Earlier this month, the Governor’s Task Force on Wild Rice released its final report of recommendations on maintaining and protecting Minnesota’s wild rice plants and waters. The final report lists a host of recommendations for preservation of wild rice, as things that future government officials, community leaders and stakeholders should consider when addressing this issue in the future. The final recommendations include:
- Create a Wild Rice Stewardship Council
- Expand and support tribal consultation
- Promote sulfate minimization
- Improve Minnesota Pollution Control Agency variance process
- Provide Point Source Implementation Grants for sulfate
- Initiate an annual wild rice week
- Have the Legislature invest in wild rice
The issuance of the final report marks the end of the Governor’s Task Force, though as stated above, the report recommends the creation of a Wild Rice Stewardship Council to tackle unsolved and ongoing issues regarding the protection of wild rice.