LCCMR projects approved (new law)

A nearly $23 million package of environment and natural resources projects approved by a legislative commission can move forward.

A new law comprises the recommendations of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. The commission makes recommendations annually on appropriations from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which derives funding from lottery proceeds.

This year’s funding package includes 37 individual appropriations for more than 70 projects. By category, the funding includes: $16.3 million for land and habitat projects; $3.5 million for water resources projects; $2.4 million for natural resources information projects; $1.1 million for environment education projects; and $155,000 for the state’s emerging issues account.

Highlights from the appropriation package include:

• $3.15 million for Metro Conservation Corridors Phase IV;

• $3.15 million for the Habitat Conservation Partnership Phase V;

• $1.6 million for south-central Minnesota groundwater monitoring and county geologic atlases;

• $1.5 million for state park and trail acquisitions; and

• $1.5 million to the Metropolitan Council for regional park land acquisitions.

A full list of the approved projects is available at the LCCMR’s Web site.

The law takes effect July 1, 2008. Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) are the sponsors.

HF2745/SF2492*/CH367