Accessibility menu
State Representative Paul Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4317
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
GUEST COLUMN
Pollution control regulations discussed
By State Rep. Paul Anderson
New state rules looming on the horizon regarding septic systems have many people concerned about meeting the new standards. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has been working on the new regulations for two years, and they were supposed to take effect in early February. However, only 21 counties have adopted the new guidelines so far. As a result, the MPCA has pushed back the deadline to the start of the spring construction season.
Rebecca Flood, assistant commissioner with PCA, testified recently before the Environmental Policy Committee and gave committee members background on the new rules. The Legislature passed a law on Feb. 4, 2008, giving the PCA two years to work with counties in updating local ordinances pertaining to sub-surface sewer treatment systems (SSTS). Since the 2008 legislation required ordinance changes within two years, the agency is threatening to withhold grants to local units of government if the new rules are not adopted.
At the same hearing, testimony from the Association of Minnesota Counties called the SSTS rulemaking “a moving target.” After the PCA had come up with its new set of rules, they informed counties there was a need for technical fixes to the rules. As of today, those technical fixes cover 42 pages, which prompted AMC to call for broader discussions regarding what is included in the changes. They also asked for delayed implementation of the new rules for two years after the technical changes are adopted.
Other testifiers representing various counties said the new regulations were too stringent and not worth the extra cost of implementation. One showed a map of the state and said very few locations in Minnesota would qualify as acceptable sites if these new rules were adopted. The environmental services officer from Polk County told the committee that his county would not be adopting the new rules.
It seems to me that a time-out is in order, and MPCA needs to sit down once again with the various stakeholders affected by this legislation and listen to their concerns.
A concerning trend seems to be appearing at the Legislature this session. No fewer than four bills being debated call for constitutional amendments to be voted on by the residents of Minnesota in this fall’s election. There’s also a bill that, coincidently or not, would make it more difficult for the Legislature to put bills before the voters. Currently, it takes a simple majority vote in the Legislature to put a constitutional amendment on the general election ballot. The governor, by the way, cannot veto any such legislation. The new language would say that 60 percent of the Legislature needs to vote in favor of amendments.
One of the bills requiring approval by the voters would allow the Legislature to call itself back into special session. Under current law, only the governor can call special sessions. This new bill gives the four leadership positions in the Legislature, if they all agree, the power to call lawmakers back for up to a seven-day special session. In my opinion, our current set-up has served the state well for 150 years and it doesn’t need changing. It could also result in even more partisan politics if all four leadership positions were controlled by the same political party. One message I’ve heard loud and clear from voters since I’ve been down here is to “get your work done on time and not go into special session.”
—30—
Rep. Anderson encourages constituents to contact his office with input regarding any state legislative issue. He can be reached on the web at www.house.mn/13A and via email at rep.paul.anderson@house.mn. To contact Anderson by phone, call (651) 296-4317. Mail can be sent to Rep. Paul Anderson, 239 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.
News Items
- Still no budget as session winds down - (Posted: May 10 2013 12:00AM)
- MUCH WORK REMAINS IN SESSION’S WANING WEEKS - (Posted: May 6 2013 12:00AM)
- Results of online survey are telling - (Posted: May 3 2013 12:00AM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.