1, 2013.

The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is a permanent dedicated fund in the Minnesota state treasury that was established by 77% voter approval of a constitutional amendment in 1988. The amendment directs forty percent of the net proceeds of the Minnesota Lottery, or approximately seven cents of every dollar spent on playing the lottery, into the Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is intended to provide a long-term, stable source of funding for innovative and far-sighted activities that protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources for the benefit of current citizens and future generations.

For more information on the LCCMR funding process or the 2012-2013 RFP, please visit http://www.lccmr.leg.mn.

Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR)

The LCCMR is made up of 17 members (5 Senators, 5 Representatives, 5 citizens appointed by the governor, 1 citizen appointed by the Senate, and 1 citizen appointed by the House). The function of the LCCMR is to make funding recommendations to the Minnesota State Legislature for special environment and natural resource projects, primarily from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The LCCMR developed from a program initiated in 1963. Since then over $735 million has been appropriated to more than 1,700 projects recommended to protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources.

# # #