Bonding 2020: Sarah Strommen, DNR Commissioner

As its name implies, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources maintains and supports everything from lakes and campsites to hatcheries and trails in the state. But that infrastructure includes a fair amount of brick and mortar – more than 2,800 buildings, to be specific. Many of those buildings are aging and in need of repairs. In fact, one in three of the agency’s buildings are 80 years old or older, and one in four is in unacceptable or poor condition, says Sarah Strommen, the DNR’s commissioner. In its capital bonding request, the DNR is seeking $196.3 million for a variety of upkeep needs, including $70 million for natural resources asset preservation, $30 million for acquisition and betterment of public lands and $25 million for offices, storage facilities, hatcheries and more. In the following interview, reporter Brian Johnson speaks with Strommen about the need for continued investment in natural resources, even as the state grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. Related links: https://finance-commerce.com/2020/05/dnr-chief-buildings-crumbling/