STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Jean Wagenius, Chair of the Committee, called the first meeting to order at 8:05 A.M. on January 19, 2007, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
WAGENIUS, Jean (Chair)
ANZELC, Tom
DILL, David
DOTY, Al
EKEN, Kent
GARDNER, Paul
GUNTHER, Bob
HACKBARTH, Tom
HANSEN, Rick
HOPPE, Joe
KNUTH, Kate
MAGNUS, Doug
MCNAMARA, Denny
MOE, Frank
OZMENT, Dennis
PETERSON, Aaron
SCALZE, Bev
TINGELSTAD, Kathy
Members excused:
CLARK, Karen
A quorum was present.
William Hunt, Minnesota State Conservationist, and Tim Koehler, Assistant State Conservationist with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), provided an overview of the agency's programs.
Perry Aasness, State Executive Director, and Gregory Anderson, Conservation Program Specialist with the Farm Service Agency (FSA), testified on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
Doug Peterson, President of the Minnesota Farmers’ Union, testified on the topic of the federal Farm Bill.
Adam Warthesen, Policy Program Organizer, and Bill Gorman, organic dairy farmer with the Land Stewardship Project, testified on the Conservation Security Program (CSP).
Rep. Hansen moved that the minutes of January 17, 2007 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 A.M.
REP. JEAN WAGENIUS, CHAIR
Melissa Hysing, Committee Legislative Assistant