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University group seeks $186,000 for CWD outreach in southeastern Minnesota; LCCMR declines request
Summary
A University of Minnesota team asked the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for $186,000 to fund targeted chronic wasting disease (CWD) outreach in three southeastern deer-permit areas; the commission voted against the emergency appropriation.
A University of Minnesota team asked the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on June 11 for $186,000 from the trust fund's emerging-issues account to support targeted chronic wasting disease (CWD) outreach in three southeastern deer-permit areas, but commissioners voted down the request.
The proposal was presented by Michael Osterholm, Regents Professor and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), and Dr. Corey Anderson, co-director of CIDRAP's CWD program. The presenters described a plan for 12 public meetings (four in each of DPA 646, 647 and 648), printed materials and tailored events for Amish communities, with the stated goal of increasing hunter awareness of practices that can slow CWD spread.
CIDRAP emphasized CWD's risks and the need for outreach. "CWD is a contagious and always fatal prion disease affecting deer and other cervid species," Michael Osterholm told the commission, noting the disease is confirmed in at least 36 U.S. states and several countries. Dr. Anderson described the DNR's January decision to stop targeted culling in the cited deer permit areas after DNR found prevalence at or above its 5% threshold, and said outreach was intended to help hunters understand ongoing options to slow spread.
Proponents framed the request as outreach, not new research: CIDRAP told commissioners it had no dedicated funds for this work and that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) also lacked resources for the targeted outreach the proposal would fund. Director Nash confirmed there was an available emerging-issues appropriation of $186,000 and that the Legislature had passed an additional $2.9 million for the emerging-issues account that still required the governor's signature.
Commissioners debated whether the item met the emerging-issues standard, a process reserved for urgent, unexpected environmental needs. Representative Emma Lillie moved to recommend $186,000 for the project and to delegate authority to staff to approve a work plan. The motion failed on a roll call: tally yes 7, no 8.
Commissioners who opposed funding said the request was better suited to the regular competitive process or to other funding channels; supporters said the DNR's change in management and the upcoming hunting season created urgency for outreach in communities that may be harder to reach.
The presenters gave figures and context included in the commission record: Minnesota has reported 375 CWD-positive deer since initial detection (first confirmed in 2002), CIDRAP proposed 12 public meetings and outreach tailored to Amish communities because roughly a third of the state's Amish population lives in southeastern Minnesota, and the request would use the existing $186,000 emerging-issue appropriation.
The request is now closed without an LCCMR recommendation; commissioners discussed that the proposal could be pursued through other means or resubmitted in the normal RFP cycle.
Ending: The commission moved on to other agenda business and to a separate set of emerging-issue proposals. CIDRAP and DNR staff remain on record that outreach is intended to complement DNR management and testing efforts.
