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 $1.0 billion has been appropriated to more than 2,400 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 $875 million to nearly 1,800 projects around the state.
The LCCMR's 2023 Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund was issued on March 25, 2022. Approximately $70 million is anticipated to be available from the lottery-generated fund through this RFP for projects beginning July 1, 2023. Funding from the Great Lakes Protection Account is also available through this RFP. Consult the 2023 Proposal and Funding Process page for FAQs and other details.
DEADLINE: Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 4:30PM
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, 2021 is available. The report covers LCCMR actions from Jan. 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020, including summaries of past funding accomplishments and new recommendations for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Proposals for renewable energy demonstration projects at wastewater treatment facilities are being accepted until June 10, 2022. See link below to 2022 RFP for Renewable Energy for application instructions.
The 2021 Legislature made 3 appropriations for the LCCMR's Emerging Issues Account: (1) M.L. 2021, First Special Session, Chapter 6, Article 5, 10 for $1,095,000 (for renewable energy demonstration projects at wastewater treatment facilities); (2) M.L. 2021, First Special Session, Chapter 6, Article 5, 20c for $298,000; and (3) M.L. 2021, First Special Session, Chapter 6, Article 6, 10c for $233,000. These appropriations are authorized under M.S. 116P.08, Subd. 4 and can be allocated to efforts addressing an unexpected and urgent need in an expedited manner.
LCCMR Six-Year Strategic Plan ENRTF Strategic Planning Process Report Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan
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