Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund 
Emerging Issues Account
Adopted 1/15/08 by LCCMR
116P.08 TRUST FUND EXPENDITURES.

Subd. 4. Legislative recommendations.
d) The commission may recommend the establishment of an annual emerging issues account in its annual legislative bill for funding emerging issues, which come up unexpectedly, but which still adhere to the commission's strategic plan, to be approved by the governor after initiation and recommendation by the commission.

Emerging Issues Account Criteria
The funds in the Emerging Issues Account may be recommended for an effort that has an unexpected and urgent need, such as:
- Addressing environmental or disease issues where delay will threaten the viability of segments of the State's natural resources or human health;
- Implementing a natural resource corrective action where delay will be detrimental to the State's natural resources;
- An opportunity to enhance natural resource management in a timely manner;
- An opportunity to acquire critical land in a timely manner.

Use of the funds must be consistent with the Commission's strategic plan. Notification of the availability of the Emerging Issues Account will be posted on the LCCMR web site.

Requesting funds
To be considered for a LCCMR recommendation for use of the Emerging Issues Account, a letter (one page limit) must be submitted to the LCCMR requesting funds.

The letter must:
- Describe the specific urgency;
- Explain how the request fits the emerging issues account criteria;
- Explain the proposed use of the funds including proposed results and deliverables.

Attached to the letter requesting consideration of funding must be a description of the organization describing its capability to carry out the activity proposed.

Awarding funds
- The Commission will review requests at least semi-annually at posted and open meetings.
- For a request to be approved, a quorum of the Commission must be present and atleast 60% of those members present must vote in favor of approval.
- If a request is approved by the LCCMR it will be sent to the governor for consideration per M.S. 116P.08, Subd. 4.
- If the commission recommends that funds be put in the emerging issues account and those funds are made available through the legislative process, the funds should be available starting July 1, for the same two-year period as other recommended funds.
o Funds are available for recommendation by the commission to address unexpected and urgent needs until they are spent within the two-year period.
o If the funds are not spent for an unexpected and urgent need before the start of the second legislative session within the two-year period, the commission may recommend that they be added to an existing Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund project that has a critical need for additional funding to achieve the goals of the project.