Governor Walz Announces Effort to Combat Chronic Wasting Disease

Press Release

On the same day that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced it discovered chronic wasting disease in a wild deer in Crow Wing County, Governor Tim Walz today announced new funding proposals to combat the fatal neurological disease.

The Governor's proposal of $4.57 million over the next two fiscal years, and $1.1 million annually thereafter, would enhance the DNR's surveillance capabilities and rapid response to disease detection. Additionally, Governor Walz is proposing $208,000 in 2020 and $529,000 starting in 2021 to the Board of Animal Health to improve their monitoring and practices surrounding farmed deer and chronic wasting disease.

"As a lifelong sportsman, I know how urgent this issue is for Minnesotans," said Governor Walz. "The Minnesota DNR is working hard to contain chronic wasting disease. This critical funding would help ensure they have the best tools and resources available to maintain deer health and management across the state."

The Minnesota DNR will implement a swift response with the goal of eliminating the disease from the areas where it has been found. Additionally, they will also determine where deer are located near Crow Wing County by working with conservation officers and wildlife staff and by conducting an aerial survey.

This is the first time the Minnesota DNR has confirmed the disease outside of southeastern Minnesota. Previous discoveries of the disease in wild deer have been concentrated predominantly in Fillmore County, with additional discoveries in Houston and Winona Counties in the past two months.

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