LCCMR recommends $130 million to benefit Minnesota's environment

SAINT PAUL, MN (08/04/2026) (readMedia)-- The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) voted July 30 to recommend to the Minnesota Legislature funding for 116 proposals totaling approximately $130 million. 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 Sen. Foung Hawj, Rep. Sydney Jordan, and Rita Albrecht said of the recommendations, "If approved by the Legislature, this funding package, which includes a record $130 million in funds from the ENRTF, would be a substantial investment in Minnesota's environment and natural resources. We are grateful that the LCCMR can help empower environmental practitioners across the state to undertake on-the-ground, innovative, and impactful projects that will benefit Minnesota and Minnesotans for years to come."

The LCCMR's 2027 ENRTF Request for Proposal (RFP) sought proposals that address several priority issue areas, including resiliency, water, education and outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife, energy, and land. The proposals recommended for funding seek to address both ongoing and emergent challenges across the state. Some highlights include recommended funds for:

• Trail repairs and enhancements that increase opportunities for all Minnesotans to access and enjoy outdoor spaces.
• Protecting Minnesota's native plants and animals, including moose, sturgeon, and eastern hemlock.
• Supporting and expanding Minnesota's state parks, trails, and scientific and natural areas.
• Innovative efforts to strengthen the resiliency of Minnesota's communities and landscapes.
• Foundational research to equip Minnesota's natural resource professionals with up-to-date information about the state's groundwater, animal populations, and more.

The LCCMR received 434 proposals requesting a total of approximately $375 million in response to the 2027 RFP. After evaluating the proposals and hearing presentations from proposers, the LCCMR voted to recommend full or partial funding to 116 proposals. These recommendations will be finalized by LCCMR in bill form later this winter and presented to the 2027 Legislature for consideration during the legislative session beginning January 12, 2027. Approved projects would begin work after funds become available on July 1, 2027. For more information, visit the 2027 Proposal and Funding Process page on the LCCMR website.

The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) 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 through the year 2050. Since 1991, approximately $1.3 billion from the ENRTF has been spent through the LCCMR process 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 (LCCMR) 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 $1.7 billion has been appropriated to over 2,900 projects recommended to protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources.

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