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Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance

TENTH MEETING

2013-2014 Regular Session - Tuesday, February 12, 2013

STATE OF MINNESOTA TENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE FINANCE
Chair, Representative Jean Wagenius

MINUTES

Representative Wagenius, Chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Finance, called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 in Room 5 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:
Wagenius, Chair
Falk, Vice Chair
McNamara, Lead
Anderson, P.
Benson, J.
Bly
Clark
Erickson, R.
Fabian
Freiberg
Hamilton
Hansen
Kahn
Kiel
Poppe
Torkelson

Members excused:
Dill
Hackbarth
Ward, JoAnn

A quorum was present.

Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, introduced himself for the record and turned the presentation over to Lyle Mueller - MPCA.

Lyle Mueller, Fiscal Section Manager - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, continued with his overview of overall trends of MPCA budget areas.

Frank Kohlasch, Section Manager Air Assessment and Environmental Data Management Section - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, addressed the committee and assisted with answering questions, specifically with regard to air monitoring.

Jeffrey Smith, Industrial Division Director - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, addressed the Committee and assisted with answering question, specifically with regard to air emission thresholds for industrial facilities such as Northern Metals.

Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, resumed his seat at the testifier table and continued with the overview, mainly focusing on the MPCA Air Program.

Questions from members of the Committee were answered by the presenters over the course of the presentations.

Representative Hansen moved adoption of the committee meeting minutes for February 5th with the following amendments:

In the February 5th minutes, after "The meeting reconvened at 6:18 p.m." insert "(the tape did not record the meeting)"
THE MOTION PREVAILED.

After "John Jaschke, Executive Director, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, continued with the budget overview," insert "discussed soil and water conservation, and drainage," THE MOTION PREVAILED

Representative Hansen moved the committee meeting minutes for February 7th. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative McNamara noted that the Rep. Clark was listed as attendee when she was not at the February 7th meeting. Hansen moved to reconsider the motion to approve the February 7th minutes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Hansen moved to amend the February 7th minutes: After "Members excused: Hackbarth" insert "Clark" THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The minutes for February 5th and 7th were approved as amended. THE MOTION PREVAILED

The meeting recessed at 9:50 a.m.

The meeting reconvened in Room 10 of the State Office Building at 6:01 p.m.

Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, introduced himself for the record and gave overviews of the MPCA Land Program budget, Water Program budget, Environmental Assistance and Cross Media Program.

David Benke, Director of Resource Management - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, introduced himself for the record and provided answers regarding waste management, recycling and composting issues. He also answered questions related to electronic waste recycling issues.

Lyle Mueller, Fiscal Section Manager - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, introduced himself for the record and answered questions related to electronic waste issues. He also gave an overview on the MPCA Fiscal Year 2013 Expense Summary Revenues and the MPCA Federal Funds Summary.

Shannon Lotthammer, Director of Water Assessment - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency introduced herself for the record and provided answers to questions relating to drainfields, antibiotics, and pharmaceuticals in shallow ground water. She also discussed water monitoring and testing methods, specifically for mercury.

Jeffrey Smith, Industrial Division Director - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, introduced himself for the record and answered questions related to fertilizers and chemicals found in wastewater systems.

The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.



_______________________________
Representative Jean Wagenius, Chair



_________________________________________
Nanette Moloney, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

Continuation: Budget Overview, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
More Info On This Meeting..

Continuation: Budget Overview, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency