ST. PAUL – Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, is encouraging area residents to attend upcoming meetings in St. Cloud and Morris, hosted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation early next month, to discuss state ditch-mowing policies.
Last year, MnDOT indicated it planned to change its statewide permitting standards for mowing and baling in ditches along Minnesota’s state roadways. Significant concerns arose over the proposed changes and the Legislature successfully led to enactment a bill placing a moratorium on new mowing rules along state highways – excluding county and township roads – until May of 2018.
Anderson said the moratorium was established to ensure the public and key stakeholders had ample opportunity to provide input regarding the changes to permitting standards prior to their enforcement.
“This is an important issue for people I talk with and this is their chance to provide input,” Anderson said. “These meetings are where people from rural Minnesota can have their voice be heard and help make decisions.”
The St. Cloud meeting will take place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the St. Cloud MnDOT Conference Center (3725 12th St. N.) The Morris meeting will be 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at the University of Minnesota Morris Science Auditorium (600 E. 4th St.).
Five other meetings also have been scheduled throughout the state. Anderson encourages anyone with questions to contact his office for more information at (651) 296-4317.
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