Today’s Topics: Agriculture and Food; Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment; Climate Change; Conservation; Education; Energy; Fish and Wildlife; Green Buildings; Invasive Species; Mining; Off-Highway Vehicles; Parks and Trails; Sustainable Development; Transportation; Water
Agriculture and Food
Marshall Independent: Candidates discuss ag issues at Farmfest
Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
Pioneer Press: Minnesota wildlife projects get in line for cut of $100 million
Climate Change
Timberjay: Commentary: The evidence is in, but where’s the will to confront climate change?
Conservation
Ely Echo: Editorial: BWCAW land swap resolution waiting for MN senators to step up
Minnesota Outdoor News: Agencies, groups unveil $3.6 billion Minnesota prairie plan
(MEP member group The Nature Conservancy mentioned)
Minnesota Outdoor News: Despite drought, more grazing unlikely soon on state WMAs
MPR: Scientists check health of state’s wetlands
Education
MinnPost: Educators under fire for teaching climate science, visiting speaker finds
(MEP member group Will Steger Foundation mentioned)
Energy
Austin Daily Herald: Energy use heating up
Crookston Daily Times: Letter: CERTs can light up a church
Duluth News Tribune: Commentary: EPA foolishly seeks to destroy nation’s coal industry
Duluth News Tribune: Commentary: Jobs, clean air and modern utilities will be results
Fairmont Sentinel: Proponents defend ethanol rule
Midwest Energy News: Minnesota coal plant couldn’t compete with wind, natural gas
(MEP member groups Sierra Club North Star Chapter, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Fresh Energy mentioned)
MinnPost: Electricity study aims to keep Minnesota lights on
MPR: MN Power gets more time to shut coal plants
New Ulm Journal: Franken, biofuels proponents speak out for renewal fuel
Star Tribune: Minnesota PUC puts off decision to scrap aging coal power plants
Fish and Wildlife
MPR: Wolf hunt opponents campaign to stop season
Pioneer Press: Virus kills hundreds of birds on two Minnesota lakes
Green Buildings
Star Tribune: Ford Center enters a new, green chapter
Invasive Species
Star Tribune: Anderson: Invasives feeding off indifference
Star Tribune: Battle over plan to restrict access to metro lakes
Star Tribune: Divers find invaders crowding Mille Lacs
Pioneer Press: Dave Orrick: When does crackdown on invasive species go too far?
Mining
Hibbing Daily Tribune: Letter: ‘Common sense’ needed for mining projects
Mesabi Daily News: Letter: DNR publication has a good article on mining copper
Minnesota 2020: Some Background on Mining
MPR: Commentary: Minnesota needs all of its environmental protections in place
(Writer is with MEP member group Environment Minnesota)
MPR: Planned MN frac sand mine draws complaints
Timberjay: Commentary: Minnesota should require mining companies to prove it first
Off-Highway Vehicles
MPR: New off-road rules for MN National Forest
Parks and Trails
Bemidji Pioneer: Bemidji city parks continue makeover following July 2 storm
Bemidji Pioneer: Bemidji trails offer outdoor wonderland
Pioneer Press: Dave Orrick: Minnesota state parks attendance up, despite hardships
Sustinable Development
MinnPost: Neighborhood ‘walkability’ a big deal now, even though it’s tricky to measure
Transportation
Pioneer Press: Bicycle boulevard plan for Charles Avenue jolts business owners
(MEP member group Transit for Livable Communities mentioned)
St. Cloud Times: Editorial: Transit efforts look promising
Water
AgriNews: Ag Water Quality Advisory Council holds first meeting
Alexandria Echo Press: McKnight Foundation grant helps local feedlot producers
Associated Press: New initiative aims to clean up streams in Minnesota
(MEP member group Freshwater Society mentioned)
Detroit Lakes Online: DL to apply for grant for Upstream Sucker Creek
Morris Sun Tribune: Commissioners: Environmental assessment not needed for Perkins Lake development
