Insider: February 24, 2017

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Photo Credit: Michael Hicks, FlickrCC

Environmental Groups Brace as Pruitt Takes Helm of EPA

Despite numerous unanswered questions about potential conflicts of interest, Scott Pruitt was confirmed as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last Friday. Pruitt has come under fire for coordinating with energy companies and has repeatedly questioned the overwhelming scientific consensus around climate change. He has also pledged to withdraw the Clean Power Plan and the Waters of the US rules, which have provided significant guidance and a backstop to challenges by polluters in Minnesota. Pruitt’s confirmation will have long-lasting and far-reaching impacts on our natural resources in Minnesota and across the nation. The Minnesota Environmental Partnership thanks Senators Franken and Klobuchar for speaking out against Pruitt’s confirmation on the Senate floor. >>Read More


           

Register for the 2017 Minnesota Water Action Day 

Join us on Wednesday, April 19th for the 2017 Minnesota Water Action Day! This is a day of public action and advocacy to let lawmakers know we care about our water. This all-day event will include a rally, issue trainings and meetings with your legislators. Come for all or part of the day. There will be trainings in the morning, both on how to actively engage legislators and on the water issues that we face in Minnesota. Throughout the day there will be events and other ways to keep people engaged, and the rally will be held in the Capitol Rotunda at 1pm. Register today


Photo Credit:
dbarronoss,
Flickr CC

Be Part of MPCA’s Citizen Lake & Stream Monitoring Programs 

(From MPCA) — Do you live near a lake or stream in Minnesota, or visit one regularly? If so, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency needs your help. Become a citizen lake or stream volunteer and help gather vital information about the health of our water resources. Volunteers measure the clarity of lakes and streams, collecting valuable data the MPCA uses to make decisions on watershed protection and restoration. For some lakes and streams, data collected by volunteers are the only data available, making this work indispensable. Join more than 1,400 Minnesotans who track the health of their favorite lake or stream through the Citizen Lake and Stream Monitoring Programs! >>Read More



Photo Credit:
Dark Sevier,
Flickr CC

Dakota Access Oil Pipeline Could be Operating Within Weeks

(From MPR) —  Oil could be flowing through the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline in less than two weeks, according to court documents filed by the developer just before police and soldiers started clearing a protest camp in North Dakota where pipeline opponents had gathered for the better part of a year. Energy Transfer Partners has finished drilling under Lake Oahe and will soon be laying pipe under the Missouri River reservoir, the Dallas-based company said. “Dakota Access estimates and targets that the pipeline will be complete and ready to flow oil anywhere between the week of March 6, 2017, and April 1, 2017,” company attorney William Scherman said in the documents filed in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. >>Read More


           


Photo Credit:
kishjar?, Flickr CC

Partisan Divide in Congress Wider Than Ever on Environmental Issues

(From Inside Climate News) — House Republicans cast pro-environmental votes just 5 percent of the time in 2016, while their Democratic colleagues tallied a 94 percent voting record, according to the League of Conservation Voters. That makes the 114th Congress the most politically polarized in the 46-year history of LCV’s Scorecard, the new numbers released Thursday show.  >>Read More


           

Submit comments on DNR Deer Plan by March 5

(From the MN DNR) — The Minnesota Department of Revenue is asking people what they think about a draft list of topics and goals for deer management. Topics include deer health, habitat, population management, funding, and more. Anyone can submit comments online or email comments through Sunday, March 5th. Last fall, DNR worked with members of a citizen advisory committee to identify the draft topics and goals that we are now seeking input on. The public input we receive this winter will influence how the Deer Plan is developed over the next year. The advisory committee will continue to provide recommendations throughout the process, and we expect to have a draft plan available for a second round of public comment by early 2018. >>Read More


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Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities

Live-in Caretaker | Minnesota Food Association

Communications Associate | Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness 

Stewardship Associate | Minnesota Land Trust

Program Manager | Environmental Initiative

Advocacy Director | Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness 

Communications Director | Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness

Manager of Development & Member Engagement | Transit for Livable Communities / St. Paul Smart Trips Senior

Campaign Representative (Beyond Coal) | Sierra Club

Conservation Program Manager | Minnesota Land Trust 

Landowner Outreach Assistant | St. Croix River Association 

Sustainable Ely Internship | Sustainable Ely

Community Engagement/Social Media Coordinator | Water Legacy

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The Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) is a coalition of more than 70 environmental and conservation organizations working together for clean water, clean energy, and protection of our Great Outdoors.

 

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