LCCMR adopts new six-year strategic plan

SAINT PAUL, MN (12/16/2024) (readMedia)-- The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) voted on December 11, 2024, to adopt a new six-year strategic plan, which will help guide recommendations for funding from the lottery-generated Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) for the next six years. Informed by a robust public engagement process, the strategic plan includes new goals and strategies that cover a broad range of natural resource, environmental, and outdoor recreation-related issues and opportunities. It also outlines priorities for LCCMR communications and outreach and the proposal solicitation, review, and recommendation process.

The LCCMR has adopted strategic plans approximately every six years as required by its governing law, but this is the first time since 2009 that significant revisions have been made. The mission and vision have not been updated since establishment of the ENRTF in 1988. The new funding goals and strategies for the ENRTF will be incorporated into the commission's next Request for Proposals, anticipated to be released in January of 2025, to announce priorities for approximately $100 million available in the next funding cycle.

LCCMR co-chairs Nancy Gibson, Rep. Rick Hansen, and Sen. Foung Hawj, said of the strategic plan, "This plan is a revitalized vision for how the ENRTF can help resolve our environmental challenges and make meaningful opportunities for all Minnesotans to enjoy our natural resources. It provides a firm foundation for the renewed Constitutional commitment of lottery dollars for conservation and the environment. The LCCMR thanks the many Minnesotans across the state who shared their perspectives about the ENRTF and LCCMR through listening sessions, surveys, public comments, and testimony this year. Your work and involvement matters."

The seven goals for the ENRTF prioritize funding for programs and projects related to land, water, fish and wildlife, education and outdoor recreation, resiliency, energy, and emerging issues. Strategies related to each goal prioritize the use of the ENRTF for a wide range of activities to meet the goals. New goals and strategies for the LCCMR represent a commitment to public awareness and a fair and open process, one that helps the LCCMR recommend projects that will provide maximum and measurable benefit to Minnesota's environment and natural resources. The strategic plan can be found on the LCCMR website: https://www.lccmr.mn.gov/documents/strategic_plan/lccmr_strategic_plan.pdf.

The adopted strategic plan is the culmination of a year-long process by the LCCMR Subcommittee on Strategic Planning, which was comprised of Rita Albrecht (subcommittee chair), Michael Reese (subcommittee vice-chair), Sen. Steve Green, Rep. Rick Hansen, Sen. Foung Hawj, Rep. Josh Heintzeman, Shona Langseth, Sen. Jennifer McEwen (alternate senate member), and Jeremy Peichel (alternate citizen member). The process included reviewing the LCCMR's current strategic plan and previous strategic planning efforts; gathering and analyzing public input from over 1,000 stakeholders, subject matter experts, and everyday Minnesotans; and developing recommendations for the LCCMR.

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 State Lottery into the Trust Fund until the year 2050. Since 1991, approximately $1.1 billion from the ENRTF has been spent on over 1,700 projects that protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources in every county of the state.

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources is made up of 5 state senators, 5 state representatives, and 7 citizen members. 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, approximately $1.5 billion has been appropriated to over 2,600 projects recommended to protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources.

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