Here’s a chance for those who care about Minnesota’s wealth of lakes and rivers to sound off about official water priorities - and to do it at a crucial time for the state’s investment in those waters.

In a series of public “listening sessions” scheduled to begin Jan. 19, Minnesotans are invited to voice their opinions on how the state should invest resources to protect clean water as it relates not only to pollution but also to boating and other recreation.

The sessions -- organized by the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources -- are part of the process of developing a roadmap for the investment of an estimated $86 million a year earmarked for the protection of water as a result of Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land and Legacy Act.  

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

•Jan. 19 Holiday Inn and Suites, 75 S. 37th Ave, St. Cloud

•Jan. 21 Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska

•Feb. 3 University of Minnesota, Crookston, Youngquist Auditorium, 2900 University Ave., Crookston

•Feb. 4 Northland Auditorium, 14250 Conservation Dr., Baxter

•Feb. 10 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Building, 525 S. Lake Ave., Duluth

•Feb. 11 Holiday Inn South, 1630 S. Broadway, Rochester

•Feb. 16 Best Western Marshall Inn, 1500 E. College Dr., Marshall

At each meeting, the time from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. is to be devoted to concerns of professionals associated with local government units, soil and water conservation districts and watershed districts. Citizens, community leaders and elected and appointed officials will have a chance to share their views from 4 to 6 p.m.

The effort is part of the Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework, a project spearheaded by the Water Resources Center which was charged by the 2009 Legislature to develop a set of recommendations to protect and preserve Minnesota’s lakes, streams, rivers and ground waters for the 21st century.

The project’s final report is due to the Legislature in 2011.

In addition to the public meetings, Minnesotans can take the project’s online survey at and also sign up to receive monthly project updates.