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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
REP. HANSEN AWARDED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP
ST. PAUL, MN - The Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County presented its 2009 Public Service Award to Rep. Rick Hansen at its Annual Meeting yesterday, June 25, 2009.
Serving his third term in the Minnesota House of Representatives, Rick has become a highly respected leader on environmental and conservation issues. This year, Rep. Hansen shepherded some key legislation that will have a significant, positive effect on Minnesota’s environment. Those efforts include:
• Funding the MN Conservation Corps which engages youth and young adults in building skills while working to enhance natural resources and parks and trails
• Protecting urban forests, playing a key role in securing funds to help control the emerald ash borer
• Improving accountability and efficiency for environmental funding
The Friends are especially appreciative of Rep. Hansen’s leadership on an update to the Mississippi River Critical Area program aimed at updating conservation efforts along the River. Hansen successfully navigated an update to the Critical Area Act through the legislature this session, which no other legislator has attempted.
“The Mississippi River Critical Area program is a very complex program because it is mostly not in law or rule, but in a 30 plus year old Executive Order," said Marilyn Lundberg of the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County. “For many years the Friends board has visited with the DNR and legislators to improve enforcement of the Critical Area program. Nothing was ever done until our group meet with Rep. Hansen.”
In 2008, Rep. Hansen and Sen. Sieben set up a committee of various interests to draft legislation. After working closely with local governments to meet the concerns of cities and residents living along the river, Rep. Hansen and secured funding for the DNR using Legacy Funds to develop rules and conduct outreach to cities along the river and others interested. Updates to the Critical Area program are now law. Rules will be developed by the DNR starting later this year.
News Items
- Rep. Rick Hansen chosen as leader of Great Lakes Legislative Caucus - (Posted: Dec 27 2012 8:34AM)
- Need Holiday Gifts? Consider DNR Gift Cards - (Posted: 2012-11-27 00:00:00)
- Looking Forward to Serving, Getting the Job Done - (Posted: 2012-11-14 00:00:00)
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