ST. PAUL, MN – On Saturday, the Minnesota House passed the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Conference Committee Report. Included the report are measures protecting Minnesota’s drinking water and preventing future shortages, increasing the enforcement of laws that slow the spread invasive species, supporting agricultural pollinators and providing oversight for the silica (frac) sand mining industry for the first time.
“Minnesota has a growing population and economy. You can’t manage what you can’t measure, which is why the conference committee report includes resources to ensure proper groundwater management,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-52A).
Rep. Hansen’s frac sand mining legislation also was included in the bill.
“Minnesota is the first in the country to develop comprehensive frac sand mining standards – protecting air and water quality. These guidelines strike a healthy balance between protecting our environment and economic development,” said Rep. Hansen.
FRAC SAND MINING:
Rep. Hansen’s first-in-the-nation frac sand mining provision directs Minnesota’s state agencies to work collaboratively to protect drinking water, natural resources, and provide needed technical assistance to local governments. This includes help with zoning, permitting, ordinance development, environmental review and permitting, and other issues as they arrive.
CLEAN, SECURE WATER:
Water shortages are a growing problem in Minnesota, but there is insufficient data to understand how bad the problem is or how to solve it. The conference committee report strengthens the Department of Natural Resource’s ability to monitor groundwater and surface water supplies the state has the data necessary to address shortages.
STOPPING AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES:
Invasive species like Zebra Mussels and others are a threat to Minnesota’s economy and water-related outdoor recreation economy, which is a multi-billion dollar industry. The conference committee report protects our natural resource and outdoor recreation economy by providing long-term funding of public awareness, assessment, monitoring, research and inspections designed to prevent the spread of invasive plans and species.
PROTECTING POLLINATORS:
Minnesota’s agricultural industry depends on bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These species play a critical role in the life cycles of three-fourths of all plants. During the past decade, Minnesota’s pollinator populations have steeply declined. To support their recovery and protect the state’s agricultural industry, the conference committee report allocates new resources to protect pollinators and their habitat.
Rep. Hansen serves on the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committees.
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