Throwing pennies into the water can make things come true.

On Wednesday, July 1 the clean water, land, and legacy constitution amendment approved by voters last November kicks in.

Louis Smith, former chairman of the Clean Water Council, spoke today (Monday, June 29) at scenic spot overlooking the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers near Ft. Snelling to celebrate the advent of the 25-year Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment that will channel billions of dollars over its life span to cleaning up state waters, habitat protection and enhancement, other funding areas. The legislation, which languished in the Legislature for years, was controversial. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)
 

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Throwing pennies into the water can make things come true.

On Wednesday, July 1 the clean water, land, and legacy constitution amendment approved by voters last November kicks in.

The dedication hikes the state sales tax three-eighths of a percent, capturing hundreds of millions of dollars — billions over its 25-year lifespan — to clean up dingy state waters, protect and enhance wildlife habit, build park trails and foster the arts.

About 1.6 million voters voted "Yes” on the amendment last fall.

"It's been a long haul. And we've really struggled,” said Louis Smith, former chairman of the Clean Water Council and one of the environmental activists who gathered at the Twin Rivers Overlook — the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers blending below beneath the light brown walls of Fr. Snelling, to celebrate the dedication.

For decades, Minnesotans have neglected the state's rivers and lakes, Smith explained.

Indeed, the early soldiers at Ft. Snelling wrote in their diaries of the clear water that flowed by the fort, activists noted.

Century of abuse of water and land

Although cautioning the public that a century of abuse of water and land cannot be altered overnight — even to a degree cannot be wholly mitigated — Mike Kilgore, Chairman Lessard/Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, said Minnesotan will "absolutely” be able to immediate progress.

"We are looking for off-the-shelf, ready-to-go projects,” said Kilgore.

The council, created by the Minnesota Legislature to oversee the spending of dedication dollars, reviewed some 99 outdoor projects before settling on 18 as part of a $83 million appropriation.

All but 10 of the state's 87 counties will be impacted by council-approved projects, Kilgore said.

Local counties seeing council projects include Benton, Kanabec, Isanti, Anoka, Dakota, and Washington.

The council has another $71 million to be appropriated.

It's named after former state senator Bob Lessard, of International Falls, who struggled for years to achieve dedicated funding while serving in the Senate.

It is also named after the late state senator Dallas Sams of Staples, another advocate of dedicated funding who passed away from to brain cancer.

Dedication dollars

Dedication dollars flow into four funding areas: the outdoor heritage fund, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage.

In the upcoming two-year spending cycle, about $151 million will be slated toward clean water, about $65 million for park and trails, and about $93 million for the arts and cultural heritage.

Under the latter category the state historical society will see some $22 million.

Activists indicated that in scope and size the Minnesota clean water, land, and legacy constitution amendment dwarfs those in others states.

They also speak of accountability, saying the public will be able to track spending on an updated Web site.

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