STATE OF MINNESOTA TWELFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 88th SESSION
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative David Dill, Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee, called the twelfth meeting to order at 4:00 p.m., on March 12, 2013, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Dill, Chair
Fischer, Vic Chair
Benson, J.
Cornish
Fabian
Green
Hackbarth
Hansen
Isaacson
Johnson, C.
McNamara
Persell
Uglem
Wagenius
Ward, JoAnn
Yarusso
A quorum was present.
Representative Uglem moved the minutes of March 5, 2013, and March 6, 2013 be approved.
MOTION PREVAILED
Representative Fabian moved that HF 949 - relating to natural resources; requiring participation and payment for assessments for consolidated conservation land drainage projects undertaken by local drainage authorities - pass and be re-referred to the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee.
Speaking on behalf of HF 949 included:
Scott Peters, Marshall County Auditor-Treasurer
Gary Kiesow, Marshall County Commissioner
Todd Miller, Jt Powers Natural Resource Board
Bob Meier, Department of Natural Resources, and Paul Telander, Department of Natural Resources answered questions relative to the bill.
Lance Ness, Fish & Wildlife Alliance, spoke in opposition of the bill
Representative Fabian renewed the motion that HF 949 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee.
MOTION PREVAILED
Representative Fabian moved that HF 1021 - relating to waters; exempting minor ditch repairs from certain environmental civil actions - be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Civil Law.
Speaking on behalf of HF 1021 included:
Kelly Bengston, Kittson County Engineer
Richard Sanders, Polk County Highway Department
Leon Olson, Kittson County Commissioner
Annalee Garletz, Association of Minnesota Counties
Speaking against HF 1021:
Scott Strand, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
Don Argnosti, Audubon Society
Bob Meier, Department of Natural Resources, answered question relative to HF 1021.
Representative Fabian moved to lay over H 1021 for further study.
Representative Anzelc presented HF 1300 - relating to environment; directing the Pollution Control Agency to modify a rule on fugitive emissions.
Spreaking relative to HF 1300 included Michael Twite, Magnetation, Inc., and Jeff Smith of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Chair moved that HF 1300 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to Committee on Government Operations.
MOTION PREVAILED
Representative Wagenius moved HF 1028 - relating to local government; discontinuing the Hennepin Soil and Water Conservation District and transferring its duties - be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register.
Representative Loeffler presented HF 1028.
Rosemary Lavin, Hennepin County, spoke on behalf of HF 1028.
Speaking in opposition to HF 1028 included:
Rich Strong, Hennepin Conservation District
Chris Lord, Anoka County Conservation District
Mark Zabel, Minnesota Association soil & Water Conservation Districts
Representative Wagenius renewed the motion that HF 1028 be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register.
MOTION PREVAILED
Representative Hackbarth moved HF 1057 - relating to natural resources; modifying provisions for all-terrain vehicles - be recommended to pass and be re-referred to Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee.
Representative Hackbarth moved amendment
H1057A1 to HF 1057.
MOTION PREVAILED
Representative Hackbarth moved amendment
H1057A2 to HF 1057.
MOTION PREVAILED
George Radke, All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota, spoke on behalf of HF 1057 and answered questions.
Chair recessed committee at 5:45 p.m.
Chair reconvened committee at 5:50 p.m.
Representative Hackbarth renewed the motion that HF 1057, as amended, be recommended to pass and be re-referred to Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee.
MOTION PREVAILED
Representative Wagenius moved HF 1100 - relating to environment; modifying water supply management; modifying environmental assessment worksheet requirements related to water use - be recommended to pass and be re-referred to Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee.
Representative Wagenius moved amendment
H1100A1 to HF 1100.
MOTION PREVAILED
Representative Wagenius moved amendment
H1100A2 to HF 1100.
MOTION PREVAILED
Representative Wagenius moved amendment
H1100A4 to HF 1100.
MOTION PREVAILED
Bob Meier and Dale Homuth, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources commented on HF 1100.
Speaking in support of HF 1100, as amended, included:
Craig Johnson, League of Minnesota Cities
Tony Kwilas, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Environmental Policy
Craig Pagel, Iron Mining Association
Representative Wagenius renewed the motion that HF 1100, as amended, be recommended to pass and be re-referred to Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee.
MOTION PREVAILED
Meeting adjourned: 6:15 p.m.
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DAVID DILL, CHAIR
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Joan Harrison, Committee Legislative Assistant