SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Today, the Minnesota House approved a plan to appropriate $64 million from the Environment and Natural Trust Fund. The legislation (HF 2032), was introduced by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) and received broad bipartisan support.
“Minnesotans are proud of our state’s natural beauty and abundant natural resources,” said Rep. Hansen. “The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund has supported thousands of environmental projects across the state since it was established in 1988 with the overwhelming support of Minnesota voters. This legislation will build on that success and protect our environment and wildlife for future generations of Minnesotans.”
In 1988, Minnesota voters overwhelmingly chose to adopt a constitutional amendment that established the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). 40 percent of the proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery are deposited into the fund each year. The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), a bipartisan group of legislators and citizens, provides funding recommendations to the legislature. The revenue is then allocated to projects that preserve, restore, and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.
Maintaining and improving Minnesota lands is a cornerstone of the legislation. It provides funding for local parks, trails, and recreation areas throughout the state and improves access to fishing piers for people with disabilities. The bill also includes support for National Loon Center programming. Other provisions would restore lands that serve as habitat for endangered plants and animals. Prairie restoration, for example, would benefit vulnerable prairie butterflies, an important pollinator species.
The legislation funds innovative research and data collection that would aid conservation efforts and protect native species. These efforts include a statewide field survey on sensitive plants and pollinators, a study of native bees, and a project to restore native mussels to Minnesota rivers. Additional funding would go towards researching and controlling aquatic and terrestrial invasive species that threaten native plants, wildlife, and ecosystems. Several other animals – raptors, trumpeter swans, spruce grouse, red-headed woodpeckers, fishers, and more – would be studied for conservation purposes.
Protecting our clean water and air is also a top priority. The legislation includes funding for research on removing a variety of common contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, nitrogen, PFAs, road salt, mercury, and microplastics, from water sources, as well as preventing further pollution. It establishes a pilot program to help communities optimize existing wastewater treatment systems without costly upgrades. The bill also supports innovative clean energy systems that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower costs for consumers, including farm energy storage systems and a White Earth Nation community solar project.
The legislation would also connect Minnesota youth and adults with nature. Camp Sunrise, a hands-on program for economically disadvantaged youth, is one of these initiatives. Another would educate students on the Boundary Waters and provide wilderness canoe experiences. Other measures would educate Minnesotans about practices to halt the spread of emerald ash borer and increase diversity in environmental careers.
