The LCCMR is made up of 17 members: 5 Senators, 5 Representatives, 5 citizens appointed by the governor, 1 citizen appointed by the Senate, and 1 citizen appointed by the House. The function of the LCCMR is to make funding recommendations to the legislature for special environment and natural resource projects, primarily from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). These projects help maintain and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources. The LCCMR developed from a program initiated in 1963. Since 1963, approximately $1.5 billion has been appropriated to more than 2,600 projects recommended to the legislature by the Commission to protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources.
In 1988, 77% of Minnesota voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing the ENRTF (Article XI, Sec. 14) - a constitutionally dedicated fund that originates from a combination of Minnesota State Lottery proceeds and investment income. The purpose of the ENRTF is to provide a long-term, consistent, and stable source of funding for activities that protect, conserve, preserve, and enhance Minnesota's "air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources" for the benefit of current citizens and future generations. Since 1991, the ENRTF has provided approximately $1.1 billion to over 1,700 projects around the state.
On June 11, members selected 124 proposals totaling approximately $162 million to invite for presentation before the LCCMR on June 24-27 in order to receive further consideration for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. On July 18, the LCCMR will meet to make final selection and funding allocation decisions.
Proposals Selected for Presentation Summary and Process 2026 Funding Process
On June 9, 2025, the Legislature adopted 124 projects for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). On June 14, 2025, the 124 appropriations were signed into law by the Governor as M.L. 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 1, Article 2, with $103,326,000 from the ENRTF.
NEW - LCCMR Six-Year Strategic Plan for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund 2025 - 2031, adopted on December 11, 2024.
The LCCMR biennial report as required in M.S. 116P.09, Subd. 7 from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) due January 15, 2025 is available. The report covers LCCMR actions from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024 including summaries of past funding accomplishments and new recommendations for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
The Emerging Issues Account is intended to be used for efforts addressing an unexpected and urgent need in an expedited manner. Requests for funds from the Emerging Issues account follow a different process than the LCCMR’s RFP and funding recommendation process. These appropriations are authorized under M.S. 116P.08, Subd. 4. Click below to learn more about the process for requesting funds from the Emerging Issues Account.
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