Groups asking for review of outdoors amendment language

Outdoors and conservation groups will ask the legislature to re-define the key concepts in the constitutional amendment dedicating sales tax money to the environment.

Last year's legislature wrote some definitions into law; they were different from wording adopted by a citizens' oversight group.

Lance Ness, president of the Fish and Wildlife Legislative Alliance, said the new wording is too broad.

"By changing the definitions you have spread out the purposes for which the constitutional amendment was dedicated to," Ness said. "Our fear is that money will now be diverted to other types of projects other than what was intended by the vote of voters."

A committee hearing Monday will review proposed guidelines for investing the money.

In addition to changes in the guide, some groups also want to change language written into law last year that define key concepts in the constitutional amendment -- what it means to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.