Outdoor Heritage Council meets, picks leader

Michael Kilgore, a University of Minnesota professor, was chosen as the interim chairman. The 12 members talked about how they'll work.

By DOUG SMITH, Star Tribune

Last update: December 1, 2008 - 8:09 PM

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Mike Kilgore of Lino Lakes was selected Monday as interim head of the new Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council, which will recommend how money raised by the recently passed constitutional amendment should be spent on fish and wildlife habitat.

Kilgore, 48, is an associate professor of natural resource economics and policy at the University of Minnesota's Department of Forest Resources. He also is director of the U's Center for Environment and Natural Resource Policy.

The 12-member legislative-citizens council, which met for the first time Monday at the State Capitol, will make recommendations on how to spend about $90 million of the $270 million that will be raised yearly by the sales tax increase.

Kilgore and others said the council should develop a strategic plan for the spending, and may hold meetings around the state to solicit suggestions.

"We have to get out and listen to the people who said, 'Yes, we want this,''' Kilgore said. "We don't have all the answers.''

The council must make spending recommendations to the Legislature by April 1, even though the sales tax increase won't take effect until July 1, and council members won't know then how much money will flow into the Outdoor Heritage Fund by the end of 2009.

The current recession is likely to reduce expected revenue, officials said. Still, they believe about $40 million will go into the fund next year.

Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, a member of the council, said funded projects should have measurable outcomes.

Former Sen. Bob Lessard of International Falls, who worked for 10 years to get dedicated funding for the outdoors, attended the meeting. "We have an historic opportunity to leave a legacy for our children,'' he said. "We also have the possibility of failure. I hope that doesn't happen.''