Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Dana Allen and Brian Kletscher to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. 

Dana Allen, of Eyota, is currently serves as manager of Gar-Lin Dairy Farms, Inc., in Eyota.  In 2002, she was a Congressional Science Fellow and served as a legislative assistant in agriculture policy in the Washington D.C. office of U.S. Congressman Gil Gutknecht.  Allen also served as a member of the Governor's Livestock Advisory Task Force from 2003 to 2005.  She received a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota.  Allen is appointed to a Board position for a public member and will serve a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  She replaces Karen Harder on the Board.

Brian Kletscher, of Vesta, currently serves as a Redwood County Commissioner.  He has been a member of the county board since 1997.  Kletscher has been a grain producer (corn and soybeans) since 1979, and has previous experience in dairy production.  He is a former school board member for Wabasso Public Schools.  Kletscher also previously served as chair of the Southwest Regional Solid Waste Committee.  He is appointed to a Board position for a county commissioner and will serve a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009.  Kletscher replaces Kevin Anderson on the Board.

The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is the state's administrative agency for 91 soil and water conservation districts, 43 watershed districts, 27 metropolitan watersheds, and 80 county water management organizations. The agency's purpose, working through local government, is to protect and enhance the state's irreplaceable soil and water resources by implementing the state's soil and water conservation policy, comprehensive local water management, and the Wetland Conservation Act as it relates to the 41.7 million acres of private land in Minnesota.  The board consists of 17 members, including 12 members appointed by the Governor.