[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6325028,"mediaKeyId","2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d","parentId",2335147,"title","DNR outlines organization, budget and program footprint to House committee","audioSeconds",1081,"startMs",83000,"endMs",1164000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d&start=83&end=1164","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d/thumbnail_83000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325028/Minnesota/DNR-outlines-organization-budget-and-program-footprint-to-House-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325028-ebc3096b87969a4c6f9d75963f2ce5dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061688&Signature=iyIL7U2pW1OuqopakVBxNurgnLScPEUx~PoNMniEH9RAUgARu-NvIs3etkXgPTUxl~VQC6chVNfTCdyF6~5juj99shT50H587YCTGSxa~aY4KZxSOb3z1fmMoMe6NKvV9R-~yjGbLM0-eyOYJ-EQRLlqboqRapDd4OB60Kj1WJF8KZ~tkHAz9bXlNO7VaMyx6jrMovyCnXfWGEjYbGG3vRg5Yk8xeo0jkXkRpDQvQuGGbQNc2ykjNno95gnVgT74rWgYU6agmg2EpKJTDUD7uBjXsqfu20JmCrp8yytHnqNm3EPg6KzS9Jc1eMQmLKh2C2Ms5PyrftSyl2wYPwuzwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MNHouseInfo","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources told the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee that the department’s work is structured around recreation, economic development and natural-resource protection.

“The mission of the DNR is to work with and I repeat with Minnesotans to conserve and manage the CH natural resources to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable life,” Meyer said as he described the agency’s organizational chart and divisional responsibilities.

The agency reported about 3,100 full‑time equivalent staff when seasonal workers are averaged, roughly 2,850 reporting worksites and more than 2,900 owned or leased buildings statewide. Meyer said the DNR operates 64 state parks, 60 state forests, nine state recreation areas and nine state trails; it also manages 1,700 public water‑access sites and roughly 812,000 registered boats in the state.

Meyer summarized the department’s FY 2024–25 budget as spread across more than 50 funds, with the natural-resources funds (game and fish, water‑related accounts and similar user fees) and federal grants making up substantial shares. He said the general fund accounted for about 30% of the DNR’s budget in 2024–25 and that “large amount[s] of one time funding comes into the department and leaves through the department from the legacy funds and the environmental trust fund, outdoor heritage fund, parks trails fund, clean water fund, LCCMR.”

Meyer reviewed divisional activities: lands and minerals (managing 5.6 million acres of state lands and mineral leasing), ecological and water resources (including scientific and natural areas, aquatic invasive species inspections and groundwater permitting), forestry (reforestation and wildfire response), parks and trails (1.14 million overnight visitors in 2023 and 5,000+ campsites), fish and wildlife (1,500 WMAs covering about 1.3 million acres and ongoing hatchery work), and enforcement (54 conservation officer districts and 51,000 safety certifications annually).

On enforcement and public contacts Meyer highlighted non‑citation interactions the DNR uses for outreach: “If you’re fortunate enough to have your grandkids or children in your boat and they’re wearing their life jackets, I’ll give them a coupon for a ice cream cone or something like that. So it’s really creating those contacts.”

Meyer closed by reiterating the department’s commitment to work with local governments, tribes and the Legislature on conservation and resource management.

The committee directed questions about specific programs — groundwater areas, public waters inventory, reforestation grants, aquatic invasive species inspections and chronic wasting disease — to DNR staff for follow up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources told the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee that the department’s work is structured around recreation, economic development and natural‑resource protection.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325009,"BWSR briefs committee on conservation programs, CREP expansion and federal funding risks",862,3101000,3963000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d&start=3101&end=3963","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d/thumbnail_3101000.jpg","/articles/6325009/Minnesota/BWSR-briefs-committee-on-conservation-programs-CREP-expansion-and-federal-funding-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325009-7a4e00895f5cd3c238ccc6c964f9b393/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061687&Signature=O9OCOVvnQu4d1pANACf2sbYfLjhj9FCujTaAUVx4IR-LHEtwBuv73V1jB2ffbhsdgx6309-ES0g8VCtpd-DRfNOiAgRclbCPWpyEmS8EtjgubdknnK830rQMQksO-dTiPYJBe8Xr8B0TOpsL9n4mW0oLjFH4u~zmEwkNcstVhOEtlXoPqh1ZguCbYF9E5XB4ieKIcH0DcwfCj3nVD7XETcIZXt4L9Yqijr-RheX8aUkx3IXP3IR~4o-dmUGu4rlFwcy7fHD~WVrrt1WN21GEEK7DLh03TplwbZmr-KshDBpcY~T9JefGaqppPX8rwvFE~0Luc9KRqj1KvBU6f-MMlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Jasky, executive director of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and Assistant Director Andrea Fish told the House committee that BWSR’s core role is delivering conservation programs on privately held land through a network of local governments and partners.

“The vision of BWSR is that all of Minnesota benefits from lands and waters that are ecologically and economically sustainable,” Andrea Fish said in the committee presentation as she described the agency’s mission and local delivery model.

Jasky described several recent investments and federal partnerships: a $25 million USDA contribution to soil‑health work contracted through BWSR over five years; a prospective $21 million federal agreement to supplement state water‑storage funding; and an expansion of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to add 12 counties and increase acreage caps and eligible practices. He said the CREP update also adjusted the federal‑to‑state leveraging ratio to 7:3.

When asked about federal funding risk, Jasky said the three agreements are at different stages: the soil‑health contract is signed, the water‑storage agreement was prepared but not finalized, and CREP relies on CRP enrollments in the federal Farm Bill, which the agency said is currently in a pause that prevents new CRP enrollments. Jasky added that USDA Soil Conservation Service layoffs of probationary staff will reduce federal capacity in many local offices.

Representative Paul Jacob and others raised questions about the cost and pace of implementing the one‑watershed, one‑plan approach; Jasky defended the watershed approach as “targeting” work to deliver measurable public benefits. He said the agency would provide committee members with data on implementation costs and local adoption upon request.

BWSR closed by asking the committee to note the local delivery model — SWCDs, watershed districts and counties — and to consider the operational impacts if federal partners are unable to sustain staffing or contract reimbursements.

No votes were taken; committee members requested follow‑up information on federal agreements, staffing impacts and the economic effects of conservation investments.","The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) described its role delivering voluntary conservation programs on private land, discussed recent federal partnerships (soil health funding, water‑storage grants and CREP expansion), and warned members that federal program pauses and recent NRCS staffing layoffs could interrupt delivery.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325014,"DNR: Shade‑tree bond grants largely on hold pending OLA review of environmental‑justice criteria",102,2067000,2169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d&start=2067&end=2169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d/thumbnail_2067000.jpg","/articles/6325014/Minnesota/DNR-Shadetree-bond-grants-largely-on-hold-pending-OLA-review-of-environmentaljustice-criteria","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325014-603db325af7f4a7c6a143345fd0bd200/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061687&Signature=MA8sZ5eLLqVP5Fy~-yZ4emennNaBI9PQLyO8GW5b6FHx46nOA7878uUmtXOjFv-C~-dKd9wZ78LdS0Z~L29ys2ZjrYsPPRf3USQR5R-JKTFNlwei0aLBwt54dlli1u7HjUpXKyLLPtevhh1arOEjsf~sdghpUGFaPpUZGjRWgIpkl1Q3gnn~eB-pqhsYPJy2NwuxZNExvN2fyNqrPl7f9eUVtVLnoiLNJTkT1C5m83aTk68vV23U-kd~sN0WH9fFTUgIBPdzVCu-Tog8AFg0TNPC3mtIeBBcAK7PCGGBBxQXqXIGQkIVJdxau7-UlrgHhWBZCIQhMyePy~2vxC-fHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jamie Finke asked the Department of Natural Resources about state tree‑planting funds that were authorized in recent biennia and whether the money had been spent.

“We received $16,800,000 in requests,” Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer said of the shade‑tree (shade tree/shade show) grant program and related bond funds. He told the committee that some funds had been let out but “the bulk of them are on hold due to a legislative inquiry to the OLA on criteria that we're using to justify environmental justice areas.”

Meyer said DNR was closing out a prior $1 million program from 2020–24 and that other bond‑authorized funds remain paused until the Office of the Legislative Auditor provides guidance on the criteria the department used to classify environmental‑justice areas for grant awards. He also said that the agency wants to ensure those grant decisions comply with legislative intent and auditing guidance before distributing additional funds.

Representative Finke requested further information and follow‑up on the hold; DNR staff agreed to provide details when available. No formal action was taken at the hearing.","Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer told lawmakers the bulk of requests for the shade‑tree bond program are on hold after a legislative auditor inquiry about environmental‑justice criteria; DNR said it had received more requests than available funding and is closing earlier grant cycles while awaiting auditor direction.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325018,"DNR says public waters inventory work funded, five staff hired; tribal consultation ongoing",96,1395000,1491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d&start=1395&end=1491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d/thumbnail_1395000.jpg","/articles/6325018/Minnesota/DNR-says-public-waters-inventory-work-funded-five-staff-hired-tribal-consultation-ongoing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325018-91a03ebc97283eb76a4d5085c43934c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061687&Signature=OVNh3kG-wAxMugzx2gzegmR4G5jvwy-h0UEp8vxgQIoDPjX9XUXiusj5pkddlkKftSLo69SYrjzh8~qV0diJ5IyahtmbE1M1c~r2JhH0t-uBEv0UQ--cQc3Kw17lAzwlEfpKPmmfHuL~UXJYwUiC0WBWr1Ni0rctBG-emA~njON2Lxe4SQeds69-B8lGCApVHQ9-G5aA7H9TnwXCwBLZ3L-N6d8w5swxAoL9B3PhahuT6~oH88ufUMR~jJh~uXyWPOrUhJJa9TXoAPWuT42kpSzTSR9QNMYGzT9RmdPf0tvT3MYjmPFLNaGrjZtZEznvD0xCPUp6ZnhkzqCyzs7qXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Tim Purcell asked the DNR for a status report on the public waters inventory (PWI) work funded by the Legislature. Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer and staff said the project still has funding but requires more work before broad field rollout.

“We estimated that’s going to cost us about $81,000,000 a year for 8 years to get the work done,” Meyer told the committee, describing the agency’s estimate of the scale of the PWI effort and the timeline the department has been preparing for.

Meyer said the department has hired five staff for the review team and is developing a desktop tool with the state’s information technology office for county reviewers; he told lawmakers the tool should be available for testing in March. He said tribal consultation is underway because some bands are asking that the PWI not include on‑reservation waters, and that the department is developing training materials and a technical manual for reviewers.

Meyer said the DNR is considering whether to begin work in areas where prior reviews (such as 2017 PWI removals or less complex drainage areas) would permit a manageable early phase. The department committed to provide the committee with updates on rollout timing and said work would be scheduled with caution in places that present “bumpy spots.”

No formal vote was taken; the committee expects DNR to return with more detailed timing and rollout plans.","The Department of Natural Resources told lawmakers the public waters inventory update remains funded and underway, estimating about $81 million a year for eight years, hiring five FTEs and developing a desktop tool for county review; tribal consultation and decisions about whether to include reservation waters remain unresolved.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325023,"Committee presses DNR on delays in Little Rock Creek groundwater stakeholder engagement",143,1188000,1331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d&start=1188&end=1331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335147-9334a69cabba986c763f661919995e9d/thumbnail_1188000.jpg","/articles/6325023/Minnesota/Committee-presses-DNR-on-delays-in-Little-Rock-Creek-groundwater-stakeholder-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325023-0547589abd99b9c7496ffdcb68655cd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061687&Signature=E7ER3wPaiSpIqkwT8hb4BcjzeXU~jvtZEZNu11yD1WWu8mQnGDWfcVF-t5iP2N~Khoa6ZN6UOaGiMiY0a1R4Znchwymyt80Dw89zA~uxPy2M~Va5XCZpHV4cVTQYlZbJMiHGeVASSY7DoY6TT0O9QhnFN~fKELlsvcRNlED6ksGnZmCU-kiyu6RMTukQDp5R8Qq-NL4xDQLOMqMryyGzrq5geD24RwdpiHDcv~-Ei8D~ZN~jthfqD24KZWnp8no~hRenDAMuHidlsMk8wjXMBrF27BRI2hahuOJcyx765DegcCo5giH3FslLsGeoOGTe05qKPNAkmqHy0oay0tXIng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rep. Steve Schultz asked the Department of Natural Resources for a status update after constituents in the Little Rock Creek groundwater area reported they had not been engaged by a third‑party vendor hired to support local groundwater work.

“We are completely committed to working with the residents and the citizens in that area and making sure that their voices are heard,” Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer told the committee when asked whether the stakeholder engagement would be delayed and whether DNR would adjust timelines.

Schultz said residents feared the process was being built on out‑of‑area models rather than local input. Meyer said he would “get back to you on that information,” and that if front‑end work is delayed the department would extend timelines on the back end to ensure adequate engagement. He said that Jason Mekel from Ecological and Water Resources would follow up with the legislator and that DNR staff were coordinating with local Commissioner Popp on ground‑level knowledge.

The exchange underscored two recurring themes in the hearing: committee members pressing for clear public engagement timelines on groundwater management and the DNR’s repeated assurance that local stakeholders and tribal governments will be included in planning and technical work.

No formal action was taken at the hearing; DNR staff agreed to report back to the committee with more detailed scheduling and engagement information.","Representative Steve Schultz and other members pressed the DNR for an update on delayed stakeholder outreach tied to a third‑party review in the Little Rock Creek groundwater management area; Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer said the agency is committed to local engagement and will provide follow‑up on timelines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DNR outlines organization, budget and program footprint to House committee

BWSR briefs committee on conservation programs, CREP expansion and federal funding risks

DNR: Shade‑tree bond grants largely on hold pending OLA review of environmental‑justice criteria

DNR says public waters inventory work funded, five staff hired; tribal consultation ongoing

Committee presses DNR on delays in Little Rock Creek groundwater stakeholder engagement