Technical Evaluation Panel

DNR

Quick Facts

Recipient: 
DNR
Source: 
Outdoor Heritage Fund
Recipient Type: 
State Government
Status: 
In Progress
Activity Type: 
Technical Assistance

The purpose of this program is to annually evaluate a sample of Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects and provide a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law.

State law (M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6) directs restoration evaluations to be conducted on habitat restoration projects completed with funds from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (M.S. 97A.056). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) are responsible for convening a Restoration Evaluation Panel containing at least five technical experts who will evaluate a sample of up to 10 habitat restoration projects annually. The Panel will evaluate the restorations relative to the law, current science, stated goals and standards in the restoration plans, and applicable guidelines. Annual reports will be provided to the legislature and governing councils on the findings of the panel, determining whether restorations are meeting planned goals, identifying problems with implementation of restorations and, if necessary, providing recommendations on improving restorations. The law provides for the use of up to one-tenth of one percent of forecasted receipts from the fund to support this work.

About the Issue

Passage of the Legacy Amendment reinforces the state’s continuing efforts to conserve the diversity of lands, waters, and fish and wildlife that provide the foundation for Minnesota’s high quality of life and also brings strong expectations for a greater level of transparency and accountability in the use of these public funds. The restoration evaluation program intends to increase accountability and transparency in the use of Legacy Funds by formalizing and elevating the process of assessing project performance and reporting findings to stakeholders. Site assessment teams will use project appropriate assessment measures to ensure established science based best practices are being applied on the ground in selected Legacy Fund restoration projects. This level of assessment goes beyond standard reporting requirements and exceeds operational capacity of most programs. This program also increases the communication of specific project outcomes and lessons learned from restoration implementation. Reports will focus on improving future restorations by providing feedback to practitioners regarding challenging situations and viable solutions. Creation of this continuous learning environment provides an important tool for improving restoration practice throughout the state.

Status: 
In Progress
Start Date: 
July 2012
End Date: 
June 2014

Project Details by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year(s): 
2013
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 6(b)
Appropriation Language 

$45,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct up to ten restoration evaluations under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 10.

Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$45,000
Other Funds Leveraged: 
$0
Direct expenses: 
$43,300
Administration costs: 
$1,700
Number of full time equivalents funded: 
.44
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 

Two site assessment of Outdoor Heritage Fund restoration projects were conducted in the summer of 2012. Three projects will be reviewed by the evaluation panel to be presented in the fiscal year 2013 report.

Source of Additional Funds: 

n/a

Project Manager

Wade
Johnson
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Rd.
St. Paul
MN
55155
(651) 259-5075