The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) voted July 30 to recommend to the Minnesota Legislature funding for 116 proposals totaling approximately $130 million. The agreement is the result of a competitive, multi-stage process for recommending spending from the Minnesota Lotterysupported Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF).
LCCMR co-chairs Sen. Foung Hawj, Rep. Sydney Jordan, and Rita Albrecht said of the recommendations, “If approved by the Legislature, this funding package, which includes a record $130 million in funds from the ENRTF, would be a substantial investment in Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.”
The LCCMR’s 2027 ENRTF Request for Proposal (RFP) sought proposals that address several priority issue areas, including resiliency, water, education and outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife, energy, and land. The proposals recommended for funding seek to address both ongoing and emergent challenges across the state. Some highlights include recommended funds for:
• Trail repairs and enhancements; protecting Minnesota’s native plants and animals, including moose, sturgeon, and eastern hemlock; supporting and expanding Minnesota’s state parks, trails, and scientific and natural areas; innovative efforts to strengthen the resiliency of Minnesota’s communities and landscapes; and foundational research to equip Minnesota’s natural resource professionals with up-to-date information about the state’s groundwater, animal populations, and more.
The LCCMR received 434 proposals requesting a total of approximately $375 million in response to the 2027 RFP. After evaluating the proposals and hearing presentations from proposers, the LCCMR voted to recommend full or partial funding to 116 proposals. These recommendations will be finalized by LCCMR in bill form later this winter and presented to the 2027 Legislature for consideration during the legislative session beginning Jan. 12, 2027.
