ST. PAUL, MN -- Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) is encouraging constituents to attend an upcoming meeting in Morris hosted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) 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. Myriad concerns arose over the proposed changes and the Republican-led legislature successfully authored a bill placing a moratorium on new mowing rules along state highways – excluding county and township roads – until May of 2018. This moratorium helped to ensure the public and key stakeholders had ample opportunity to provide input regarding the changes to permitting standards prior to their enforcement. Republicans pushed for an outright ban on new ditch mowing regulations, legislation that was strongly opposed by the Dayton administration.
“I encourage anyone who is interested in what MnDOT plans to do regarding statewide ditch mowing policies to attend this meeting,” said Backer. “This is your chance to have your input heard as MnDOT begins to move forward. I am still hopeful that we will be able to ban MnDOT from enacting any of their ridiculous, previously suggested polices.”
The meeting will take place November 15th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the University of Minnesota Morris Conference Room Science Auditorium (600 E. 4th St.). Constituents can also submit written comments by email by filling out a MnDOT comment form: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/mowing/comments.html.
Rep. Backer encouraged anyone with questions to contact him via phone at 651-296-4929 or 701-361-1909, or via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.
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