Don't know if anyone has this on their radar yet, but I'd like to make you all aware of a great opportunity. Recently I was asked to be a committee member for the Citizens Stakeholder aspect of a 25 yr. Water Sustainability Framework plan that the legislature has funded the U of M to conduct. A big part of this is for me, is to push the Hook and Bullet folks toward the survey and listening sessions. It is confounding to me that the Clean Water folks always use photos of people fishing or swimming, yet when it comes time to fund projects, most of the money goes to impaired water rather then protecting and restoring aquatic habitat and areas that are not yet impaired. My thinking is that we as anglers and hunters have not been part of these conversations and as a result we our voices aren't heard. So there are a couple of things that the committee I'm on are trying to promote. Let your voice be heard!

The University of Minnesota's Water Resources Center is developing a Water Sustainability Framework for the next 25 years to protect and improve Minnesota's precious water resources. Because the state's surface and ground waters belong to the people, we are gathering public opinion via surveys and listening sessions on a range of water issues.

Use this link (wrc.umn.edu/watersustainabilityframework/MinnesotansandTheirWater/index.htm) and complete an online survey to make sure your opinions are heard. It's anonymous, quick, and easy. Responses will be incorporated into the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework that will be presented to the State Legislature January 2011.

While you're on the WRC web site (wrc.umn.edu), you can learn more about the Framework, as well as sign up for regular email updates on the progress of the Framework and find out more about where Listening Sessions will be held around the state.

If you're unable to access the survey online, call 612-624-9282 and we'll send you a written copy.

Listening sessions

Minnesotans will have the chance to voice their opinion in person on how the state should invest resources to protect clean water at statewide public meetings beginning Jan. 19, 2010 coordinated by the University of Minnesota's Water Resources Center.

The meetings, called "listening sessions," will be facilitated by staff from the Water Resources Center and Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and are a chance for people to voice their opinions on a range of water-related issues from boating and water recreation, to priorities for cleaning up polluted lakes and streams.

St. Cloud Jan. 19 Holiday Inn and Suites 75 37th Ave. S.

Chaska Jan. 21 University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Snyder Auditorium 3675 Arboretum Dr.

Crookston Feb. 3 University of Minnesota, Crookston
Youngquist Auditorium 2900 University Dr.

Baxter/Brainerd Feb. 4 Northland Arboretum 14520 Conservation Drive

Duluth Feb. 10 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Building
525 Lake Ave. S. 4th Floor, Large Conference Room

Rochester Feb. 11 Holiday Inn South 1630 S. Broadway

Marshall Feb. 16 Best Western Marshall Inn 1500 E. College Dr.

West St. Paul Feb. 18 Thompson Park Center-Dakota Lodge


Please feel free to forward this message to your colleagues, members, or constituents.

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