Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of David Bennett, Christopher Kolbert and Gary Pedersen to the Clean Water Council.

Bennett, of Burnsville, has a master’s degree in engineering from Syracuse University. His professional career began with the design of wastewater treatment plants for the pulp and paper industry. He has developed and designed a number of treatment processes for food processing wastewaters. Bennett currently serves as a board member for the Lake Superior Steelhead Association. He serves as the secretary of the Lake Superior Foundation and is the chair of the Trout and Salmon Stamp Citizen Oversight Committee. Bennett is appointed as the representative of fishing organizations and will serve a two-year term which ends January 5, 2009.

Kolbert, of St. Charles, has a master’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Kolbert manages a laboratory that specializes in genomic research and is a free-lance outdoor writer. He is a regular columnist for the Rochester Post Bulletin. Kolbert has published a number of scientific publications in the area of microbiology and infectious diseases. Kolbert is a member of the Bluffland Whitetails Association and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. He is appointed as the representative of hunting organizations and will serve a four-year term which ends January 3, 2011.

Pedersen, of Dover, graduated from Rochester Community College with a degree in journalism and mass media. He owned a family dairy farm with his father from 1980 to 1999 and currently is a zoning administrator for 12 townships. Pedersen is the chair of the Olmsted Township Officers and the district director for the Minnesota Associations of Townships. He is appointed as the township representative and will serve a four-year term which ends January 3, 2011.

The Clean Water Council was created by the legislature in 2006 to provide advice on how to administer and implement the Clean Water Legacy Act, including making recommendations to the Governor on the appropriation of funds in the Clean Water Legacy Account. The council consists of 23 members, including 19 appointed by the Governor.