The Clean Water Council was created to advise the Legislature and the Governor on the administration and implementation of the 2006 Clean Water Legacy Act (Minn. Stat. 114D).


The 28-member council represents organizations with a major role in achieving clean water, enabling consensus building and coordination on a wide array of issues critical to the people of Minnesota.

Council recommendations

The Clean Water Council’s biennial report includes Clean Water Fund and policy recommendations, and  a progress report on Clean Water Fund activities, for the Legislature and the Governor. The Council’s FY 24-25 Clean Water Fund recommendations total $315 million.

Meetings of the full council

The Clean Water Council meets monthly. Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month (January and February are held on the fourth Monday due to holidays) and typically run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are invited to attend.

Upcoming meetings

  • June 26
  • July 17 - Canceled
  • August 21
  • September 18
  • October 16
  • November 20
  • December 18

Recent meetings

Contact Paul Gardner for older meeting materials.

Stay connected

Sign up for the Clean Water Council newsletter.

Council members

Members serve until their successors are appointed by the appointing authority.

Member Representing Term expires Appointing authority
John Barten Nonprofit organizations focused on improvement of Minnesota lakes and streams January 2027 Governor
Steven Besser Statewide fishing organization January 2024 Governor
Richard Biske Environmental organizations January 2024 Governor
Richard Brainerd City governments January 2024 Governor
Gary Burdorf Township officers January 2023 Governor
Gail Cedarberg Metropolitan Council January 2027 Met Council
Steven Christenson Business organizations January 2027 Governor
Tannie Eshenaur Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) January 2027 MDH Commissioner
Warren Formo Statewide farm organizations January 2027 Governor
Brad Gausman Statewide hunting organizations January 2027 Governor
Kelly Gribauval-Hite Business organizations January 2024 Governor
Justin Hanson Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) January 2027 BWSR
Holly Hatlewick Soil and water conservation districts January 2027 Governor
Rep. Josh Heintzeman Minnesota House of Representatives January 2025 House
Peder Kjeseth Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) January 2027 MDA Commissioner
Annie Knight Environmental organizations January 2027 Governor
Sen. Jennifer McEwen Minnesota Senate Per appointing authority Senate
Jason Moeckel Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) January 2027 DNR Commissioner
Jeff Peterson University of Minnesota (UMN) January 2027 UMN Board of Regents
Rep. Kristi Pursell

Minnesota House of Representatives

January 2025 House
Victoria Reinhardt County government (seven-county metropolitan area) January 2024 Governor
Peter Schwagerl Statewide farm organizations January 2024 Governor
Glenn Skuta Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) January 2027 MPCA Commissioner
Dan Sparks County government (rural counties) January 2027 Governor
Vacant Minnesota Senate   Senate
Pending Representative of tribal governments   Governor
Marcie Weinandt Watershed districts January 2024 Governor

Member resources

Policies and procedures