The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has completed its annual process for making recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature on funding for environment and natural resources projects around the state, and is recommending the 2010 Legislature provide a total of approximately $26 million from the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”) to 48 projects.
Together the projects will help ensure multiple long-term goals benefiting Minnesota’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
The 48 projects being recommended address the full range of priorities specified in the LCCMR’s 2010 Request for Proposals (RFP). Those priorities were focused on innovative ways of addressing issues pertaining to water, energy, habitat, invasive species, and the public understanding of Minnesota’s natural resources.
“This year’s RFP produced a flood of funding requests having exceptional merit. As a result, this year’s project selection process was amongst the most competitive processes for Trust Fund dollars,” said LCCMR Director Susan Thornton.
A total of approximately $26 million is available from the Trust Fund for recommendation by the LCCMR in 2010. The LCCMR’s recommendations will now go before the 2010 Legislature for consideration and approval during the legislative session beginning Feb. 4. Recommended projects will begin work on July 1, 2010, when the funds become available.
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