Continued Funding for Natural Resources Protection is on the Minnesota Ballot

Continued Funding for Natural Resources Protection is on the Minnesota Ballot 

When voting this year, you’ll see a constitutional amendment on the ballot for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). The amendment would reauthorize dedicated revenue from the Minnesota State Lottery to support the trust fund through December 2050. 

The ENRTF was established by constitutional amendment in 1988. Funds are used for the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. Over the last thirty years, the ENRTF has provided approximately $1 billion to over 1,600 projects across the state. 

The fund is overseen by the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), a commission of five lawmakers each from the Minnesota House and Senate, two citizen members appointed by each chamber, and five citizens appointed by the governor. Each year the LCCMR makes recommendations to the Legislature on project funding. 

ENRTF dollars have supported the Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (MN CREP), Farm Bill Assistance, Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR), and many other environment and natural resources projects and programs. Many of the projects, programs, and initiatives that RPBCWD undertakes to protect and restore our lakes, streams, and wetlands are funded in part by ENTRF. 

Voting “yes” supports continuation of the ENRTF to fund protection of drinking water and the water quality of our lakes and streams, conservation of wildlife habitat, and expanded access to parks and trails. Failure to vote on the amendment on your ballot will have the same effect at voting “no.” 

Learn more about the ENRTF at legacy.mn.gov/environment-natural-resources-trust-fund.