BWSR to facilitate stakeholder process to evaluate Wetland Conservation Act

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For release: Sept. 24, 2012     Contacts: Jennifer Maleitzke, 651-215-9008 (office); 651-315-5082 (cell)

                                                                  

BWSR to facilitate stakeholder process to evaluate Wetland Conservation Act

Regional meetings to be held September-October 

 

St. Paul, Minn.— In response to Governor Mark Dayton’s Executive Order 12-04 (Order), the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is facilitating a stakeholder process to evaluate the Wetland Conservation Act.

 

The Order directs BWSR to work in cooperation with the Pollution Control Agency, Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, Agriculture and invited stakeholders regarding how to maintain no net loss of wetlands as a state goal under the Wetland Conservation Act and to further advance the long-term protection and enhancement of Minnesota’s wetland resources.

 

In preparation of the report due to the Governor’s office by Dec. 15, 2012, BWSR is holding four regional meetings to invite input from stakeholders. These forums will seek to draw out different regional perspectives in the context of the regional economies, wetland resources, and related natural resource or environmental conditions. BWSR will invite diverse stakeholders from these regions. Forums will be held in:  

  • Mankato – September 27, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Blue Earth County Library, 100 East Main Street, Mankato, MN 56001)
  • Bemidji – October 10, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Bemidji City Hall – Chamber Room, 317 4th Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601)
  • Chisholm – October 11, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Minnesota Discovery Center – Dining Room, 1005 Discovery Drive, Chisholm, MN 55719)
  • Twin Cities – October 16, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Shoreview Community Center – Turtle Lake Side, 4580 Victoria Street North, Shoreview, MN 55126)

BWSR and cooperating agencies will also encourage organizations to develop and submit written comments throughout the process. Summaries of key input received in various forums will be provided to the broader list of stakeholders to ensure transparency.

Development of the report will occur in October and November. All input received in this process will be considered in the development of the report. A draft of the final document will be presented to the BWSR Wetlands Committee and the report as recommended by the Committee will be submitted to the BWSR Board for their review on Dec. 13, 2012.

 

To learn more about the stakeholder process, or to see the list of invited stakeholders, visit the BWSR website at: www.bwsr.state.mn.us or contact Dave Weirens at 651-297-3432.

Broadcast version

In response to Governor Mark Dayton’s Executive Order 12-04, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is facilitating a stakeholder process to evaluate the Wetland Conservation Act. Four meetings will be held in Mankato, Bemidji, Chisholm and the Twin Cities to draw out different regional perspectives in the context of the regional economies, wetland resources, and related natural resource or environmental conditions. To learn the meeting dates, more about the stakeholder process, or to see the list of invited stakeholders, visit the BWSR website at: www.bwsr.state.mn.us or contact Dave Weirens at 651-297-3432.

 

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