Minnesota Legislature
2015 Environment and Natural Resouces Trust Fund Proposals Received - by Funding Priority Topic Area
Below proposals are listed within funding priority topic areas in rank order based on preliminary staff evaluation.
In response to the 2015 Request for Proposal (RFP), due March 28, 2014, 152 proposals requesting a total of approximately $126.3 million were received. This RFP process is for funding available beginning July 1, 2015. For that period, approximately $44 million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is currently expected to be available to recommend for project funding.
The LCCMR will be reviewing, evaluating, and ranking all proposals received. On June 4, 10, or 11, the LCCMR is scheduled to select a subset of proposals to receive further consideration and to invite in to present before the Commission. Proposal presentations for those invited are scheduled to occur June 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26 - dates are as needed depending on the number of proposals selected to present to the Commission. Check the LCCMR schedule for the most up-to-date information on important process dates.
Visit the 2015 Proposal & Funding Process Main Page for additional information.
Click here for print-ready list of 2015 proposals received - listed by category with project summaries (19-page PDF file).
Viewing Proposals
- Click on the "last name" of the proposal to view the full proposal.
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| ENRTF ID # | Last Name | First Name | Project Title | Organization | $ Requested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information (RECEIVED: 32 proposals/subtotal = $19,712,775 ) |
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| 001-A | Setterholm | Dale | MGS Geologic Atlases to Support Natural Resource Management [Continuation] | U of MN - MN Geological Survey | $2,040,000 |
| 002-A | Converse | Carmen | Minnesota Biological Survey [Continuation] | MN DNR | $3,500,000 |
| 003-A | Kloiber | Steve | Completing the National Wetland Inventory Update for Minnesota [Continuation] | MN DNR | $2,772,610 |
| 004-A | Baker | Richard | Endangered Bats, White-Nose Syndrome, and Forest Habitat | MN DNR | $1,269,546 |
| 005-A | Barker | Keith | Integrating Minnesotas Biodiversity Data: a Comprehensive, Dynamic Atlas | Bell Museum of Natural History | $339,750 |
| 006-A | Falteisek | Jan | County Geologic Atlas Continuation for Water Resource Sustainability [Continuation] | MN DNR | $2,542,389 |
| 007-A | Henderson | Carrol | Contaminants in Minnesotas Loons and Pelicans-Phase 3 | MN DNR | $141,000 |
| 008-A | Quinn | Edward | Reintroduction/Interpretation of Bison in Minnesota State Parks | MN DNR | $797,718 |
| 009-A | Oberhauser | Karen | Effects of Grazing Versus Fire for Prairie Management | U of MN | $414,064 |
| 010-A | Boe | Kathleen | St. Anthony Falls Lock Closure: Assessing Ecological Impact | Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership | $148,093 |
| 011-A | Blair | Robert | Minnesota Native Bee Atlas: A Citizen Science Project | U of MN | $790,000 |
| 012-A | Kapfer | Paul | Restoring Minnesota's Apex Weasel, the Fisher | Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe | $316,086 |
| 013-A | Moen | Ron | Genetic and Camera Techniques to Estimate Carnivore Populations | U of MN - Duluth NRRI | $236,326 |
| 014-A | Martell | Mark | Creating a Statewide Wetland Bird Survey | Audubon Minnesota | $146,520 |
| 015-A | Venturelli | Paul | Using Angler Smartphone Data to Benefit Aquatic Resources | U of MN | $322,633 |
| 016-A | McGuire | Jennifer | Turtle Population Dynamics in an Urban Lake | University of St. Thomas | $258,603 |
| 017-A | D'Angelo | Gino | Movements and Seasonal Habitat Use of Minnesota Elk | MN DNR | $250,242 |
| 018-A | Henderson | Bobby | Goblin Fern: Habitat Mitigation for Species Conservation | Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe | $61,040 |
| 019-A | Casper | Gary | Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in Lake Superior Basin | Great Lakes Ecological Services, LLC | $199,204 |
| 020-A | Falkowski | Michael | A Foundational Dataset Characterizing Historic Forest Disturbance Impacts | U of MN | $323,161 |
| 021-A | Heinicke | Matthew | Conservation Genetics of Minnesotas Rare Lizards and Snakes | University of Michigan (UM-Dearborn) | $224,341 |
| 022-A | Travis | Dominic | Unique Partnership Approach for Protecting Minnesotas Threatened Ecosystems | U of MN | $260,147 |
| 023-A | Russell | Matthew | A Web-Based Portal for Forest Ecosystem Health | U of MN | $130,018 |
| 024-A | Karwan | Diana | Hydrologic Effects of Contemporary Forest Practices in Minnesota | U of MN | $201,296 |
| 025-A | Ferrington | Leonard | Evaluation of Thermal Regimes For Optimizing Trout Habitats | U of MN | $450,489 |
| 026-A | LaRue | Michelle | Cougars in Minnesota: Management Strategies for Changing Ecosystems | U of MN | $263,230 |
| 027-A | Moen | Ron | LiDAR for Wildlife in Northeastern Minnesota | U of MN - Duluth NRRI | $99,717 |
| 028-A | Snell-Rood | Emilie | The Effect of Salt on Roadside Habitats | U of MN | $109,000 |
| 029-A | Johnson | Renee | Cooperative Public Land Survey/Cadastral Spatial Data Management | MN DNR | $500,000 |
| 030-A | ONeil | Thomas | Wildlife-Habitat Relationships in Minnesota | Northwest Habitat Institute | $397,124 |
| 031-A | Montgomery | Kent | Enhancing Future Forest Conservation Using Gullions Historic Research | Central Lakes College | $75,885 |
| 032-A | Wilmot | Neil | Silica Sand Mining and the Minnesota Economy | U of MN - Duluth | $132,543 |
| B. Water Resources (RECEIVED: 30 proposals/subtotal = $13,497,894 ) |
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| 033-B | Keeler | Bonnie | Informed Water Management: Mapping Scarcity,Threats, and Values | U of MN | $234,936 |
| 034-B | Hu | Bo | A Novel Biofilm Technology for Water Nutrient Removal | U of MN | $281,270 |
| 035-B | Valentas | Kenneth | Preventing Phosphorous from Entering Water Resources Through Draintiles | U of MN | $355,000 |
| 036-B | Schoenfuss | Heiko | Biological Consequences of Septic Pollution in Minnesota Lakes | St. Cloud State University | $364,427 |
| 037-B | Smith | Erik | Subsurface Drainage Impacts on Groundwater Recharge: Southeast Minnesota | U.S. Geological Survey | $488,394 |
| 038-B | Wammer | Kristine | Toxicity of Fragrances to Native Fish and Mussels | University of St. Thomas | $219,572 |
| 039-B | Barney | Brett | Expanding Biofertilizers for Responsible Nitrogen Application | U of MN | $568,000 |
| 040-b | Sadowsky | Michael | Woodchip Bioreactors Controling Sulfate, Nitrate, and Phosphorus Runoff | U of MN | $638,000 |
| 041-B | Hobbie | Sarah | Determining Stormwater Pollution Sources to Improve Urban Waters | U of MN | $538,000 |
| 042-B | Sheaffer | Craig | Reducing Nitrogen Pollution in Groundwater with Perennial Grasses | U of MN | $482,186 |
| 043-B | Hondzo | Miki | Enhanced Microbial Nitrate Removal in Minnesota Waters | U of MN | $333,763 |
| 044-B | Wackett | Lawrence | Solving Problems From Pesticides and Spills in Minnesota | U of MN | $440,000 |
| 045-B | Ellison | Christopher | Using Hydroacoustics to Monitor Sediment in Minnesotas Rivers | U.S. Geological Survey | $455,663 |
| 046-B | Abbas | Abdennour | Autonomous Chemical Sensor for Water Toxicants Monitoring | U of MN | $320,000 |
| 047-B | Drewitz | Matt | Southeastern Minnesota Cover Crop and Soil Health Initiatives | Board of Water and Soil Resources | $253,000 |
| 048-B | Maciej | Gerry | Achieving Minnesotas Groundwater Sustainability Through Irrigation Efficiencies | Benton Soil and Water Conservation District | $431,100 |
| 049-B | Wang | Ping | Wireless Biosensing for Monitoring of Aquatic Ecosystems | U of MN | $981,249 |
| 050-B | Zhang | Kechun | Integrated Algae Process for Value-Added Fuels and Chemicals | U of MN | $919,662 |
| 051-B | Clark | Ryan | Conservation Reference Watersheds within the Minnesota River Basin | Renville County SWCD | $699,820 |
| 052-B | Garono | Ralph | Mapping and Classifying North Shore Vernal Pools | U of MN - Duluth NRRI | $525,846 |
| 053-B | Meschke | Linda | Tile Outlet Treatment Trains to Improve Water Quality | Rural Advantage | $514,394 |
| 054-B | Small | Gaston | Removing Excess Phosphorus in Urban Lakes through Hydroponics | University of St. Thomas | $174,046 |
| 055-B | Garono | Ralph | Nutrient Dead-Zone Interactions in the St. Louis Estuary | U of MN - Duluth Large Lakes Observatory | $550,200 |
| 056-B | Kluckhohn | Rebecca | Lake Management Guidance, Strategies to Reduce Internal Loads | Clearwater River Watershed District | $233,900 |
| 057-B | Julius | Matt | Reducing Dairy Plant Impact on Water Quality | St. Cloud State University | $499,733 |
| 058-B | Montgomery | Kent | Developing and Implementing Watershed-level Protection Strategies for Lakes | Central Lakes College | $192,863 |
| 059-B | Anglo | Kathleen | Improving Water Quality, Daylighting Trout Brook | City of Saint Paul | $400,000 |
| 060-B | Schaum | Jessica | Shoreview Water Consumption and Groundwater Awareness Project | City of Shoreview | $54,470 |
| 061-B | Innes | Alister | Replace Chemical Hazards in Products; Reduce Emerging Contaminants | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency | $1,039,600 |
| 062-B | Johnson | Margaret | Crow River Erosion Analysis and Targeted Implementation Project | Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District | $308,800 |
| C. Environmental Education (RECEIVED: 18 proposals/subtotal = $8,384,448 ) |
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| 063-C | Luce | Don | Inspiring Citizen Action to Control Aquatic Invasive Species | Bell Museum of Natural History | $239,215 |
| 064-C | Hamilton | Patrick | MNwatch: A Major New Exhibit About Minnesotas Environment | Science Museum of Minnesota | $1,085,000 |
| 065-C | Ponder | Julia | Hunter's Choice: Alternative Ammunition | U of MN | $132,557 |
| 066-C | Lenczewski | John | Connecting Students with Watersheds through Hands-On Learning | Minnesota Trout Unlimited | $437,195 |
| 067-C | Svien | Lawrence | Building 8 Zumbro Watershed Recreational Learning Stewardship Sites | Zumbro Watershed Partnership | $356,920 |
| 068-C | Kay | Adam | Stewardship Science: Enhancing education in Underserved Urban Communities | University of St. Thomas | $111,887 |
| 069-C | Anderson | Neil | Reed Canary Grass Threat to the Tension Zone | U of MN | $538,968 |
| 070-C | Vlasak | Raymond | Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge Outdoor Youth Learning Program | Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. | $118,600 |
| 071-C | Nerbonne | Julia | Be The Spark: Experiential Youth Development | Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light | $576,377 |
| 072-C | Thommes | Judy | Youth Energy Education: Making Energy Conservation Fun! | Center for Energy and Environment | $162,000 |
| 073-C | Freese | Joan | Splash Screen: SciGirls Exploring Watersheds Using Mobile Technologies | Twin Cities Public Television | $187,400 |
| 074-C | Mercer-Taylor | Beth | Water Journey Camps | U of MN | $25,138 |
| 075-C | Martinez | Cecilia | Zenteotl-Community Empowerment Through Urban Agriculture | Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy | $382,887 |
| 076-C | Hall | Patricia | Race to Reduce: Replicating Success! | H2O for Life, Inc | $82,500 |
| 077-C | Eldred | Craig | City of Waconia Fountain Park Storm Water Education | City of Waconia | $52,415 |
| 078-C | Kaminski | Timmothy | Assessing Carcass Disposal Assistance for Reducing Wolf-Cattle Conflicts | Howling For Wolves | $72,000 |
| 079-C | Bodette | Dan | Community and Field-Based Environmental Learning Model | School of Environmental Studies | $388,274 |
| 080-C | Homan | Ed | Regional Mattress Recycling: Reducing Landfill Use, Recovering Resources | McLeod County | $3,435,115 |
| D. Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species (RECEIVED: 15 proposals/subtotal = $24,347,412 ) |
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| 081-D | Buhr | Brian | Minnesota Terrestrial Invasive Species Research Center | U of MN | $14,937,920 |
| 082-D | D'Amato | Anthony | Emerald Ash Borer Ecological/Hydrological Impacts - Phase 2 | U of MN | $420,408 |
| 083-D | Becker | Roger | Biological Control of Canada Thistle | U of MN | $300,000 |
| 084-D | Blanchette | Robert | Preventing a New Disease of Pines in Minnesota | U of MN | $371,840 |
| 085-D | Aukema | Brian | Minnesotas Newest Invasion: European Gypsy Moth is Here | U of MN | $350,000 |
| 086-D | Henquinet | Jeffrey | Mobile Ballast Water Treatment System for Great Lakes | Izaak Walton League of America | $1,006,200 |
| 087-D | Phelps | Nicholas | Small Fish, Big Problem: Understanding Minnesotas Baitfish Industry | U of MN | $236,526 |
| 088-D | Hicks | Randall | Forecasting Microbial Invasions: Muskie Pox and VHS Virus | U of MN | $467,589 |
| 089-D | Sadowsky | Michael | Biocontrol of Eurasian Water Milfoil Based on DNA Sequencing | U of MN | $574,000 |
| 090-D | Cotner | James | Using CO2 to Control Fish in Shallow Lakes | U of MN | $505,000 |
| 091-D | Frohnauer | Nick | Minnesota Asian Carp Action Plan Implementation | MN DNR | $4,359,517 |
| 092-D | Hibbard | Calder | Minnesotas Forest Health Threats: Terrestrial Invasive Species | Minnesota Forest Resources Council | $308,322 |
| 093-D | Matthews | Thomas | Treatment of Emerald Ash Borer-infested Ash Trees | Phyllom BioProducts Corporation | $120,000 |
| 094-D | Larson | Chris | Ash Tree Preservation: Environmental Education & Stewardship | City of Oakdale | $85,590 |
| 095-D | Shneider | Joseph | Prepackaged AIS Thermal Decontamination Program for Water-Related Equipment | MN Coalition of Lake Associations | $304,500 |
| E. Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy (RECEIVED: 21 proposals/subtotal = $12,985,267 ) |
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| 096-E | Levenson-Falk | Annie | Ending Minnesota Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fossil Fuels | Legislative Energy Commission | $1,500,000 |
| 097-E | Hu | Bo | Electrochemical Micro-Aeration for Hydrogen Sulfide Removal from Biogas | U of MN | $316,754 |
| 098-E | Montgomery | Rebecca | Tree Productivity and Health Depend on Cold Winters | U of MN | $241,568 |
| 099-E | Reich | Peter | Managing for "Climate-Smart" Trees and Forests | U of MN | $457,953 |
| 100-E | David | Andrew | Development of Forest Seed Transfer Guidelines for Minnesota | U of MN | $327,602 |
| 101-E | McCormick | Alon | Renewable and Sustainable Fertilizers Produced Locally | U of MN | $1,620,000 |
| 102-E | Nagel | Linda | Making Minnesota Forests More Resilient to Climate Change | U of MN | $396,872 |
| 103-E | Goldberg | Louise | Housing Clusters Consuming Less Electricity Than They Generate | U of MN | $195,000 |
| 104-E | Dutcher | Cari | Lake and River Spray Impacts on Minnesota Climate | U of MN | $516,000 |
| 105-E | Hemmingsen | Richard | Optimizing Environmental and Economic Value of Harvested Cattails | U of MN | $1,545,750 |
| 106-E | Davy | Ray | Reducing Land Applied Agricultural Waste in SE Minnesota | Agri-Waste Energy Operations | $504,385 |
| 107-E | Gerard | Gena | Reducing Wood Smoke: Protecting Our Health and Environment | Environmental Initiative | $1,116,570 |
| 108-E | Hong | Jiarong | Assessing Environmental Impact of Wind Turbines in Minnesota | U of MN | $528,000 |
| 109-E | Current | Dean | Zero-Waste Aquaponic System for Fish and Vegetable Production | U of MN | $906,400 |
| 110-E | Northrop | William | Reducing Emissions from Open Burning through Biomass Gasification | U of MN | $268,188 |
| 111-E | Slesak | Robert | Soil Frost and Sustainable Forestry Under Varying Climate | U of MN | $305,000 |
| 112-E | Becker | Dennis | In-Woods Biomass Drying to Increase Energy Value | U of MN | $194,550 |
| 113-E | Current | Dean | BMP Portfolio for Non-forest Biomass for Bioenergy | U of MN | $213,250 |
| 114-E | Green | Jim | Duluth Steam Energy Efficiency Project | City of Duluth | $153,360 |
| 115-E | Oskoui | Kazem | Restorative Integrated Resource Management at Prospect | Clark Engineering Corporation | $499,440 |
| 116-E | Thomas | Steve | Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Solid Waste | The NetWork for Better Futures d/b/a Better Futures Minnesota | $1,178,625 |
| F. Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat (RECEIVED: 19 proposals/subtotal = $7,211,764 ) |
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| 117-F | Johnson | Lucinda | Prioritizing Future Management of North Shore Trout Streams | U of MN - Duluth NRRI | $416,411 |
| 118-F | Perrine | Rich | Thirteen Counties Propagating Native Plants, Restoring Diverse Habitats | Martin SWCD | $495,000 |
| 119-F | Remucal | David | Preserving and Protecting Minnesota's 48 Native Orchid Species | U of MN - Landscape Arboretum | $167,700 |
| 120-F | Griffis | Timothy | Forecasting the Intensity and Spread of Minnesotas Wildfires | U of MN | $184,080 |
| 121-F | Buck | Wiley | MeCC VIII: Restoration for Climate Resilience, Pollinators, Working Lands | Great River Greening | $459,000 |
| 122-F | Hoek | Tabor | Conservation Assistance Acceleration Project | Board of Water and Soil Resources | $1,500,000 |
| 123-F | Wisenden | Brian | MSU Moorhead Science Center Restoration & Monitoring | Moorhead State University | $527,760 |
| 124-F | Herb | William | Prioritizing Walleye Spawning Habitat Restoration in Minnesota Lakes | U of MN | $277,235 |
| 125-F | Erwin | John | Building "Pollinator Friendly" Landscapes | U of MN | $225,714 |
| 126-F | Lewanski | Tom | MeCC VIII: FMR Restoring Prairie and Forest Habitat | Friends of the Mississippi River | $276,482 |
| 127-F | Rudolf | Sarah | Empowered Citizens Improve 5 Urban Forests: Statewide Model | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency | $835,342 |
| 128-F | Kleist | Christopher | Flood Recovery on Sargent Creek Duluth Habitat Restoration | City of Duluth | $398,000 |
| 129-F | Ryun | Debra | Shoreland Protection for the Lower St. Croix River | St. Croix River Association | $190,300 |
| 130-F | Hoganson | Howard | Transitioning Pine Plantations to Multi-Aged, Mixed-Species Pine Stands | U of MN | $260,222 |
| 131-F | Erwin | John | Building Ecologically-Sound Landscapes in Our Communities | U of MN | $241,828 |
| 132-F | Singer | Alan | Integrating Agriculture with Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat | Dakota County | $300,000 |
| 133-F | Hoganson | Howard | Recognizing Full Value of Pine Restoration | U of MN | $177,278 |
| 134-F | Arvidson | Adam | Ecological Management Plans for Vegetation and Water | Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board | $204,412 |
| 135-F | Erickson | Mark | Redwood/Renville County Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Master Plan | Redwood County and Renville County | $75,000 |
| G. Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation (RECEIVED: 16 proposals/subtotal = $40,057,901 ) |
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| 136-G | Stefferud | Arne | Metropolitan Regional Park System Land Acquisition Phase 4 | Metropolitan Council | $3,000,000 |
| 137-G | Booth | Peggy | SNA Acquisition, Restoration, Enhancement and Public Engagement | MN DNR | $6,315,700 |
| 138-G | Garms | Jason | Native Prairie Stewardship & Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition | MN DNR | $6,450,162 |
| 139-G | Christie | Jennifer | State Parks and State Trails Land Acquisitions | MN DNR | $2,000,000 |
| 140-G | Peterson | Richard | Protecting the Pineland Sands Aquifer | MN DNR | $2,006,856 |
| 141-G | Loon | Deborah | MeCC VIII: Priority Expansion Minnesota Valley NWRefuge | Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. | $500,000 |
| 142-G | Manzoline | Robert | Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to Ely Phase 2 | St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority | $1,000,000 |
| 143-G | Rivers | Patrick | MeCC VIII: MN DNR Metro Conservation Corridors 8, Ecological Landscapes | MN DNR | $530,000 |
| 144-G | Salus | Danielle | MeCC VIII: TPLs Strategic Land Protection Program | The Trust for Public Land | $1,000,000 |
| 145-G | Curry | John | MeCC VIII: Ecological Landscapes - Overall, Mapping and Coordination | Minnesota Land Trust | $40,000 |
| 146-G | Singer | Alan | MeCC VIII: Dakota County Riparian and Lakeshore Protection | Dakota County | $600,000 |
| 147-G | West | Paula | Multi-benefit Watershed Scale Conservation on North Central Lakes | Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation | $1,225,750 |
| 148-G | Curry | John | MeCC VIII: Metro Conservation Corridors 8 Ecological Landscapes | Minnesota Land Trust | $882,500 |
| 149-G | Damon | Susan | Enhanced Access to Isolated State Lands | MN DNR | $1,017,397 |
| 150-G | Johnson | Mark | Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water Supply Protection Project | Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System | $11,460,000 |
| 151-G | Vandelinde | Aaron | Preserving Old-Growth Forests on School Lands | MN DNR | $2,029,536 |
| H. Pass-thru Contract Management (RECEIVED: 1 proposals/subtotal = $135,000 ) |
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| 152-H | Graeber | Amanda | Contract Management | MN DNR | $135,000 |