Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Joe Martin to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). Martin replaces Randy Kramer as a citizen member on the board, and is appointed to complete a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011. In addition, the Governor announced that Brian Napstad will replace Kramer as chair of the board.

Martin, of St. Paul, owns Rural Strategies, LLC, an agricultural and rural public affairs management and consulting business, and serves as executive director of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association. Previously, he held positions as assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in St. Paul, director of congressional relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington, D.C., and associate director of public policy with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation. Martin earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota. He has served on numerous agriculture and environmental boards, including the Minnesota Clean Water Council, Mississippi River Parkway Commission, Upper Mississippi Waterway Association, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association, and USDA Conservation Effects Assessment Program Working Group.

Napstad, of McGregor, is the owner of Fisherman’s Bay Restaurant on Big Sandy Lake, and has served as an elected member of the Aitkin County Board of Commissioners since 2005. Napstad has been a member of the BWSR since 2006, and was reappointed by Governor Pawlenty to another four-year term as a representative of county commissioners earlier this year.

The Board of Water and Soil Resources 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. BWSR’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 20 members, including 15 appointed by the Governor.