Governor Pawlenty, by Executive Order, has created a new taskforce charged with providing the Governor with recommendations on “matters relating to the development of a sustainable governance and funding model which will create a lasting legacy for the conservation, protection and enhancement of the state’s natural resources and which will establish Minnesota as the nation’s leading conservation state.” The application process to be on this council is now open, with details below.
Anyone interested in serving on the Conservation Legacy Council can now apply through the Open Application process through the Secretary of State’s office. You can find the position announcement in both PDF and Word form. This is a link to the application form.
The council will be composed of 11 citizens, two state senators, and two state representatives, with appointees serving two-year terms without compensation.
According to the Executive Order, the council has the following responsibilities:
a). The Council’s focus must be on developing recommendations that provide for a sustainable governance and funding model for the conservation, protection and enhancement of the State’s water, land, fish, wildlife and other natural resources.
b). The Council should emphasize developing a strategic plan for the State to achieve the recommended governance and funding models.
c). The Council must consider in its recommendations governance and funding models that incorporate partnerships between governmental entities, non-governmental entities, organizations, land owners and others.
d). The Council should consider governance and funding as to all current and recommended future state government operated or managed activities relating to natural resources; including, fish game and wildlife habitat protection and restoration, water quality protection and enhancement, forestry activities, prairie restoration, and biological diversity.
While the purpose of this group is laudable, has anyone figured out how it relates to the $300K conservation strategy that the LCCMR is going to fund, or the ongoing debate about earmarking natural resources funding through the state constitution?