LCCMR agrees on $79 million to benefit Minnesota's environment

Funding is from the MN Lottery-supported Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund

SAINT PAUL, MN (07/21/2023) (readMedia)-- The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) is pleased to announce it has agreed to recommend funding for 101 projects totaling $79,644,000 to the Minnesota Legislature. The agreement is the result of a competitive, multi-stage process for recommending spending from the Minnesota Lottery-supported Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF).

LCCMR co-chairs, Rep. Rick Hansen, Sen. Foung Hawj, and Nancy Gibson, said in a statement, "This year's recommendations continue the ENRTF's long legacy of supporting science-based and innovative environmental and natural resource projects across the state. These recommendations will translate to tangible and long-lasting benefits for all Minnesotans and the waters, wildlife, prairies, forests, and parks that make Minnesota's environment so special."

The LCCMR's 2024 ENRTF Request for Proposal (RFP) sought proposals that address several priority issue areas, including water resources, invasive species, renewable energy, natural resource management, habitat protection and restoration, outdoor recreation, and environmental education. The 101 projects recommended for funding seek to address both ongoing and emergent challenges across the state. Some highlights include recommended funds for:

  • Modeling to better predict and manage cycles of flooding and drought throughout Minnesota.
  • Fundamental research to more thoroughly document the life cycle of Minnesota's elk population.
  • Investigating the use of microbes and enzymes to break down PFAS (forever chemicals) in contaminated areas.
  • Planning and developing a long-distance hiking trail through southeastern Minnesota's Driftless Region.
  • Improving and expanding Minnesota's state parks, trails, and scientific and natural areas (SNAs).
  • Continued research into fighting invasive species undertaken by the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center.
  • Several outdoor and environmental education initiatives that serve a wide diversity of Minnesota's youth.

The LCCMR received 218 proposals requesting a total of approximately $174 million. After evaluating the proposals and hearing presentations from proposers, the LCCMR voted to recommend full or partial funding to 101 proposals. These recommendations will be finalized by LCCMR in bill form later this winter and presented to the 2024 Legislature for consideration during the legislative session beginning February 12, 2024. Approved projects would begin work after funds become available on July 1, 2024 For more information, visit the 2024 Proposal and Funding Process page on the LCCMR website.

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 ENRTF until the year 2025. Since 1991, approximately $875 million from the ENRTF has been spent on over 1,800 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 over $1 billion has been appropriated to over 2,300 projects recommended to protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources.

Current LCCMR members are Rep. Patty Acomb, Rita Albrecht, Rep. Jeff Backer, Sen. Kari Dziedzic, William Faber, Nancy Gibson, Sen. Steve Green, Rep. Rick Hansen, Sen. Foung Hawj, Rep. Josh Heintzeman, Rep. Athena Hollins, Shona Langseth, Seth Moore, Sen. Kelly Morrison, Jeremy Peichel, Michael Reese, and Sen. Torrey Westrom