Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) makes funding recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature for special environment and natural resource projects, primarily from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). These recommendations are the product of a competitive, multi-step proposal and selection process open to everyone with innovative ideas for environment and natural resources projects that can provide multiple ecological and other public benefits for Minnesota. The LCCMR also has oversight over all projects funded through its process.

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 by the Commission to protect and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.

Formerly known as the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR), the Commission was re-organized into the LCCMR in 2006 with the addition of members of the public to provide citizen input more directly in the decision-making process.

At present LCCMR’s recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature are for funding from one of three sources:

• The Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund
• Great Lakes Protection Account
• Oil overcharge funds

Currently the LCCMR makes funding recommendations on an annual or biennial basis, with recommendations presented to the Minnesota Legislature during the legislative session. The LCCMR process is open to all eligible environment and natural resources projects 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. Past projects have been in the areas of land and habitat protection, parks and trails, environmental education, natural resource information and planning, renewable energy, agriculture and forestry, and water resources. Past recipients include state agencies, private non-profits, academic institutions, local government units, federal government, tribal governments, and private corporations.

Each funding cycle, a Request for Proposal is issued for funding priorities determined by the Commission based on its six-year strategic plan and ongoing information gathering activities, including expert-led issue seminars and visits to natural resource sites around the state.
The LCCMR reviews, evaluates, and ranks all proposals submitted. A selection of the highest ranked proposals is invited to present before the LCCMR. Finally, based on the total dollars available, a subset of those proposals is chosen to be recommended to the Legislature for funding. In addition to review by the Commission, proposals may also be reviewed by peer review committees or technical advisory committees.

The LCCMR’s funding recommendations go before the Minnesota House and Senate in the form of a bill, and upon passage the bill goes the Governor to be signed into law. Funding becomes available to projects beginning July 1 of the next fiscal year after approval of a work plan by the LCCMR.
Projects that are approved for funding are overseen by the LCCMR for the duration of their funding period. Projects must submit a work plan to be approved by the Commission, provide ongoing project updates, and deliver a final report upon project completion.
A biennial report with accomplishments of completed projects, recommendations for future funding, and the current strategic plan for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is submitted to the full legislature on January 15 of the odd-numbered years.