Legislative Updates

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Legislative Updates

Clean Water Fund bill brought forward in the House

by Trevor Russell

March 7, 2017

FMR strongly supports a bill introduced by Rep. Paul Torkelson (R – Hanska) to allocate the Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund (Legacy Amendment) money as recommended by the state’s 28-member Clean Water Council. FMR applauds Rep. Torkelson for his leadership on this issue, and looks forward to working with him to help HF 1731 earn Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature.

Unexpected amendment undermines state’s buffer law

by Trevor Russell

March 2, 2017

An unexpected amendment to the state's buffer law undermines Gov. Mark Dayton’s landmark buffer initiative by removing 50-foot buffers from as many as 48,000 miles of Minnesota streams.

Agency rulemaking attack take three! Now with suspension of river phosphorus standards!

by Trevor Russell

March 1, 2017

In yet another attack on state agency authority, SF 1283 requires legislative approval of most state water quality rules and standards and suspends Minnesota’s hard-won river phosphorus standards pending legislative approval.

SF 1283 (Newman, Ingebrigtsen, Utke, Eken, Tomassoni)
Status: Introduced and referred to Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance

Agency rulemaking attack take two!

by Trevor Russell

February 27, 2017

Another bill has come forward at the Minnesota legislature aiming to undermine environmental rulemaking by state agencies.
SF 769: (Kiffmeyer)
HF1285: (Pugh)

Bill to eliminate Environmental Quality Board, rollback environmental review brought forward.

by Trevor Russell

February 27, 2017

A bill recently introduced in the Minnesota Legislature aims to make dramatic rollbacks to Minnesota’s environmental review and permitting processes while eliminating the Environmental Quality Board.

Buffer rollbacks persist at legislature

by Trevor Russell

February 26, 2017

A handful of rollbacks to Governor Dayton’s landmark 2014 Buffer Rule continue to capture legislative attention at the Minnesota Capitol this session.

House bill aims to replace the Legacy Amendment

by Trevor Russell

February 9, 2017

A bill introduced by Republican Rep. Steve Green (Fosston) would require the state to conduct a new referendum to replace the Legacy Amendment with funds for a narrow list of highway and bridge projects and bar Clean Water Fund spending on most clean-up and restoration projects.

Upcoming Events

Apply to be a 2024 ESI mentor for the summer

Applications due Friday, May 3 by 5 p.m.

Virtual and in-person

Pull garlic mustard at Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area [FULL]

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area

Tend the oak woodlands at the Hastings Sand Coulee SNA [FULL]

Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area

Legislative Updates

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