Recently I learned that in 2008 the citizens of Minnesota voted to invest their tax money in the preservation of their natural resources. A little research on the internet helped to me to understand what they voted for.

This is the question from the November 2008 ballot. "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to dedicate funding to protect our drinking water sources; to protect, enhance and restore our wetlands, prairies, forest, and fish, game and wildlife habitat; to preserve our arts and cultural heritage; to support our parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater by increasing the sales and use tax rate beginning July 1, 2009, by three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales until the year 2034."

This is what the tax money will be used for. 33% to restore, protect and enhance wetlands, prairies, forest and habitat for fish, game and wildlife. 33% to protect, enhance, restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams with at least 5 percent of the fund to be spend to protect drinking water sources. 14.25% to support parks and trails. 19.75% for arts and cultural heritage.

Being that I'm an avid fishermen and very often fish in Minnesota I looked into what this means for Minnesota fish and anglers. The 33% of the tax that is to be spent on wetlands, prairies, forest, fish, game and wildlife goes into something called the Outdoor Heritage Fund. I also found out that Minnesota Trout Unlimited will receive a little over $2million dollars from this fund for trout stream restoration projects throughout the state.

The Minnesota Trout Unlimited website says the money will be spent on the projects in the following watersheds: Hay Creek, in Goodhue County; Kabekona Creek in Hubbard County; Lawndale Creek in Wilkin County; Little Rock Creek in Benton County; Whitewater River in Olmsted County; Mill Creek in Fillmore County; Pickwick Creek in Winona County; Trout Run Creek in Fillmore County; Straight River in Becker and Hubbard counties; Sucker River in St. Louis County and two projects on the Vermillion River in Dakota County.

The trout will not be the only ones to benefit from the habitat restoration. Anglers that travel to fish these waters will hopefully spend money in the area. Gas, food, lodging and tackle are often needed and provided by local business. Maybe someone in your family works at these places. I admire what Minnesotans have done to protect their resources and thank them for giving me the opportunity to fish there.