ST. PAUL – Rep. Dale Lueck, R-Aitkin, has provided leadership in the effort to replace the state’s sulfate standard and make sure we are truly protecting Minnesota’s state grain wild rice. He now urges citizens to officially join in the process.
While the governor vetoed two bills Lueck authored to update the 45-year-old water quality sulfate standard that is outdated and has never been implemented, the governor has issued an executive order establishing a Governor’s Task Force on Wild Rice. The application process for appointment to the task force is now underway. Lueck encourages qualified individuals to apply.
“Wild rice is native to most of Minnesota, thus this issue has a far ranging impact on our region, as well as the rest of Minnesota,” Lueck said. “For over a decade, the MPCA has been solely focused, yet has been unsuccessful in replacing the outdated sulfate standard. It’s time we had outside eyes examine what this agency is doing and take a more compressive approach to protecting, enhancing and where appropriate restoring natural wild rice.”
Here is a list of appointments available on the panel:
Governor's Task Force on Wild Rice
- Vacancies: 1 Seat -Electric Utility Representative
- Vacancies: 2 Seats -Independent Scientists with expertise in wild rice research and plant-based aquatic toxicity
- Vacancies: 1 Seat -Labor Representative (Statewide Labor Organization)
- Vacancies: 1 Seat -Mining industry - Ferrous Mining Representative
- Vacancies: 1 Seat -Mining Industry - Non-Ferrous Mining Industry Representative
- Vacancies: 1 Seat -Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Representative
- Vacancies: 1 Seat -Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Representative
- Vacancies: 1 Seat -Municipal Wastewater Discharger Representative
- Vacancies: 2 Seats -Nongovernmental Environmental Organization Representative
- Vacancies: 1 Seat -Non-Native Wild Rice Harvester
-30-
Click to add a signature