The Environmental Quality Board’s Water Resources Committee has worked through EQB staff to develop the water priority areas for the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 biennium. These priorities are based on work done by seven locally-driven basin teams, and priorities identified by EQB member agencies in other water-related plans and documents.
The Water Resources Committee finalized the priorities in early June 2002, with Board approval taking place at its June 20, 2002 meeting. The priorities, along with approved resolution, were forwarded to the Commissioner of Finance and the Governor’s Office on June 26, 2002 to help inform preparation of the upcoming budgets.
The Board also found it important, should further cuts be required, to maintain key elements of the infrastructure of the state's water program.
While a number of factors will be considered in determining the biennial budget, the priorities represent a key step to securing Minnesota’s environmental and economic future.