©DNR

DULUTH — A federal audit found the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources used grant and license revenue appropriately, but it also said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had “valid concerns” that the state agency has competing priorities when it comes to logging in wildlife management areas. The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General report, issued July 30, reviewed the DNR’s expenditures and the license revenue generated by grants the FWS awarded under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. The audit said the DNR “ensured that grant funds and license revenue were used for allowable activities and complied with applicable laws and regulations, FWS guidelines, and grant agreements.” It did not identify any reportable conditions for the DNR to address.