Director’s Report May 21, 2007

Legislative Funding Requested $184,216 for biennium Requested $184,216 for biennium APPROVED for $200,000 (base funding) APPROVED for $200,000 (base funding) Survived a close call from a line-item vote, few questions in conference committee Survived a close call from a line-item vote, few questions in conference committee Why did we succeed? Why did we succeed?

Legislative Funding What does this mean for the MRB Budgets? 2007 Income Desired Income Scenario Base Dues/Interest Collected31,15438,942 25% Increase in Base Dues Supplemental Dues - Evaluated Annually12,0080 Counties cannot supplement every year Grants/Soft Income20,000 Grant writing will continue MCIT Refund1,1000 Cannot be relied upon for income State of Minnesota (funding ended in 2001)092,108 Renewed general fund or CWLA funding Estimated Funds Carried Forward2,9380 Cannot be relied upon for income Totals67,200151,050

Legislative Funding What does this mean for the MRB Budgets? Line Item Expenses2007FY 08Desired Status Exec.Director Salary36,000 No Change Asst. Director Salary4,00010, FTE (Increased 0.2 FTE) Watershed Specialist042, FTE (increased 1.0 FTE) Fringe Benefits15,00033,300Estimated - actual costs vary MCIT Insurance2,400 no change Reg. Meeting Expenses500 no change Conference Calls250750With funding, more interaction Exec.Board Per Diem1,5002,400Increased participation Supplies/Equipment1,3502,400Increased need programs Stakeholder Awards4001,000Recognition drives progress Postage1,7002,800Increased programming Printing/Stationary2,0002,800Increased programming Phone400800Additional line for specialist Travel1,7005,100More involvement, more travel Outreach Services08, workshops/year - no fees Total Expenses67,200151,050

MRB Letters Sent Cheryl Heide Appreciation Letter (P9) Cheryl Heide Appreciation Letter (P9) Marsh Lake Dam Support Letter (P10) Marsh Lake Dam Support Letter (P10) Rapidan Dam Support Letter (Table) Rapidan Dam Support Letter (Table) Thank You s to Rep. Morrow and Senator Fredrickson for being the chief authors on the MRB Bills – Appreciation letters to all the basin legislators will be sent Thank You s to Rep. Morrow and Senator Fredrickson for being the chief authors on the MRB Bills – Appreciation letters to all the basin legislators will be sent

WRC/MRB Projects 2007 State of the River Report (MPCA) 2007 State of the River Report (MPCA) 67-County Tillage Transect Survey (BWSR) 67-County Tillage Transect Survey (BWSR) Blue Earth River Turbidity TMDL (MPCA) Blue Earth River Turbidity TMDL (MPCA) Shorelands Media Presentation (DNR) Shorelands Media Presentation (DNR) Lake Crystal Clean Water Partnership (MPCA, BWSR, City of Lake Crystal) Lake Crystal Clean Water Partnership (MPCA, BWSR, City of Lake Crystal) Rock River TMDL (EPA) Rock River TMDL (EPA)

People and Places Shallow Lakes Forum Prep/Meeting Shallow Lakes Forum Prep/Meeting Legislative Tracking – Morrow/Fredrickson Legislative Tracking – Morrow/Fredrickson BMP Challenge/Nutrient Trading Meetings BMP Challenge/Nutrient Trading Meetings Hiring Processes – 6 interns, 2 staff Hiring Processes – 6 interns, 2 staff Student Projects – Le Sueur River basin Student Projects – Le Sueur River basin USGS Stream Monitoring Training USGS Stream Monitoring Training

People and Places Research Methods Course Research Methods Course Stephen Bortone, MN Sea Grant Director Stephen Bortone, MN Sea Grant Director Murray County Board Meeting Murray County Board Meeting Tillage Transect Participants Tillage Transect Participants Undergraduate Research Conference Undergraduate Research Conference Area II Meeting to plan for today Area II Meeting to plan for today MN River Summit follow-up Planning MN River Summit follow-up Planning