Gov. Mark Dayton
Governor Mark Dayton is asking the federal government to approve 795-million-dollars for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement, or CREP program in Minnnesota, which pays farmers for removing certain land from production and implementing conservation practices. Angie Becker Kudelka (cuh-DEL-cuh) with the Board of Water and Soil Resources says the money would be targeted at up to 100 thousand acres where it can make the most difference, “to achieve the greatest nitrogen and phosphorus and sediment reductions.” The state’s share would be about 160 million dollars, 55 million of which has already been approved. The governor would likely push for the additional funding in the 2016 legislative session.