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State Representative Jim Davnie
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0173
For more information contact: Melissa Parker 651-296-8873
COMMUNITY NOTICE
Environmental Issues
Dear Friends:
Thank you for contacting me during the legislative session regarding environmental issues. Since the Legislature has adjourned, I would like to share with you the actions taken this session concerning the environment.
In regards to the state’s natural resources and environmental protections, the session can easily be summed up in two words, “missed opportunities." At the beginning of the year I had high hopes we could accomplish some great things. There was excitement about the Clean Water Legacy Act, additional off-highway vehicle (OHV) regulations to reign in reckless riders and environmental projects the Minneapolis delegation was working on. However, much of this did not materialize for various reasons.
The good news is the Minneapolis parks system did come out a winner. It received an increase in funding, as did a metropolitan parks fund, which the city also receives assistance from. Closer to home, money was secured for Wabun Park to renovate the picnic area, upgrade park equipment, improve access for persons with disabilities and add more lighting. However, Governor Pawlenty did veto a number of other Minneapolis projects approved by the Legislature, for example the Phillips Biomass Community Energy System and Hennepin County’s natural resources land cover mapping project.
Statewide, I was disappointed general funding for the environment was approved at a record thirty year low. As a result, agencies like the Department of Natural Resources are doing without the resources they need, raising fees and/or are being financed by special funds like the Game and Fish Fund, which should be used to improve habitat not cover the department’s budget. A number of fees were increased to raise more revenues to specifically improve trails and public access; including watercraft licenses, cross-country ski and snowmobile trail passes. The bonding bill, which was passed earlier in the year, contained a number of important investments in the state’s natural resources and the environment, including $23 million for the CREP program, $10 million for closed landfill cleanup and $8.8 million for state trails.
A couple of notable reorganizational proposals were also highly debated this session. The Office of Environmental Assistance will be merged into the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) with efforts taken to not reduce staff. Governor Pawlenty also suggested replacing the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR), which distributes the proceeds from the state lottery, with a citizen’s commission appointed by the Governor. However, a study to reform the LCMR was commissioned instead and the LCMR was set to expire at the end of next June if no action is taken.
The reduction in state funding over the last few years for the betterment and protection of the state’s natural resources and environment has spawned a couple ideas on how to increase revenues for these efforts. A proposal to put a constitutional amendment, which would dedicate one-fourth of a percent of the current sales tax to the environment and natural resources, on the ballot in 2006 stalled. While it can still be acted upon before the 2006 election, many have concerns with the idea because it does not create any new state dollars, only shifts existing ones. The Clean Water Legacy Act, which would raise money for increased testing, cleanup and protection efforts for the state’s lakes and rivers, did not make it through the committee process either. A consensus could not be reached on a fair and effective funding mechanism.
In regards to OHVs, a major step backwards was taken concerning their use on state lands. State forests north of U.S. Highway 2 were opened up to what amounts to free reign for OHV riders. Also, a study was funded to look at allowing all-terrain vehicle use on the North Shore State Trail. The good news is the OHV damage account was extended to 2008 and new civil fines and additional training requirements for young riders and past violators were enacted. In addition, a proposal was defeated that would have given state grants to OHV groups to produce their own safety and conservation education programs in an attempt to police themselves.
Before session, the Governor’s Livestock Advisory Task Force issued its controversial recommendations that would weaken current feedlot regulations. Thankfully, many of its ideas did not move forward and others were scaled back by the Legislature. The proposal to grant one local elected official the power to authorize a costly economic analysis of feedlot ordinances was changed to require approval by a majority of the board. Also, the removal of social and environmental considerations from local feedlot ordinance reports prepared by the Department of Agriculture and MPCA was prevented. However, local governments will be required to hold a special public hearing before any feedlot moratorium ordinances can go into effect.
Finally, a renewable energy standard that would have required Minnesota utilities by the year 2020 to increase their renewable energy supplies to 20% of their totals did not advance in the House. Not only would it have better protected our environment from pollution, but it would also have helped with the creation of additional energy capacity and the enhancement of Minnesota’s economy.
Unfortunately, the session with respect to natural resources and environmental issues did not shape up as I had initially wished. In the end, the results were a mixed bag. While a number of positive things were achieved this year, more work will need to be done when we reconvene next year to reverse the poor policies that were instituted and to wrap up important legislation like the Clean Water Legacy Act. Rest assured, I will continue to support increased resources for and policies that seek to preserve our natural resources and keep our environment healthy.
Thanks again for your input on these issues. Please always feel free to contact me in the future regarding issues of concern to you before the Legislature.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
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