Minnesota Environmental Quality Board Notice of Additional Days of Hearing
NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL DAYS OF HEARING
Proposed recreational trail environmental review rules will be topic of January public hearing
The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board will hold a public hearing in mid-January on proposed rules establishing mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet and exemption thresholds for certain types of recreational trails.
The hearing is scheduled for:
Most Minnesotans use lakes, rivers; many see declining water quality, survey shows
Eight of 10 Minnesotans fish, boat or participate in shoreland recreational activities, according to a survey conducted by the University of Minnesota Center for Survey Research. Almost all of the respondents are satisfied with their water-related outdoor recreation, but more respondents perceive water quality declining than improving. Most shoreland
Investing In Minnesota's future: an agenda for sustaining our quality of life
In this report to Governor Arne H. Carlson, the 30 members of the Minnesota Round Table on Sustainable Development invite Minnesotans to consider a new path to progress. Sustainable development ties together the well-being of people and communities, the health and diversity of the environment and the economy, and the quality of life for future generations.
Among the Round Table's chief proposals:
Four communities receive grants to improve economy and environment
The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board today awarded grants totaling $45,000 to four Minnesota communities for sustainable development planning. The grant program is part of Minnesota’s Sustainable Development Initiative aimed at improving the economy while preserving the environment. Created by Governor Arne H. Carlson in 1993, the Sustainable Development Initiative encourages partnerships between businesses, governments and communities for better environmental results.
High stakes in development of urban riverfronts
The new Science Museum was built on the bluffs of the Mississipi River in St. Paul despite a state policy discouraging development of steep slopes. Was that a bad decision? Most would say “No.” But, just how, when and where such choices ought to be made is the subject of Connecting with Minnesota’s urban rivers: helping cities make sustainable choices for the future, released today by Minnesota Planning.
“It’s not a simple decision.
Buildings can cost less yet benefit human health, productivity and the environment
On average, Americans spend 90 percent of their time inside buildings. A new report by Minnesota Planning, Return on Investment: High Performance Buildings, suggests that the way public buildings are designed, built and operated affects lifetime costs, human health, labor productivity, student achievement and environmental quality.
The report identifies emerging practices in the building trades, outlines efforts across the country and recommends ways to adopt these practices in Minnesota.
Most Minnesotans use lakes, rivers; many see declining water quality, survey shows
Eight of 10 Minnesotans fish, boat or participate in shoreland recreational activities, according to a survey conducted by the University of Minnesota Center for Survey Research. Almost all of the respondents are satisfied with their water-related outdoor recreation, but more respondents perceive water quality declining than improving. Most shoreland users said that their experiences have stayed the same or improved in the last 10 years; most who fish or boat said their experiences have stayed the same or gotten worse.
Unified plan announced to protect, conserve water throughout Minnesota
Minnesota is implementing a unified plan to protect and conserve water throughout the state. The plan, Minnesota Watermarks, ignores political boundaries. Instead, it is organized as the water flows into seven major water basins. Developed under the leadership of the Environmental Quality Board and its Water Resources Committee with interagency teams, it reflects the unique environmental conditions of each water basin, as well as statewide conditions.
The 10-year program is described in a report, Minnesota Watermarks: Gauging the Flow of Progress 2000-2010.
From policy to reality: model ordinances for sustainable development
Minnesota Statutes, Section 4A.07(3) directs Minnesota Planning to prepare a model ordinance in consultation with appropriate parties to guide sustainable development. To help meet this mandate, Minnesota Planning engaged a wide range of local and state interests in discussions about possible ordinance topics and contracted with Biko Associates to develop model ordinances on selected topics.