ST. PAUL—State Rep. Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, encourages area residents to apply to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Citizen Fisheries Oversight and Wildlife Oversight committees to help give northwestern Minnesota a strong voice as to how the DNR spends Game and Fish Fund dollars.
“In northwestern Minnesota, issues related to fishing and hunting are very important to the people and our local economies. Having voices from our region on these citizen oversight committees will help ensure we are well represented at the state level,” Rep. Fabian said.
The DNR will appoint at least 10 to 12 interested individuals to fill three-year terms on the oversight committees. Appointees are responsible for reviewing the agency’s annual Game and Fish Fund Report and, following discussions with agency representatives, prepare a report on their findings.
Nearly $100 million flows in and out of the DNR Game and Fish Fund each year, with revenue generated from hunting and fishing license sales, federal reimbursements and a sales tax on state lottery tickets. The Fund goes toward delivering fish, wildlife and law enforcement programs, as well as managing 5,400 fishing lakes, 1,400 Wildlife Management Areas and 150-plus field conservation officers.
The application is located online at www.dnr.state.mn.us/gamefishoversight and is due Friday, October 25, 2013. This is a self-nomination process, but Rep. Fabian encourages interested residents to contact him with any questions. He can be reached at rep.dan.fabian@house.mn or 651.296.9635.