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Mining PolyMet comments: How agencies decide the facts
Was the environmental review process "a neutral evaluation" or "puffery"?
Lessard-Sams recommends $102 million in habitat projects for 2014
The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council last week wrapped up a hard-fought round of hearings on Legacy funding by making $102 million in recommendations for the 2014 Legislature. There are three items in particular that hung on to receive funding despite staunch opposition from some of the 12 members on the citizen/legislator panel.
Court tosses data privacy claims against state
U.S. District Court Judge Joan Ericksen has dismissed claims against the state stemming from the actions of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources employee who improperly accessed data on more than 5,000 individuals.
Should Legacy fund invasives fight?
In crafting its recommendations to the 2014 Legislature, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is internally divided on more than $30 million in requests to combat aquatic invasive species in Minnesota waters.
Frac sand limitations fail in Senate Finance Committee
The Senate Finance Committee turned down Sen. Matt Schmit's bid to amend frac sand legislation into the game and fish bill less than a week after it removed from the same bill by a different committee. However, Gov. Mark Dayton's administration has voiced strong support for Schmit's proposal, creating the potential for it to reemerge before session's end.
OLA: Conservation easements need tune-up
A new report from the legislative auditor will likely spur lawmakers to re-examine the money they’re giving to state agencies and nonprofits to conserve outdoor habitat.
Lessard-Sams hears the call of the prairie
The landscape is shifting for the 12-member citizen-legislator group that recommends conservation habitat land acquisitions to the state Legislature.
Quid pro quo helped trust lands, DNR fee bills
Two marquee pieces of environmental legislation in the 2012 session owe their victories in no small part to horse trading between Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature.
Meanwhile, outside the spotlight
While legislative leaders haggled in private regarding the 2012 session’s marquee legislation, rank-and-file legislators spent long hours on the floors of the House and Senate processing members’ pet bills.
Dayton signs bill designed to ease permitting hurdles for businesses
Gov. Mark Dayton signed legislation on Monday that seeks to reduce red tape for businesses applying for permits. It's the second straight session in which Dayton and Republican legislative leaders have reached agreement on proposals to improve the state's regulatory climate.
Senate to take up Anderson confirmation Monday
Sen. Julianne Ortman said she expects former Sen. Ellen Anderson's appointment will be rejected.
DNR wants to move on lakeshore development rules
In hopes of enacting long-awaited changes to Minnesota’s rules governing shoreland development on Minnesota lakes, the Department of Natural Resources is working to remove a number of controversial provisions from the last iteration of its plan.
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