Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Gene Hugoson as chair of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB).

Hugoson currently serves as Commissioner of Agriculture in the cabinet of Gov. Tim Pawlenty. He also currently serves as a statutory member of the EQB. Hugoson is now appointed as EQB chair and will serve a term which ends January 3, 2011. He replaces Dana Badgerow as chair.

The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) helps coordinate the actions of the major state agencies, and is charged with providing the Governor and the Legislature tools to address environmental issues that do not fit under the other state environmental agencies. The board consists of 14 members, including five public members appointed by the Governor.