Minnesota Senate DFL

DNR Acquisition of Land for Mill Towns Trail Announced

Senator Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield) has been working on options to expand the regional Mill Towns Trail for several years, working on bonding bills and local coordination to finance the corridor. Earlier today, the Minnesota DNR announced that it has acquired almost six miles of right-of-way in Rice County that will be used for the development of the trail. The purchase from Canadian Pacific is an uncommon opportunity to buy and develop a large section at once.

Environment and Energy bills that did not pass

DNR policy bill provisions The DNR policy bill contains a number of provisions that were vetted earlier in the session, including an exception to allow commercial garbage haulers to transport aquatic plants without a permit; a pilot study on zebra mussels in Lake Minnetonka; and the authorization of civil penalties to be issued for certain […] Read more

Wastewater regulation certainty

Minnesota communities hoping to replace obsolete wastewater systems have found added security in a bill passed by the legislature this year. Cities that plan to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities to meet water quality standards will be given the assurance that the nitrogen standard they must meet will not change during the lifespan of the facility, […] Read more

Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriations (LCCMR)

This year’s Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) appropriations include $37.9 million from the Environmental Trust Fund, which is funded by proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery. Projects in the bill are wide-ranging, including initiatives protecting pollinators, restoring elk to Northeastern Minnesota, addressing aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, restoring various kinds of habitat, educating […] Read more

Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations

This year, $111.8 million was recommended for appropriation from the Outdoor Heritage Fund to be spent on 40 projects recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. After a thorough evaluation process in 2015, project categories broke down as follows: Prairies – 11 projects totaling $31 million Forests – 10 projects totaling $18.3 million Wetlands – […] Read more

Omnibus Lands Bill

The legislature passed a non-controversial package of provisions related to the sale and exchange of state land. Legislative approval is needed for certain land management transactions that help the DNR meet its conservation goals, and the DNR comes to the Legislature each year with a list of these transactions. This bill includes a number of […] Read more