Legacy Amendment funding process moves forward

How can the state best invest hundreds of millions of dollars approved by voters last November in clean water, parks and trails and fish and wildlife habitat? That's the question the Governor, legislators and advisory councils are beginning to answer as the 2010-11 budget process unfolds in the Capitol. FMR is tracking the process to be sure needs of the River, River corridor and metro watersheds are adequately funded.

Governor Pawlenty's two-year budget proposal proposes $118 million in clean water funding and another $53 million for parks and trails projects. In the third major category of Legacy Amendment funding, fish and wildlife habitat funding, the Governor deferred to the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council, an advisory committee composed of legislators and citizens that is supposed to make funding recommendations to the legislature by April 1.

The Clean Water Council, another advisory committee whose job is to oversee implementation of the state's 2006 Clean Water Legacy Act, has presented recommendations on clean water funding from the Amendment that are generally comparable to the Governor's. The largest single item recommended by the Council is $50 million over two years to build and upgrade sewage treatment plants to prevent and restore impairments that keep waters from achieving federal Clean Water Act standards.

The Legislature and Governor are expected to make final two-year funding decisions on the Legacy Amendment and other budgets by the legislative adjournment in mid-May.