The full House will decide whether to allow independent permit applicant professionals to draft environmental review applications.
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau),
HF2095 would allow licensed professional engineers with at least 10 years of experience on projects they are helping draft permit applications for to speed up the Pollution Control Agency’s permitting process.
The bill was approved March 5 by the House Ways and Means Committee.A companion,
SF1567, sponsored by Sen. Bill Ingebrigsten (R-Alexandria), passed the Senate 47-16 on March 8.
Several DFLers objected to the bill because it would require PCA officials to approve or deny permit applications within 30 days. Agency officials have argued that a quick turnaround would force swift decisions on complex applications that sometimes take years to develop.
Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls) said that the proposed legislation is “not a bill that’s ready to go to the floor.” She claimed the bill should be returned to the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee to clarify language.
Among language she claimed to be vague is that applications and draft permits submitted by permit application professionals “shall be deemed complete and approved unless the terms and conditions in the permit application and draft permit … fail to comply with applicable statutes and rules.”
Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) disagreed. Rukavina said permits for developments in northeastern Minnesota often take up to five years to complete.
“You and I will be great-grandparents or dead before there’ll be a copper or nickel mine,” said Rukavina, referring to PolyMet Mining Corp.’s proposed copper, nickel and precious metals development on the Mesabi Iron Range.
Minnesota Index: Enjoying the outdoors
Facts and statistics on state parks and trails
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Published 4/20/2012
Minnesota Index: Birding
Facts and statistics on birding in Minnesota
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Published 4/6/2012
A prickly situation
Farmers seek fair fight against noxious weeds
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Published 3/16/2012
Angling for more participation
DNR looks for ways to get more anglers and hunters into the great outdoors
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Published 3/2/2012
Meeting halfway
Environment and energy law packs policy changes
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Published 8/11/2011
Legacy bill brought back to life
More than $449 million appropriated from voter-approved sales tax increase
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Published 8/11/2011
Trees from start to finish
Environment finance bill would close tree nursery
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Published 5/20/2011
Legacy spending differences
Conference committee needed to determine parks and trails funding
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Published 5/20/2011
Less means more
Some Legacy recipients may see increases despite drop in appropriation percentages
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Published 4/29/2011
Minnesota Index: Outdoor Heritage Fund
Facts and statistics on the Outdoor Heritage Fund
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Published 4/29/2011
Environment bill reflects ‘priorities’
House addresses wild rice, harvesting timber and closing of state parks
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Published 4/1/2011
Putting a stop to aquatic invasive species
Broader enforcement, stiffer penalties proposed for violators
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Published 4/1/2011
Wild rice study proposed
Committee approves policies for wild rice, state parks
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Published 3/25/2011
Should Minnesotans be hunting for land?
Legislators aim for no-net-loss and no-net-gain targets
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Published 3/4/2011
Minnesota Index: Horticulture and agriculture
Figures and statistics on horticulture and agriculture in Minnesota
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Published 3/4/2011
At Issue: Leaving a legacy
Recipients report outcomes of dedicated tax appropriations
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Published 2/4/2011