Conservation Minnesota’s new website Check My Lake continues to shine a light on the state of Minnesota’s water quality. (more…)

On its first full day of hearing presentations from groups requesting money for the 2008 funding cycle, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) reviewed fifteen project requests.  Each proposal was only allotted one-half hour and Chair David Hartwell did his best to keep the meeting on pace.  Much to the consternation of several members who felt they were not getting time to fully vet the issues, Chair Hartwell had to resort to cutting questioning short on several occasions. (more…)

On Tuesday, October 9th, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) met to decide which projects will be invited to give presentations to the Commission, hear three presentations for the 2008 funding cycle, and approve a report on Minimum Standards for Forest Conservation Easements.  [Up to this point, the LCCMR has largely been meeting to discuss big picture issues such as developing a statewide conservation plan, how to prioritize appropriations for the 2008 funding cycle, and how conservation easements funded with Environment Trust Fund monies could impact mining rights in the state.  Today was the first day that the Commission heard presentations from groups looking for funding, and the meeting was not without its share of controversy.] (more…)

Given recent events that have befallen the state – the 35W bridge collapse and outstate flooding – it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that funding for the next year is going to be tight. Really tight. (more…)

The LCCMR was back at the capital last week, focusing on wrapping up a few items before the committee breaks until September when they begin reviewing RFPs submitted for 2008 funding. And it didn’t take long for the stir surrounding mining rights on DNR lands that have received funding under the state’s Forest Legacy Act to kick up some dust. (more…)

At the LCCMR’s June 20 meeting at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington the day unrolled at an even, calm pace. Perhaps it was the beatific setting, or the lack of acrimony that colored the previous day’s meeting but all in all, the meeting moved along at its usual clip. And if there were a theme to the day, it was one of cooperation and partnership. (more…)

The Legislative Citizens Committee on Minnesota Resources has resumed a full schedule and things have been busy as of late. (more…)

Increased funding for water, wildlife, and natural areas, as well as increased funding for transit, came close again this year, but failed to make it through. (more…)

What do Gary Botzek (one of the coolist lobbyists in St. Paul), Al Franken, Mr. T and I all have in common?  This year, our birthday falls on the official last day of the 2007 legislation session - today.  And it seems to be shaping up as the best session for the environment in a long time.  A final energy bill was overwhelmingly passed by both bodies and the House passed their dedicated funding bill over the weekend.  Here are some details. (more…)

This week’s update from lobbyist John Tuma:

Lost “leggins, mockinsons, socks, etc…. no trivial misfortune.”
. . . Lt. Zebulon Pike
(more…)