District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, has been appointed to Minnesota’s Clean Water Council. He is one of two senators that will join the 28-member board to provide advice to the legislature and governor on implementing clean water policies for Minnesota.

“I’m very honored to have an opportunity to serve on the Clean Water Council,” Sparks said. “Minnesota’s abundant natural resources are one of our state’s greatest attributes, and I’m looking forward to playing a major role in how we protect these assets for generations to come.”

The Clean Water Council was created in 2006 when the Clean Water Legacy Act was signed into law. The panel includes representatives from state and local governments, the business community, educational and environmental organizations, farmers and other interested parties. Together, they are responsible for assessing clean water initiatives and recommending changes and improvements.

As a member of the Clean Water Council, Sparks will help fulfill the group’s mission to:

• Advise on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act

• Foster coordination and cooperation among all public agencies and private entities concerning water management, conservation, land use, land management and development plans as relevant to the implementation of the act

• Recommend to the governor clean water funding priorities to identify impaired waters, develop TMDLs; implement restoration of impaired waters, and provide assistance and incentives to prevent waters from becoming impaired

• Develop strategies for informing, educating, and encouraging the participation of citizens, stakeholders and others in this cause.

“The group’s main focus is to unite a wide variety of private citizens and public institutions to create a well-rounded view for Minnesota’s clean water policies,” Sparks said. “To help fulfill that mission, I encourage anyone who has input or questions about Minnesota’s water policies to contact me for more information or assistance.”