The round goby probably won't like the news it's about to hear.
A project to interrupt the invasive fish's reproductive life with seductive sounds is one of 48 projects about to get $26 million from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
A House-Senate conference committee approved the package Monday.
"I'm glad we could agree on something," said Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-Tracy, noting that the agreement came amid difficult negotiations over the larger state budget. The LCCMR money comes from lottery proceeds and is constitutionally protected, meaning it cannot be used for other purposes.
The projects were approved in a process that included peer review and an assessment by the LCCMR, and will fund wildlife surveys, studies of carbon sequestration and grasses that can be used for fuel, and educational programs, among other things. It will provide $3.8 million to extend holdings at five state parks.
The conference committee's approval is expected to be echoed by the full House and Senate and sent to Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty has indicated he is "troubled" by seven of the projects, worth about $1.3 million. Pawlenty can veto individual projects, and their funding would go to other LCCMR proposals.
