Minnesota Agencies

Advise on administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act, and foster coordination and cooperation. The Clean Water Legacy Act was created to facilitate compliance with the federal Clean Water Act's requirements to protect, restore, and preserve the quality of Minnesota's surface waters. Preparation of an implementation plan and biennial work plans for setting priorities to address impaired waters, with first plan due December 1, 2006. Recommends to the Governor how money from the legacy account should be distributed, reports to the legislature on how the money has been spent, and advises on appropriate processes for scientific review.

The Clean Water Council was created through the Clean Water Legacy Act which was signed into law June 2, 2006. The Council's role is to advise on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act, including:

- Fostering coordination among public agencies and private entities to ensure cooperation with relevant plans and programs.
- Prioritization strategies for TMDLs, restoration and protection activities.
- Development of appropriate processes for expert scientific review.
- Development of education and participation strategies for citizens and stakeholders. (from the Council's web page 5/8/09)

The Clean Water Council was reviewed by the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy (LCPFP) in 2013 as part of their biennial duty required by Minn. Stat. 3.885 Subd. 11. The LCPFP's 2013 Recommendations called for keeping the council.

The Commissioners of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Health, and the Pollution Control Agency, the Executive Director of the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, and the Metropolitan Council shall each appoint one person from their respective entity to serve as a nonvoting member of the council. Two members of the House of Representatives, including one member from the majority party and one member from the minority party, appointed by the Speaker and two senators, including one member from the majority party and one member from the minority party, appointed according to the rules of the Senate shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority as nonvoting members of the council. Members appointed under this paragraph serve as nonvoting members of the council.

Seventeen voting members of the council shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:
(1) two members representing statewide farm organizations;
(2) two members representing business organizations;
(3) two members representing environmental organizations;
(4) one member representing soil and water conservation districts;
(5) one member representing watershed districts;
(6) one member representing nonprofit organizations focused on improvement of Minnesota lakes or streams;
(7) two members representing organizations of county governments, one member representing the interests of rural counties and one member representing the interests of counties in the seven-county metropolitan area;
(8) two members representing organizations of city governments;
(9) one member representing township officers;
(10) one member representing the interests of tribal governments;
(11) one member representing statewide hunting organizations; and
(12) one member representing statewide fishing organizations.