Since the 2004 legislative session, legislators and civic advocacy organizations have urged the EQB to adopt new mandatory categories for lakeshore development to address the great and growing development pressure now affecting lakeshore environments. In discussions regarding lakeshore development, it has become apparent that lakeshores are not unique and that similar development pressures affect many other highly important natural resources. EQB has been asked to adopt a new category designed to address development on the edges of such highly important natural resources.

The Clean Water Cabinet and Environmental Quality Board believe that an upfront understanding of the environmental implications of proposed developments can head off last minute complications and delays. In that spirit, the CWC and EQB offer a package of information about JOBZ and Minnesota’s water resources to aid those involved in economic development planning.

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:

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.

The 1994 Minnesota Congress on Sustainable Development brought together people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to think about the state's social, economic and environmental future. The congress, held on February 24 and 25, was based on the work of the Minnesota Sustainable Development Initiative's seven citizen teams and provided the first forum for discussing their reports on sustainable agriculture, energy, forestry, manufacturing, mining, recreation and settlement. The congress' main goals we re to:

Among the Round Table's chief proposals:

The Economics for Lasting Progress project of the Minnesota Sustainable Development Initiative examined the economic signals sent by selected state policies. The report of this project, Smart Signals: Economics for Lasting Progress asks Minnesotans to question basic assumptions about the relationships between the environment, economy and communities. It identifies issues concerning the economic implications of state policies and ways to improve them for a healthier Minnesota.