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Environment
Session Wrap-up
For a complete look at new laws from the 2001 legislative session, including those affecting
environment, the House Public Information Office has published a complete summary. Click
here for New Laws 2001.
Environment funding: Included in the environment omnibus law is $594 million in new spending
for the Deaprtment of Natural Resources, and a $237 million budget for the Pollution Control Agency.
Environment proposals become law: A bill doesn't have to be included in the omnibus funding measure
to become law. Several provisions are new laws on their own, including a plan to preserve a Minneapolis
spring, and one that prohibits the sale of mercury thermometers.
Bills in Limbo: A number of environment-related provisions did not become law during the 2001
legislative session.
Stories from 2001
Trail
access (May 21): The House passed a bill that would permit all-terrain vehicles to be operated on
certain recreational land trails and would require continuation of snowmobile access in specified
situations.
Preserving history (May 10): The state would recognize the historical importance of Camp Coldwater
Springs in Minneapolis under a bill passed by the House.
Plan
approved (May 2): After a six-hour debate the House passed an Environment and Natural Resources omnibus
finance bill.
Forever green (April 18): A bill that would provide matching grants to local communities for forestry
health, assessment, and planting was heard by the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee.
Reduce
poisoning (April 12): A young bald eagle paid a visit to the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Committee to help seek state funding for a study of lead poisoning in the birds.
Water
worries (April 11): A bill requiring a risk evaluation for certain water quality standards was approved
by a House committee.
Getting green (April 9): A bill that would provide funding for a St. Paul project was heard by the House
Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee.
Stop
smoking (April 6): A bill that would require the Department of Natural Resources to maintain a sufficiently
large trained force of firefighters to handle the annual demands of Minnesota's fire season was heard.
Working together (March 23): A bill that would increase the percentage of property owners necessary to petition for the creation (or
termination) of a lake improvement district was heard March 22 by the House Environment and Natural
Resources Committee.
Educational
funding sought (Feb. 19): While things are going well at the Science Mueseum of Minnesota, with
increased membership and attendance, the facility is seeking funds for new environmental exhibits.
Water
money reallocation (Feb. 12): A representative of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said money
authorized for the Clean Water Partnership should be reallocated to the Board of Water and Soil
Resources.
Millions may be spent on projects (Jan. 18): A recommendation to fund 56 natural resource and
environmental projects at a cost of $49 million was presented by the Legislative Commission on
Minnesota Resources to the House Environment & Natural Resources Finance Committee.
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