SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Today, the Minnesota House approved a new Environment and Natural Resources budget. The budget includes funding to protect, restore, and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.
“All Minnesotans deserve clean air and water, and our budget will protect our environment for generations to come,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The Minnesota House DFL is taking action to address emerald ash borer, chronic wasting disease, and aquatic invasive species to protect the health and well-being of our communities and the environment.”
Protecting the health and well-being of Minnesotans is the top priority of the House DFL’s budget. It includes a ban on toxic flame retardant chemicals that increase health risks for children and firefighters. Other provisions would protect communities from industrial toxins like trichloroethylene and fund lead and asthma screenings. In addition to preventing pollution, the budget includes measures to better support communities facing increased health risks.
The budget also contains innovative solutions to address long-term environmental issues. It supports efforts to research and control the outbreak of chronic wasting disease, which threatens Minnesota’s wild deer population, and manage aquatic invasive species. Funding to help communities address emerald ash borer issues is also included. The budget also reduces the use of plastic and improves waste management practices for tires, carpets, and other materials.
“Destructive Republican budgets slash protections for our air, land, and water; but the need to protect our threatened environment and natural resources is greater now than ever,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “House DFLers are committed to protecting our environment instead of rolling back safeguards and disregarding science to benefit wealthy corporations.”
Restoring Minnesota’s natural resources is a cornerstone of the budget. A plan to plant one million trees each year for the next four years would improve forest health and sequester carbon. Another provision would enhance soil health statewide. The budget also strengthens protections for Minnesota’s fish and wildlife, including bans on ivory and the commercial harvest of wild turtles. It increases support for pollinators by establishing a Lawns to Legumes program to assist homeowners who want to convert their lawns to pollinator-friendly habitat and designating the threatened Rusty Patched Bumble Bee as the official state bee.
“Minnesotans cherish our clean water, fresh air, and public lands,” said Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division. “They expect us to protect our environment and the fish and wildlife that inhabit it so future generations can enjoy Minnesota’s abundant resources. Our budget will ensure that Minnesota remains a special place to live for years to come.”
The budget also provides Minnesotans with greater access to our great outdoors. Grants through No Child Left Inside would fund outdoor environmental, ecological, and natural resource-based programs for youth, particularly those who wouldn’t otherwise have access to these opportunities. All Minnesotans would benefit from a new Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office, which would promote and increase participation, work towards equitable and inclusive access, and support the outdoor recreation economy.
Once the Minnesota House and Senate approve their respective environment and natural resources budgets, lawmakers from each chamber will form a conference committee to reach agreement on a final version.