Rep. Heintzeman Voices Concerns with DNR Grants Management Following Audit Findings

ST. PAUL — Following the release of a new performance audit from the Office of the Legislative Auditor examining the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ administration of Outdoor Heritage Fund grants, Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa) raised serious concerns about oversight failures and called for immediate corrective action.

The audit details deficiencies in grant administration, including inadequate documentation, unclear definitions of allowable costs, and a lack of required site visits before reimbursement payments were issued.

Rep. Heintzeman issued the following statement:

“It’s been more than 16 years since the Legacy Act passed, and the DNR apparently still hasn’t figured out how to adequately oversee Legacy Act-funded grants. There is simply no excuse for not having basics in place, such as clear definitions of allowable costs, obtaining adequate documentation before sending out over $400,000 in reimbursement payments, and performing site visits. This is simply unacceptable.

Compounding the issue is the fact that the DNR is also in charge of managing the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Community Grants Program. More than $28 million was appropriated for that new program last year, and projects can receive funding on the front end rather than through a reimbursement process. Given the fresh evidence from today’s audit, I am skeptical that the DNR will be able to adequately administer the Community Grant Program.

I believe the DNR should pause Legacy grant distributions until it has corrective actions implemented. Furthermore, the new Community Grant Program implementation plan needs serious scrutiny from the Office of the Legislative Auditor before dollars go out the door.”