ST. PAUL, MN -- The Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Environment and Natural Resources Omnibus Bill Conference Committee Report (House File 888) Tuesday, the compromise agreement between the House and Senate which aims to improve Minnesota's regulatory permitting process, clarify the state's buffer law to ensure fair treatment for farmers, and preserve Minnesota's place as a prime destination for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. The bill reconciles differences between the House and Senate Environment and Natural Resources proposals approved by each body earlier this year following the conference committee process.
“Minnesotans deserve a regulatory process that protects the environment and moves at the speed of business, providing fair and timely answers to regulatory decisions,” said Rep. Dan Fabian, R-Roseau, Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “We also have to listen to what our farmers are telling us; we are proud to stand on the side of farmers and local units of government who have asked for clarification to our buffer law, and encourage the Governor to hear what our agriculture community is saying. We all want clean water, but it's evident that changes and clarifications are desperately needed.”
House File 888 seeks to ensure that Minnesota's rigorous permitting process cannot be abused by state agencies and activist groups to delay projects that meet state standards. No part of the bill would lower environmental standards or remove existing permitting requirements. Instead, agencies would be required to provide projects with a schedule for issuing complex permits to ensure certainty to businesses and accountability to state agencies. Additionally, companies would be able to engage in an expedited permitting process provided they cover costs for increased staff time and resources.
“Minnesotans take pride in the great outdoor recreation opportunities we have in all corners of our state,” added House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown. “This bill will continue our tradition of protecting our rivers, lakes, and forests while ensuring our state's environmental laws work for Minnesota farmers and job creators."
The bill also makes changes to the state's buffer law, moving implementation dates to November 2019 for public waters, and 2020 for public drainage systems, to give farmers additional time to comply with requirements and clarifying that all public ditches are subject to the long-standing 16.5 foot buffer requirement -- original intent of the legislature. It also states that the buffer law shall not be enforced on farmers unless federal or state cost-share dollars are available to cover 100% of the cost associated with installing the buffer to ensure it does not act as an unfunded mandate.
The bill also addresses and improves the representational structure of the Environmental Quality Board by requiring appointments to the board be by congressional district, instead of statewide. This provision also narrows the focus of their work to environmental review and permitting, as it's a critical issue area that needs attention. Additionally, appointees will be required to have knowledge or experience in environmental review, so the input that is gathered is from people with real-world experience in these very complicated processes.
Other provisions include funding for reforestation of state lands, allowing scopes on muzzle loaders, allowing hunters to wear blaze pink as an alternative to blaze orange, increasing penalties for those who grossly violate game and fish limits, and new funding for the Conservation Easement Stewardship program which restores wetlands and wildlife habitats. It also includes modest increases in park fees which will provide badly-needed operations and maintenance funding at state parks.
The bill has been passed by the Senate and sent to Governor Dayton.
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