Game & Fish Fund Budgetary Oversight
Game and Fish Fund citizen oversight committees meet regularly with leaders of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the purpose of reviewing DNR's budgets, spending plans and other related information related to the Game and Fish Fund under statutory authority in Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.055, subd. 4b.
The Fisheries Oversight Committee (FOC) and the Wildlife Oversight Committee (WOC) continue a citizen oversight function created in 1994. Members are appointed for three-year terms through an open application process and limited to two consecutive terms. Subsequent mid-term vacancies will be filled as appropriate. Former members may seek another appointment if at least two years have passed since last serving on any oversight committee. The BOC Chair appointment is reviewed every year and is renewable by mutual agreement of the BOC Chair and the DNR Commissioner. The next open application process will occur in the fall of 2014.
Five members are are selected by each committee to serve on an umbrella Budgetary Oversight Committee (BOC) whose chair is also appointed by the commissioner. The BOC develops an annual report with recommendations for improvement and other observations. Their findings and recommendations are delivered to the DNR commissioner and legislative committees with jurisdiction over natural resources financing and policy for further consideration. See the Members page for current appointees.
The Game and Fish Fund is the DNR's most important fund for delivering fish, wildlife and law enforcement programs. It is used, among other things, to manage 5,400 fishing lakes, 1,400 Wildlife Management Areas and support 150-plus field conservation officers. Nearly $100 million flows in and out of this account each year. The revenue is primarily the product of hunting and fishing license sales, federal reimbursements and a sales tax on state lottery tickets.
Send a comment
If you have a question or comment about this fund please send an email to boc.dnr@state.mn.us. Your comment or question will be sent directly to the BOC for discussion and consideration at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
General contact
Beth Carlson, BOC Facilitator
DNR Operations Services Division
beth.carlson@state.mn.us