Chloride reduction bill: Alive and kicking
As we noted in the State of the River Report, chloride or salt pollution is a growing problem for Minnesota's waters. This session, FMR and our allies have been advancing a bill in the Minnesota Legislature to reduce it.
We're happy to report that the bill has garnered bipartisan support. However, it will most likely be wrapped into the House and Senate omnibus bills, making its fate murky at best. >>
House votes 69-56 to block state’s Groundwater Protection Rule
On Monday, April 26, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted 69-56 to pass a bill to block the state’s Groundwater Protection Rule from going into effect without legislative approval.
Gov. Mark Dayton has promised a veto, but the blocking language exists in several other bills, meaning it may yet advance to the governor's desk as part of other legislation. >>
Our letter to the MN House on the Groundwater Protection Rule
FMR and our allies just sent this letter to the Minnesota House opposing proposed legislation to block our state’s Groundwater Protection Rule. >>
Top 10 bad water bills at the legislative halfway point
The legislature is rolling up its sleeves and rolling back bedrock protections for water quality. Here's our top-10 list of bad water bills (so far) this session. >>
'Zombie' 16-year water pollution holiday bill is back from the dead in #MNLeg
What do you do when administrative law judges strike down your Legislative provision as a violation of the Clean Water Act? Revive it, of course — and expand it. Welcome to the bad bill that just won't die. >>
#MNLeg advances bill to grant itself approval over agency permit fees
Our Legislature is considering eliminating the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's ability to increase permit fees, potentially pushing the costs of monitoring and regulating water pollution onto taxpayers. >>
Bills nullifying wild rice protection advance at #MNLeg
The Minnesota House and Senate are quickly advancing bills to eliminate water quality standards that protect wild rice – Minnesota’s state grain. >>
'Blasting Minnesota DNR, judge stands by her White Bear Lake ruling'
As reported by Josephine Marcotty in the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' request to stay a groundbreaking court order restricting heavy water use around White Bear Lake has been roundly rejected.
The judge, Ramsey County Judge Margaret Marrinan, harshly criticized the agency for what she called a “stunning” history of failing to comply with state laws designed to protect the environment.
Now, however, the Minnesota Legislature is considering a bill to essentially override the judge's ruling. >>
The top 4 environmental rollbacks in this year's Chamber of Commerce bill
It wouldn’t be a legislative session without a bill from our friends at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to roll back basic environmental protections. Here's the worst of this year's edition. >>
The bizarre case of the $2 million MESERB bill
Every so often, a bill starts moving at the Capitol that defies rational explanation. One such bill this year aims to give $2 million in state taxpayer funds to regulated parties to allow them to provide “oversight” of their own state regulators. Welcome to the MESERB bill. Fox…meet hen house. >>