Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
2015 ENRTF Proposals Received and Selected to Present - by Funding Priority Topic Area

2015 Environment and Natural Resouces Trust Fund Proposals Received and Selected to Present - by Funding Priority Topic Area

Below proposals are listed within funding priority topic areas in rank order based on preliminary staff evaluation.

In response to the 2015 Request for Proposal (RFP), due March 28, 2014, 152 proposals requesting a total of approximately $126.3 million were received. This RFP process is for funding available beginning July 1, 2015. For that period, approximately $44 million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is currently expected to be available to recommend for project funding.

The LCCMR reviewed, evaluated, and ranked all proposals received. On June 4, the LCCMR selected 76 proposals requesting a total of approximately $74.9 million to invite in for a presentation before the Commission for further consideration. Proposal presentations are scheduled for June 17, 18, 19, 25, and 26.

This selection represents the first phase in narrowing the proposals received in response to the 2015 RFP into what will be recommended for funding to the 2015 Minnesota Legislature. Proposal presentations facilitate the LCCMR's next phase of consideration for reaching a decision on July 8 and 9 about which projects will be recommended.

Check the LCCMR schedule for the most up-to-date information on important process dates.


Visit the 2015 Proposal & Funding Process Main Page for additional information.


Note About Proposal Listings
All proposals received in response to the 2014 RFP are listed below. Proposals that were selected on 09/18/13 to present before the Commission and receive further consideration are indicated with an "X" in the left-most "Selected to Present" column.

Click here for print-ready list of 2015 proposals selected to present to the LCCMR - listed by category with project summaries (17-page PDF file).

Viewing Proposals

  • Click on the "last name" of the proposal to view the full proposal.
  • To find specific proposals within the table you can use your browser's page-search function to search for a project by Project Manager 'Last Name', 'Project Title', or 'Organization'. In most browsers, the page-search function can be accessed under the browser's 'Edit' drop-down menu or by pressing 'Control+F' on a PC or 'Command+F' on a Mac.


Selected to Present ENRTF ID # Last Name First Name Project Title Organization $ Requested
A. Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information
(RECEIVED: 32 proposals/subtotal = $19,712,775 )
X 001-A Setterholm Dale MGS Geologic Atlases to Support Natural Resource Management [Continuation] U of MN - MN Geological Survey $2,040,000
X 002-A Converse Carmen Minnesota Biological Survey [Continuation] MN DNR $3,500,000
X 003-A Kloiber Steve Completing the National Wetland Inventory Update for Minnesota [Continuation] MN DNR $2,772,610
X 004-A Baker Richard Endangered Bats, White-Nose Syndrome, and Forest Habitat MN DNR $1,269,546
X 005-A Barker Keith Integrating Minnesotas Biodiversity Data: a Comprehensive, Dynamic Atlas Bell Museum of Natural History $339,750
X 006-A Falteisek Jan County Geologic Atlas Continuation for Water Resource Sustainability [Continuation] MN DNR $2,542,389
X 007-A Henderson Carrol Contaminants in Minnesotas Loons and Pelicans-Phase 3 MN DNR $141,000
X 008-A Quinn Edward Reintroduction/Interpretation of Bison in Minnesota State Parks MN DNR $797,718
X 009-A Oberhauser Karen Effects of Grazing Versus Fire for Prairie Management U of MN $414,064
X 010-A Boe Kathleen St. Anthony Falls Lock Closure: Assessing Ecological Impact Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership $148,093
X 011-A Blair Robert Minnesota Native Bee Atlas: A Citizen Science Project U of MN $790,000
  012-A Kapfer Paul Restoring Minnesota's Apex Weasel, the Fisher Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe $316,086
X 013-A Moen Ron Genetic and Camera Techniques to Estimate Carnivore Populations U of MN - Duluth NRRI $236,326
X 014-A Martell Mark Creating a Statewide Wetland Bird Survey Audubon Minnesota $146,520
  015-A Venturelli Paul Using Angler Smartphone Data to Benefit Aquatic Resources U of MN $322,633
X 016-A McGuire Jennifer Turtle Population Dynamics in an Urban Lake University of St. Thomas $258,603
X 017-A D'Angelo Gino Movements and Seasonal Habitat Use of Minnesota Elk MN DNR $250,242
X 018-A Henderson Bobby Goblin Fern: Habitat Mitigation for Species Conservation Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe $61,040
  019-A Casper Gary Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in Lake Superior Basin Great Lakes Ecological Services, LLC $199,204
X 020-A Falkowski Michael A Foundational Dataset Characterizing Historic Forest Disturbance Impacts U of MN $323,161
  021-A Heinicke Matthew Conservation Genetics of Minnesotas Rare Lizards and Snakes University of Michigan (UM-Dearborn) $224,341
  022-A Travis Dominic Unique Partnership Approach for Protecting Minnesotas Threatened Ecosystems U of MN $260,147
  023-A Russell Matthew A Web-Based Portal for Forest Ecosystem Health U of MN $130,018
X 024-A Karwan Diana Hydrologic Effects of Contemporary Forest Practices in Minnesota U of MN $201,296
  025-A Ferrington Leonard Evaluation of Thermal Regimes For Optimizing Trout Habitats U of MN $450,489
  026-A LaRue Michelle Cougars in Minnesota: Management Strategies for Changing Ecosystems U of MN $263,230
X 027-A Moen Ron LiDAR for Wildlife in Northeastern Minnesota U of MN - Duluth NRRI $99,717
  028-A Snell-Rood Emilie The Effect of Salt on Roadside Habitats U of MN $109,000
  029-A Johnson Renee Cooperative Public Land Survey/Cadastral Spatial Data Management MN DNR $500,000
  030-A ONeil Thomas Wildlife-Habitat Relationships in Minnesota Northwest Habitat Institute $397,124
X 031-A Montgomery Kent Enhancing Future Forest Conservation Using Gullions Historic Research Central Lakes College $75,885
  032-A Wilmot Neil Silica Sand Mining and the Minnesota Economy U of MN - Duluth $132,543
B. Water Resources
(RECEIVED: 30 proposals/subtotal = $13,497,894 )
X 033-B Keeler Bonnie Informed Water Management: Mapping Scarcity,Threats, and Values U of MN $234,936
X 034-B Hu Bo A Novel Biofilm Technology for Water Nutrient Removal U of MN $281,270
X 035-B Valentas Kenneth Preventing Phosphorous from Entering Water Resources Through Draintiles U of MN $355,000
X 036-B Schoenfuss Heiko Biological Consequences of Septic Pollution in Minnesota Lakes St. Cloud State University $364,427
X 037-B Smith Erik Subsurface Drainage Impacts on Groundwater Recharge: Southeast Minnesota U.S. Geological Survey $488,394
  038-B Wammer Kristine Toxicity of Fragrances to Native Fish and Mussels University of St. Thomas $219,572
  039-B Barney Brett Expanding Biofertilizers for Responsible Nitrogen Application U of MN $568,000
  040-b Sadowsky Michael Woodchip Bioreactors Controling Sulfate, Nitrate, and Phosphorus Runoff U of MN $638,000
  041-B Hobbie Sarah Determining Stormwater Pollution Sources to Improve Urban Waters U of MN $538,000
X 042-B Sheaffer Craig Reducing Nitrogen Pollution in Groundwater with Perennial Grasses U of MN $482,186
  043-B Hondzo Miki Enhanced Microbial Nitrate Removal in Minnesota Waters U of MN $333,763
  044-B Wackett Lawrence Solving Problems From Pesticides and Spills in Minnesota U of MN $440,000
X 045-B Ellison Christopher Using Hydroacoustics to Monitor Sediment in Minnesotas Rivers U.S. Geological Survey $455,663
  046-B Abbas Abdennour Autonomous Chemical Sensor for Water Toxicants Monitoring U of MN $320,000
X 047-B Drewitz Matt Southeastern Minnesota Cover Crop and Soil Health Initiatives Board of Water and Soil Resources $253,000
X 048-B Maciej Gerry Achieving Minnesotas Groundwater Sustainability Through Irrigation Efficiencies Benton Soil and Water Conservation District $431,100
  049-B Wang Ping Wireless Biosensing for Monitoring of Aquatic Ecosystems U of MN $981,249
  050-B Zhang Kechun Integrated Algae Process for Value-Added Fuels and Chemicals U of MN $919,662
  051-B Clark Ryan Conservation Reference Watersheds within the Minnesota River Basin Renville County SWCD $699,820
  052-B Garono Ralph Mapping and Classifying North Shore Vernal Pools U of MN - Duluth NRRI $525,846
  053-B Meschke Linda Tile Outlet Treatment Trains to Improve Water Quality Rural Advantage $514,394
  054-B Small Gaston Removing Excess Phosphorus in Urban Lakes through Hydroponics University of St. Thomas $174,046
  055-B Garono Ralph Nutrient Dead-Zone Interactions in the St. Louis Estuary U of MN - Duluth Large Lakes Observatory $550,200
  056-B Kluckhohn Rebecca Lake Management Guidance, Strategies to Reduce Internal Loads Clearwater River Watershed District $233,900
  057-B Julius Matt Reducing Dairy Plant Impact on Water Quality St. Cloud State University $499,733
  058-B Montgomery Kent Developing and Implementing Watershed-level Protection Strategies for Lakes Central Lakes College $192,863
  059-B Anglo Kathleen Improving Water Quality, Daylighting Trout Brook City of Saint Paul $400,000
X 060-B Schaum Jessica Shoreview Water Consumption and Groundwater Awareness Project City of Shoreview $54,470
  061-B Innes Alister Replace Chemical Hazards in Products; Reduce Emerging Contaminants Minnesota Pollution Control Agency $1,039,600
  062-B Johnson Margaret Crow River Erosion Analysis and Targeted Implementation Project Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District $308,800
C. Environmental Education
(RECEIVED: 18 proposals/subtotal = $8,384,448 )
  063-C Luce Don Inspiring Citizen Action to Control Aquatic Invasive Species Bell Museum of Natural History $239,215
  064-C Hamilton Patrick MNwatch: A Major New Exhibit About Minnesotas Environment Science Museum of Minnesota $1,085,000
X 065-C Ponder Julia Hunter's Choice: Alternative Ammunition U of MN $132,557
X 066-C Lenczewski John Connecting Students with Watersheds through Hands-On Learning Minnesota Trout Unlimited $437,195
X 067-C Svien Lawrence Building 8 Zumbro Watershed Recreational Learning Stewardship Sites Zumbro Watershed Partnership $356,920
  068-C Kay Adam Stewardship Science: Enhancing education in Underserved Urban Communities University of St. Thomas $111,887
  069-C Anderson Neil Reed Canary Grass Threat to the Tension Zone U of MN $538,968
  070-C Vlasak Raymond Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge Outdoor Youth Learning Program Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. $118,600
  071-C Nerbonne Julia Be The Spark: Experiential Youth Development Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light $576,377
  072-C Thommes Judy Youth Energy Education: Making Energy Conservation Fun! Center for Energy and Environment $162,000
X 073-C Freese Joan Splash Screen: SciGirls Exploring Watersheds Using Mobile Technologies Twin Cities Public Television $187,400
X 074-C Mercer-Taylor Beth Water Journey Camps U of MN $25,138
  075-C Martinez Cecilia Zenteotl-Community Empowerment Through Urban Agriculture Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy $382,887
  076-C Hall Patricia Race to Reduce: Replicating Success! H2O for Life, Inc $82,500
  077-C Eldred Craig City of Waconia Fountain Park Storm Water Education City of Waconia $52,415
  078-C Kaminski Timmothy Assessing Carcass Disposal Assistance for Reducing Wolf-Cattle Conflicts Howling For Wolves $72,000
  079-C Bodette Dan Community and Field-Based Environmental Learning Model School of Environmental Studies $388,274
  080-C Homan Ed Regional Mattress Recycling: Reducing Landfill Use, Recovering Resources McLeod County $3,435,115
D. Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species
(RECEIVED: 15 proposals/subtotal = $24,347,412 )
X 081-D Buhr Brian Minnesota Terrestrial Invasive Species Research Center U of MN $14,937,920
X 082-D D'Amato Anthony Emerald Ash Borer Ecological/Hydrological Impacts - Phase 2 U of MN $420,408
X 083-D Becker Roger Biological Control of Canada Thistle U of MN $300,000
X 084-D Blanchette Robert Preventing a New Disease of Pines in Minnesota U of MN $371,840
X 085-D Aukema Brian Minnesotas Newest Invasion: European Gypsy Moth is Here U of MN $350,000
X 086-D Henquinet Jeffrey Mobile Ballast Water Treatment System for Great Lakes Izaak Walton League of America $1,006,200
X 087-D Phelps Nicholas Small Fish, Big Problem: Understanding Minnesotas Baitfish Industry U of MN $236,526
X 088-D Hicks Randall Forecasting Microbial Invasions: Muskie Pox and VHS Virus U of MN $467,589
  089-D Sadowsky Michael Biocontrol of Eurasian Water Milfoil Based on DNA Sequencing U of MN $574,000
  090-D Cotner James Using CO2 to Control Fish in Shallow Lakes U of MN $505,000
  091-D Frohnauer Nick Minnesota Asian Carp Action Plan Implementation MN DNR $4,359,517
  092-D Hibbard Calder Minnesotas Forest Health Threats: Terrestrial Invasive Species Minnesota Forest Resources Council $308,322
  093-D Matthews Thomas Treatment of Emerald Ash Borer-infested Ash Trees Phyllom BioProducts Corporation $120,000
  094-D Larson Chris Ash Tree Preservation: Environmental Education & Stewardship City of Oakdale $85,590
  095-D Shneider Joseph Prepackaged AIS Thermal Decontamination Program for Water-Related Equipment MN Coalition of Lake Associations $304,500
E. Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy
(RECEIVED: 21 proposals/subtotal = $12,985,267 )
X 096-E Levenson-Falk Annie Ending Minnesota Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fossil Fuels Legislative Energy Commission $1,500,000
  097-E Hu Bo Electrochemical Micro-Aeration for Hydrogen Sulfide Removal from Biogas U of MN $316,754
  098-E Montgomery Rebecca Tree Productivity and Health Depend on Cold Winters U of MN $241,568
  099-E Reich Peter Managing for "Climate-Smart" Trees and Forests U of MN $457,953
  100-E David Andrew Development of Forest Seed Transfer Guidelines for Minnesota U of MN $327,602
X 101-E McCormick Alon Renewable and Sustainable Fertilizers Produced Locally U of MN $1,620,000
  102-E Nagel Linda Making Minnesota Forests More Resilient to Climate Change U of MN $396,872
  103-E Goldberg Louise Housing Clusters Consuming Less Electricity Than They Generate U of MN $195,000
  104-E Dutcher Cari Lake and River Spray Impacts on Minnesota Climate U of MN $516,000
  105-E Hemmingsen Richard Optimizing Environmental and Economic Value of Harvested Cattails U of MN $1,545,750
  106-E Davy Ray Reducing Land Applied Agricultural Waste in SE Minnesota Agri-Waste Energy Operations $504,385
  107-E Gerard Gena Reducing Wood Smoke: Protecting Our Health and Environment Environmental Initiative $1,116,570
X 108-E Hong Jiarong Assessing Environmental Impact of Wind Turbines in Minnesota U of MN $528,000
  109-E Current Dean Zero-Waste Aquaponic System for Fish and Vegetable Production U of MN $906,400
X 110-E Northrop William Reducing Emissions from Open Burning through Biomass Gasification U of MN $268,188
  111-E Slesak Robert Soil Frost and Sustainable Forestry Under Varying Climate U of MN $305,000
X 112-E Becker Dennis In-Woods Biomass Drying to Increase Energy Value U of MN $194,550
  113-E Current Dean BMP Portfolio for Non-forest Biomass for Bioenergy U of MN $213,250
  114-E Green Jim Duluth Steam Energy Efficiency Project City of Duluth $153,360
  115-E Oskoui Kazem Restorative Integrated Resource Management at Prospect Clark Engineering Corporation $499,440
X 116-E Thomas Steve Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Solid Waste The NetWork for Better Futures d/b/a Better Futures Minnesota $1,178,625
F. Methods to Protect, Restore, and Enhance Land, Water, and Habitat
(RECEIVED: 19 proposals/subtotal = $7,211,764 )
X 117-F Johnson Lucinda Prioritizing Future Management of North Shore Trout Streams U of MN - Duluth NRRI $416,411
X 118-F Perrine Rich Thirteen Counties Propagating Native Plants, Restoring Diverse Habitats Martin SWCD $495,000
X 119-F Remucal David Preserving and Protecting Minnesota's 48 Native Orchid Species U of MN - Landscape Arboretum $167,700
  120-F Griffis Timothy Forecasting the Intensity and Spread of Minnesotas Wildfires U of MN $184,080
X 121-F Buck Wiley MeCC VIII: Restoration for Climate Resilience, Pollinators, Working Lands Great River Greening $459,000
X 122-F Hoek Tabor Conservation Assistance Acceleration Project Board of Water and Soil Resources $1,500,000
X 123-F Wisenden Brian MSU Moorhead Science Center Restoration & Monitoring Moorhead State University $527,760
X 124-F Herb William Prioritizing Walleye Spawning Habitat Restoration in Minnesota Lakes U of MN $277,235
X 125-F Erwin John Building "Pollinator Friendly" Landscapes U of MN $225,714
X 126-F Lewanski Tom MeCC VIII: FMR Restoring Prairie and Forest Habitat Friends of the Mississippi River $276,482
X 127-F Rudolf Sarah Empowered Citizens Improve 5 Urban Forests: Statewide Model Minnesota Pollution Control Agency $835,342
X 128-F Kleist Christopher Flood Recovery on Sargent Creek Duluth Habitat Restoration City of Duluth $398,000
X 129-F Ryun Debra Shoreland Protection for the Lower St. Croix River St. Croix River Association $190,300
  130-F Hoganson Howard Transitioning Pine Plantations to Multi-Aged, Mixed-Species Pine Stands U of MN $260,222
  131-F Erwin John Building Ecologically-Sound Landscapes in Our Communities U of MN $241,828
  132-F Singer Alan Integrating Agriculture with Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat Dakota County $300,000
  133-F Hoganson Howard Recognizing Full Value of Pine Restoration U of MN $177,278
  134-F Arvidson Adam Ecological Management Plans for Vegetation and Water Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board $204,412
X 135-F Erickson Mark Redwood/Renville County Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Master Plan Redwood County and Renville County $75,000
G. Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation
(RECEIVED: 16 proposals/subtotal = $40,057,901 )
X 136-G Stefferud Arne Metropolitan Regional Park System Land Acquisition Phase 4 Metropolitan Council $3,000,000
X 137-G Booth Peggy SNA Acquisition, Restoration, Enhancement and Public Engagement MN DNR $6,315,700
X 138-G Garms Jason Native Prairie Stewardship & Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition MN DNR $6,450,162
X 139-G Christie Jennifer State Parks and State Trails Land Acquisitions MN DNR $2,000,000
  140-G Peterson Richard Protecting the Pineland Sands Aquifer MN DNR $2,006,856
X 141-G Loon Deborah MeCC VIII: Priority Expansion Minnesota Valley NWRefuge Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. $500,000
X 142-G Manzoline Robert Mesabi Trail Development Soudan to Ely Phase 2 St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority $1,000,000
X 143-G Rivers Patrick MeCC VIII: MN DNR Metro Conservation Corridors 8, Ecological Landscapes MN DNR $530,000
X 144-G Salus Danielle MeCC VIII: TPLs Strategic Land Protection Program The Trust for Public Land $1,000,000
X 145-G Curry John MeCC VIII: Ecological Landscapes - Overall, Mapping and Coordination Minnesota Land Trust $40,000
X 146-G Singer Alan MeCC VIII: Dakota County Riparian and Lakeshore Protection Dakota County $600,000
X 147-G West Paula Multi-benefit Watershed Scale Conservation on North Central Lakes Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation $1,225,750
X 148-G Curry John MeCC VIII: Metro Conservation Corridors 8 Ecological Landscapes Minnesota Land Trust $882,500
X 149-G Damon Susan Enhanced Access to Isolated State Lands MN DNR $1,017,397
  150-G Johnson Mark Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water Supply Protection Project Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System $11,460,000
  151-G Vandelinde Aaron Preserving Old-Growth Forests on School Lands MN DNR $2,029,536
H. Pass-thru Contract Management
(RECEIVED: 1 proposals/subtotal = $135,000 )
X 152-H Graeber Amanda Contract Management MN DNR $135,000

2015 Proposal & Funding Process Main Page