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FROM THE POLICY DIRECTOR…
Is There a Grown-up in the House? (Or Senate?)
Sometimes when all one hears about our legislative process comes through the mass media, or on-line postings with a partisan edge, one might be overwhelmed with such thoughts...
A close-up look at our messy, democratic process can be shocking and discouraging to those of us who just want Minnesota's government to serve the priority needs of its citizens. A wonderful team of Audubon "super-volunteers" has stepped forward to work with me to present Audubon's priorities in the legislature, and some of them are experiencing the "cold-plunge" treatment.
Unfortunately, this year's session is particularly larded with partisan edge and ranker. More than half a dozen sitting legislators are actively seeking the Governor's seat this year. The Governor himself has been leaving little doubt for several years that much of his time and attention lie with citizens and interests outside of our state. Important policy and long-term funding decisions are being avoided or minimized.
However, beneath all that partisan clutter, real decisions are being made. A number of legislators still remember the reason they are in their jobs is public service. Despite the necessity to cut back from current budget levels, the legislature is authorizing tens of millions in spending for habitat conservation, research, and clean water coming from both the recent constitutionally-dedicated sales tax, and from the "lottery money" constitutionally-dedicated to the Environmental Trust Fund.
 Notice the common thread: the people of this state voted to assure investment in our natural resources in both good times and bad. Let's give ourselves a pat on the back!! The Democratic-controlled House and Senate have also proposed significant investments in conservation programs at or even above recent levels using borrowed money (bonding): message received! It remains to be seen whether the Governor will use his veto pen with an even or uneven hand. However, in his recommended budget cuts, he did not single out conservation programs unfairly.
Outside of dedicated and borrowed funds, budgets in natural resources are going down – along with the rest of our budget. I believe it is due to the recent reminder at the ballot box that our natural resources are worth the investment, that we are not seeing any legislator, political party or the Governor targeting environmental programs for disproportionate cuts. In these tight times, I guess that counts for a win, eh?
Don Arnosti
Policy Director
LCCMR Progress
- Susan Anderson
LCCMR (Legislative - Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources) is made up of citizens and legislators who have winnowed down 240 projects into 48 to recommend for funding. The funding comes from lottery money that resides in the Environmental Trust Fund.
There is an Audubon team following this bill: Don Arnosti, Kit Healy, Sarah Risser and me. We have watched the progress of the LCCMR through the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division and the Senate Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Budget Division. Thus far there have been no challenges to Audubon’s request for funding:
- Funding for years 3 and 4 of The Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas
- Funding for an Integrated, Operational Bird Conservation Plan for Minnesota
Other parts of the LCCMR bill have been challenged and we are hearing recurring themes.
- Outcome based budgeting: What outcomes will these dollars buy?
- Will it produce jobs?
- Accountability – Will this study sit in the files or will it be put to use?
- Accessibility - How accessible will this study be to the public and private sector.
- Overlap – Does this project duplicate anything that has already been done?
 It is worth noting that according to a recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife study, 33% of Minnesotans are bird watchers. This might be useful information when talking to legislators. It is also helpful to point out that birders coming to Minnesota from other states and other countries require lodging, transportation and food that contribute to green jobs in Minnesota.
PolyMet Mining Proposal Puts Birds and Waters at Risk
- Mark Peterson
Audubon Minnesota members have studied and filed formal written comments on the DNR’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement for PolyMet Mining’s proposed mine, six miles north of the town of Hoyt lakes on the Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The NorthMet project proposes surface mining of 228 million tons of copper-nickel-platinum ore. The open pit mine would average 91,200 tons of rock per day and generate 394 million tons of waste rock and lean ore over the 20 year life of the mine. It expects to begin construction later this year.
 The sought-after minerals are part of sulfide rock. When that rock is brought to the surface and exposed to air and water, the sulfur in the rock binds with hydrogen and oxygen to form sulfuric acid.
In a February 18th letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency rated PolyMet’s draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for their proposed NorthMet sulfide mine located near the Boundary Waters both “Environmentally Unsatisfactory” and “Inadequate.”
The EPA’s letter states that the agency assigned the “Environmentally Unsatisfactory” rating, “because our review of the DEIS determined that the proposed action will result in environmentally unsatisfactory water quality impacts. Specifically, EPA believes that the project will exceed water quality standards because of discharges during the life of the mining operation and on a long-term basis, including the post-closure period…. EPA also finds the wetlands mitigation plan environmentally unacceptable because it does not provide mitigation for all impacts to wetlands, particularly indirect impacts.”
See our web site for Audubon's formal comments on the proposal.
Volunteers Needed to Keep an Eye on State Forests
- Susan Solterman
Many of Minnesota’s most important conservation features have an organized group of monitors and advocates. Examples include Riverkeepers, Lake Associations, and “Friends of” groups. Minnesota’s forests are an important part of our natural heritage and very important as habitat for our wildlife, they also provide us with ready access for outdoor recreation and much needed rejuvenation from our sometimes too hectic lives.
 Arguably, Minnesota’s forests are the state’s largest and most important conservation feature. Unfortunately, irresponsible recreation, invasive species and timber and mining initiatives focused on short-term financial gains are destroying bird and wildlife habitat and degrading our forests.
In response, the Minnesota Forests Network, a new, incorporated organization with 501c3 status, is looking for volunteers who love our forests and would be willing to help monitor them and record man-made threats.
Anyone who is willing to document observations while participating in any non-motorized activity in an “adopted” forest within the state is welcome. Monitors are asked to make observations about the forest of their choice on simple forms at least twice a year and will submit these to a central website, which is currently being designed.
Folks interested in participating should contact:
Susan Solterman at ssolterman@gmail.com or 651-260-7040 or
Lois Norrgard at lnorrgard@lnmn10.com or 952-888-4801
My Trip to Senate Hearings: A Personal Reflection
- Terry Houle, President, Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
As a new member of the Audubon's Minnesota Environmental Issues Committee (EIC), I sat in on a Senate Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division committee meeting chaired that day by Senator Tom Saxhaug.
I had not been to the Capitol in probably decades and did not know there are underground tunnels that connect the building around the capitol. Maybe I have just had my head in the sand or like most people occupied with the affairs of my day to day life.
So I was a little apprehensive about even going but am sure glad I did. I went into a crowded hearing room in the Capitol and first thought the person speaking was a lobbyist or environmental group spokesperson. Come to find out it was actually Senator Ellen Anderson who was presenting the bill (SF2462). Come to find out she is on the LCCMR.
I watched people shuffle in and out with their stacks of papers. Saw people come in with suits and large briefcases and I thought of that nasty stereotypical term lobbyist. They all seemed to have their self-interest at heart and some came in late or left after stating their views. In fairness, when you sit through hours of this stuff it has to be pretty boring. Yet they are in the people business and they chose the job. What we cannot continue to let happen is the partisanship and nothing gets done. Regrettably I have arrived at this jaded view by watching from the outside. But go see for yourself and hold them accountable. The stakes are too high.
AUDUBON MINNESOTA UPCOMING EVENTS
 Chimney Swift Conservation and What You Can Do
March 18, Red Wing MN
These "flying cigars" cannot perch on a limb like most birds and have declined over 60 percent in 40 years. We're working to bring them back - with help from our friends. Join us on March 18 at 7 pm, United Lutheran Church, 5th and Dakota Streets, Red Wing MN. Event details.
 Aveda Institute Cut-a-Thon
March 28, Minneapolis MN
Whether you need a new spring hairstyle or just want to be pampered, you can help support Audubon's work on the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Aveda's top stylists and technicians are volunteering their time and talents on March 28, 2010 at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis to help raise awareness, and funds, to support Audubon's work for clean water. Event details.
CHAPTER HAPPENINGS
Many Audubon Chapters throughout the state offer events and field trips. Chapter web sites are provided below - visit the Audubon web site for additional chapter contact information.
Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis
Central Minnesota Audubon Chapter
Duluth Audubon Society
Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
St. Paul Audubon Society
Wild River Audubon Society
Zumbro Valley Audubon Society
Audubon Center of the Northwoods
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Become a Fan of ours and find out about upcoming events, network with like-minded people, learn about potential legislation of interest to you.
Each moment of the year has its own beauty. Ralph Waldo Emerson
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