The Water Management Unification Initiative was intended to make Minnesota's water management more understandable and responsive to citizens by unifying state efforts within major river basins. The approach sought to improve accountability by directing administrative water priorities, policies and budgets toward measurable objectives. The initiative was to enhance the sustainability of Minnesota's water resources by identifying economic, environmental and community connections for responsible choices.

When the Power Plant Siting Act was passed in 1973, the EQB was granted the authority to adopt rules to implement the requirements of the Act. Minnesota Statutes section 116C.66. The EQB first adopted rules for power plant siting in 1974. Minnesota Rules MEQB 71-75. These rules have been amended several times since and are now found at Minnesota Rules chapter 4400. On May 21, 2001, the Legislature passed a comprehensive energy bill that included significant changes in the Power Plant Siting Act. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ventura on May 29, 2001.

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.

 

The 2000 Annual Hearing was conducted by the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board on December 2, 2000.

Notice of Hearing

Summary of Proceedings

2000 Report to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

An Assessment of Progress Indicators critiques measures of economic progress and looks for alternative ways to more realistically gauge Minnesota's well-being. As a result this research, the Minnesota progress indicator was developed. The new indicator is based on the belief that Minnesota's economy can be healthy in the long run only if its environment and communities are healthy. The measures used in computing the progress indicator help determine if the economy is being improved at the expense of Minnesota's communities or environment.