The EQB will NOT be meeting on December 9. Information previously posted indicated that the EQB intended to hold a special meeting on December 9 and that public testimony would be taken at that meeting about the proposed revision of the mandatory EAW threshold for animal feedlots. NO testimony on the animal feedlot EAW threshold issue will be taken at the regular December 15, 2005 Board meeting.

I, JESSE VENTURA, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable statutes, do hereby issue this Executive Order:

WHEREAS, Minnesota has numerous agencies and programs affecting water resources making the system difficult for citizens to understand or to effectively participate in decision-making; and

WHEREAS, the sustainability of Minnesota`s water resources is of primary importance and directly affects Minnesota’s economic, environmental and community health; and 

A new tool, the Minnesota progress indicator, has been developed to aid in measuring Minnesota’s progress toward achieving a healthy, sustainable economy. Based on Minnesota Milestones goals, the progress indicator is a set of 42 economic, environmental and community measures that collectively provide a more realistic and comprehensive way to gauge the state's progress toward smart growth and sustainable development.

The rulemaking process conducted by the EQB to establish new mandatory EAW and Exemption categories for certain types of recreational trails has been completed. The EQB adopted final rules at its August 2005 meeting. The rules are now in effect and have been posted by the Revisor of Statutes. The rules can be accessed through the Statutes and Rules link on this page.