(January 18, 2001) A recommendation to fund 56 natural resource and environmental projects at a cost of $49 million was presented by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources to the House Environment & Natural Resources Finance Committee at its Jan. 17 meeting.

Notable among the commission's recommendations is the funding of nearly $11.75 million for a project to "restore and acquire fragmented landscape corridors that connect areas of quality habitat to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants."

This is the largest amount ever recommended for one project in the commission's history.

These funds would be augmented by $8.34 million from a collaborative of 14 public and nonprofit organizations, including such diverse groups as the Minnesota Waterfowl Association, The Nature Conservancy, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the U.S. Forest Service.

"This is a watershed in terms of fish and wildlife acquisition," said John Velin, staff director of the commission. The project will directly affect more than two-thirds of the state when it's completed.

Most of the funding-$34.62 million-for this and other commission recommendations comes from the Minnesota Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund.

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