Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Paul Langseth and Brian Napstad to the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

The Governor also designated current board member Randy Kramer as the board’s new chair. Kramer replaces outgoing board member Jerome Deal as the board chair.

Paul Langseth, of Worthington, is an elected Nobles County Soil and Water District Supervisor. He is appointed to a board position for a soil and water conservation district supervisor and will serve a four-year term which ends January 4, 2010. Langseth replaces Paul Krabbenhoft on the board.

Brian Napstad, of McGregor, is an Aitkin County Commissioner. He is appointed to a board position for a county commissioner and will serve a four-year term which ends January 4, 2010. Napstad replaces Clair Nelson 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.