Minnesota Agencies

The Wild Rice Task Force must review existing peer-reviewed scientific literature, both state sponsored and otherwise, to identify information that is available to inform understanding of the impacts of sulfate or other sulfur compounds or habitat conditions on wild rice. The Wild Rice Task Force shall also identify information gaps in the scientific literature and make recommendations on priorities for wild rice research.

As part of its work, the Wild Rice Task Force shall prepare a report for the Governor. The report's requirements are outlined in the executive order. After receiving the completed Wild Rice Task Force report, the Governor shall transmit the report to the chairs and minority leads of the Minnesota House and Senate environmental policy committees and to the Minnesota Tribal Nations. The task force shall deliver its report to the Governor by December 15, 2018.

The task force was created in May 2018 by Executive Order 18-08. Task force membership was amended in June 2018 by Executive Order 18-09.

The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe took issue with Gov. Dayton's task force, and issued their own report on the topic: 2018 Tribal Wild Rice Task Force Report.

The following members, appointed by the Governor, will serve on the task force:

• one representative nominated by the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe;
• one representative nominated by the four Minnesota Dakota Tribes, which include the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Prairie Island Indian Community, Lower Sioux Indian Community, and Upper Sioux Community;
• one representative nominated by Red Lake Nation;
• two independent scientists with expertise in wild rice research and plant-based aquatic toxicity;
• one non-native wild rice harvester;
• one representative from the ferrous mining industry;
• one representative from the non-ferrous mining industry;
• one representative from a municipal wastewater discharger;
• one representative of an electric utility;
• one representative of a statewide labor organization;
• two representatives from environmental nongovernmental organization; and
• one representative each from the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency appointed by the commissioner of each entity to serve as an ex officio member.

The Wild Rice Task Force will be convened by the Environmental Quality Board which may contract for consulting and facilitation services. The Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will provide technical expertise to support the Wild Rice Task Force.