Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Keith Hanson and Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt to the Clean Water Council.

Hanson, of Duluth, is a senior consultant with Barr Engineering. He brings over 30 years of experience with water quality and regulatory policy to the council. Hanson is a member of a number of professional organizations dedicated to water quality including, the Federal Water Quality Coalition and Federal Stormwater Association. He is a member of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's industrial stormwater work group, stormwater steering committee, pollutant trading work group and represents the water industry on the Minnesota Environmental Initiatives Environmental Stakeholder Process G-16 Work Group. Hanson holds a bachelor of science degree in forestry from the University of Minnesota. He is appointed as a business representative to fulfill a four-year term that expires January 3, 2011 and replaces David Jeronimus on the council.

Reinhardt, of St. Paul, is a Ramsey County Commissioner representing Maplewood, North St. Paul, White Bear Lake and the Hillcrest area of St. Paul. She has a long history of supporting environmental issues, including serving as a founding board member of the Recycling Association of Minnesota, and chairing the City of White Bear Lake’s Recycling Advisory Committee. Reinhardt earned her bachelor of arts and master of business administration degrees from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul. Reinhard is appointed as a representative of metro area counties to fulfill a four-year term that expires January 5, 2009. She replaces Bob Vogel on the council.

The Clean Water Council was created by the legislature in 2006 to provide advice on how to administer and implement the Clean Water Legacy Act, including making recommendations to the Governor on the appropriation of funds in the Clean Water Legacy Account. The council consists of 23 members, including 19 appointed by the Governor.