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Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division

TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING

2007-2008 Regular Session - Wednesday, November 7, 2007

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INTERIM

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE DIVISION

MINUTES


Representative Jean Wagenius, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 9:11 A.M. on November 7, 2007 in Room 5 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:


CLARK, Karen
EKEN, Kent
GARDNER, Paul
GUNTHER, Bob
HANSEN, Rick
HOPPE, Joe

KNUTH, Kate
MCNAMARA, Denny
MAGNUS, Doug
MOE, Frank
OZMENT, Dennis
SCALZE, Bev
TINGELSTAD, Kathy
WAGENIUS, Jean (Chair)

Members excused:

ANZELC, Tom
DILL, David
DOTY, Al
HACKBARTH, Tom
PETERSON, Aaron



Representative Wagenius welcomed Janelle Taylor of House Research, who will now be covering this committee.

John Jaschke, Executive Director of Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR), testified on BWSR's use and implementation of the new authority to issue administrative penalty orders (APOs).

Dave Weirens, BWSR Land and Water Section Manager, testified on the APO plan.

Kent Lokkesmoe, Director of DNR Waters, testified on ethanol and water use.

A quorum was present at 9:28.

Jim Japs, Assistant Director of DNR Waters, testified on the best available technology for ethanol plants.

Kent Lokkesmoe testified on groundwater sustainability.

Deb Swackhamer, Professor and Interim Director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, presented preliminary results of research on endocrine disruptors in wastewater.

Christine Johnson, Legislative Director of the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) introduced the order of PCA testifiers.

Gaylen Reetz, Director of the Regional Division, testified on The impaired waters process and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).

Shannon Lotthammer, Water Monitoring Section Manager, testified on lake and stream monitoring and assessment

Lisa Thorvig, Municipal Division Director, testified on wastewater treatment plants.

The committee recessed at 12:04.

The committee reconvened at 1:09.

Mike Sandusky, Director of Environmental Analysis and Outcomes, testified on the development of a statewide monitoring plan for endocrine disruptors.

Mike Sandusky testified on the state of the literature regarding possible causes of frog malformations.

Representative Hansen assumed the gavel at 2:00 P.M.

Paul Eger, Assistant Commissioner with the PCA, testified on ballast water issues.

Representative Wagenius assumed the gavel at 2:25 P.M.

Myrna Halbach, Ethanol Sector Manager, testified on ethanol and mining permits.

Todd Biewen, Air Assessment and Environmental Data Management Section Manager, testified on the biomass gasification study.

Cathy Moeger, Director of the Prevention and Assistance Division, testified on Green Fleet and school bus retrofits.

The committee adjourned at 3:14 P.M.


REP. JEAN WAGENIUS, CHAIR



Melissa Hysing, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

Presentations from Board of Water and Soil Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Pollution Control Agency.