Sustainable development directory premiers on the internet

Minnesota’s first online directory of sustainable development efforts premieres today on the World Wide Web. Created by Minnesota Planning and the Environmental Quality Board, the Minnesota Sustainable Development Directory is a one-stop source for information on innovative efforts by state agencies to improve the economy while restoring the natural environment.
"The directory is an example of collaboration among state agencies in Minnesota," said Linda Kohl, chair of the Environmental Quality Board. "It shows how interagency cooperation can result in timely, cost-effective services for Minnesotans."

 

Developed with funds from the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, the web site presents information on sustainable development programs operated by nine agencies with responsibility for environmental programs. Such programs include:

• The Pollution Control Agency’s Project XL, a collaborative, commonsensical alternative to traditional regulation. It helps businesses meet their environmental responsibilities in creative, money-saving ways.
  
• The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program, which offers tax breaks and other economic incentives to preserve the state’s valuable agricultural lands.
  
• The Sustainable Communities Team of the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, which provides educational assistance to local governments.

 

It soon will be expanded to provide information about programs operated by other state and local governments efforts. Public and nonprofit organizations may use a response form at the web site to submit information on their efforts to foster sustainable development for inclusion in the directory.