Lawmakers pass environment and natural resources funding bills
by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter
State park closings, invasive species and the Coon Rapids Dam were some of the issues breaking the surface during debate in House and Senate today (Tuesday, March 29) on environmental and natural resources legislation.
Both House and Senate bills cut environment and natural resources general fund funding — the Senate by $41 million, the House by $44 million — with the Senate cutting Minnesota Zoo funding the sharpest at about 15 percent.
Both House and Senate bills slate funding for improvements on the Coon Rapids Dam to upgrade the century-old structure into a
House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee Chairman Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, ponders debate on the House floor today (Tuesday, March 29). (Photo by T.W Budig)
more formidable Asian carp barrier.
House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee Chairman Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, said the dam is not a “fail safe” barrier to Asian carp — there’s a chance they can get around it, he explained.
But McNamara, like Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, cited the dam as vital in the state’s response to the threat of Asian carp infestation.
The House bill slates some $5 million to combat aquatic invasive species.
The House bill also contains language designed to clarify the state’s responsible to school trust land — McNamara credited Rep. Denise Dittrich, DFL-Champlin, with championing the land meant to provide funding for school children.
A number of amendments on the House floor drew debate.
One offered by McNamara took out of his bill language pertaining to the possible logging of black walnut trees in Frontenac State Park and Whitewater state parks.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, argued that a good black walnut can be worth up to $5,000 and expressed regret that they’re being left to “rot on the stump.”
Another amendment that drew heated debate was offered by Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, that forbade the Department of Natural Resource (DNR) commissioner from closing state parks — if additional funding is necessary, the commissioner was expected to tap the salaries of some employees within the agency.
Hackbarth said he had heard officials suggesting state parks would need to close under the Republican budget bills. “I don’t think they need to close any parks,” said Hackbarth.
McNamara agreed, indicating threats of parks closing was a way of scaring the public.
But House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, ripped the amendment as betraying the “most cynical, phony”
Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, argued in favor of a proposal that could have had black walnuts being harvested in state parks. (Photo by T.W. Budig)
budgeting process by Republicans.
Hackbarth’s amendment was split — the first half on keeping state parks open passed the House, the latter half on funding withdrawn by Hackbarth.
Both House and Senate natural resources committees changed about 20 percent of the funding recommendations that came to them from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Sen. Linda Higgins, DFL-Minneapolis, styled altering the lottery-dollar fueled recommendations “an insult.”
The Senate bill contains language creating a Coon Rapids Dam Commission — a body to oversee design and improvements on the dam.
More legislation by Sen. Benjamin Kruse, R-Brooklyn Park, in the Senate bill eliminates a Mississippi River corridor critical area rule making process by the DNR — the provision has been controversial.
In the House, the environment and natural resources bill passed on a 72-57 vote. The Senate bill passed 37-28.
