STATE OF MINNESOTA SECOND MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION
MINING & OUTDOOR RECREATION POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Hackbarth, Chair of the Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy Committee, called the second meeting to order at 2:52 P.M. on Tuesday, January 20 2015, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
HACKBARTH, Tom, Chair LUECK, Dale, VC
ANZELC, Tom
CORNISH, Tony
HERTAUS, Jerry
JOHNSON, Brian
KIEL, Debra
LUCERO, Eric
MCNAMARA, Denny
MELIN, Carly
METSA, Jason
YARUSSO, Barb
Members excused:
ANDERSON, Mark
CONSIDINE, John
DILL, David
Representative Hackbarth called the meeting to order at 2:52 P.M. A quorum was present.
Representative Lueck moved to approve the minutes of January 13, 2015. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The following people testified for the wolf informational hearing and took questions from committee members:
Ed Boggess, Director, Division of Fish and Wildlife - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, with Dan Stark, Large Carnivore Specialist - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, gave a briefing of wolf management in Minnesota.
Santo Cruz, State Program Administration Manager - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, with Blane White, Export Certification and Animal Damage Compensation Program Coordinator - Minnesota Department of Agriculture, reviewed the depredation account which compensates farmers with losses due to wolves.
Dr. David Mech, PhD, Senior Research Scientist - United States Geological Survey, presented a brief history of wolves on the Endangered Species List and an overview of the current wolf population condition.
Thom Peterson, Director of Government Affairs - Minnesota Farmers’ Union, with Doug Busselman, Director of Public Policy - Minnesota Farm Bureau, spoke on wolf issues.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:26 P.M.
Representative Tom Hackbarth, Chair
Claire Leiter, Committee Legislative Assistant