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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524
Press/News Releases
Rep. Hansen Earns National Recognition for Environmental Stewardship
Rep. Rick Hansen recently received a scholarship from the National Conference of Environmental Legislators to participate in the organization's Midwest Conference in Chicago. Hansen is highly regarded for his expertise and vision with respect to important environmental issues.
Hansen will travel to the conference to discuss strategies to halt the spread of invasive species, as well as other regional environmental priorities. Other issues that will be discussed at the conference include children's environmental health, mercury pollution, and energy issues. The conference will educate and inform legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and examine possible solutions.
Rep. Hansen is particularly concerned about the threats posed to our local environment and economy by the invasion of non-native species. The zebra mussel, for example, was once found only in the Caspian Sea in Central Asia, but today is choking out native mussel species and young fish in parts of the Mississippi River and inland Minnesota lakes. The confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers is located at Mendota, part of the legislative district Hansen represents.
"Invasive species like the zebra mussel threaten our lakes and rivers, our ability to fish and our tourism industry," Rep. Hansen explained. "We need to work with our neighbors, across party lines and state lines, to protect our environment and our economy."
Hansen will chief author legislation in 2006 to require ocean-going ships to take the simple measures needed to remove invasive species like the zebra mussel when they enter Lake Superior. Similar legislation was signed into law in Michigan last June.
The National Conference of Environmental Legislators is a national non-partisan, organization that seeks to network, educate and inform participants around current and emerging state and national environmental issues. NCEL is a project of the Edmund S. Muskie Foundation a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.
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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