10 MayMNTU Adopts Position Statement concerning Silica Sand Mining

At its April 2012 meeting, the Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited spelled out its concerns regarding silica sand mining operations and their potential impacts upon water resources and coldwater fisheries.  The position statement formalizes the approach which the Council, chapters and local members have taken for the past year and more as they work with citizens [...]

Read More ...

23 AprCalls Needed in Support of Fishing License Fee Increase

Minnesota TU members, anglers & conservationists: As you are undoubtedly aware, efforts to get the MN Legislature to approve long overdue increases in fishing license fees have stalled in both House and Senate. We urgently need you, your friends, fishing buddies, neighbors, etc., to contact your legislators, as well as the leadership of both bodies. [...]

Read More ...

03 AprHouse Omnibus Environment Bill may be heard today or later this week

On March 22, MNTU highlighted many of the provisions loaded into the House omnibus environment bill (HF 2164) which roll back laws protecting clean water and curtail citizen access to public policy decisions which impact our natural resources.  Thank you for contacting your legislators concerning these provisions.  It now appears HF 2164 may be heard [...]

Read More ...

02 AprBill Weakening Local Control Passed House Floor; Calls to Senators Needed Today

The bill weakening the ability of local residents to control unanticipated land development threats, including from silica sand mining, passed the House last Thursday on a 76 – 53 vote.  Thankfully the worst provisions of HF 389 were removed thanks to your efforts to educate legislators. However, one provision remains that would weaken local control, [...]

Read More ...

26 MarRollbacks on Wetlands Protections

Legislation which threatens to undermine Minnesota’s commitment to wetland conservation is advancing.  It is time to ask Governor Dayton to stand by Minnesota’s policy of NO NET LOSS of wetlands, and have his agencies press this message.   Send the sample letter below or edit it with your own words to let the Governor know why [...]

Read More ...

22 MarHouse Omnibus Environment Bill could reach floor soon.

The Minnesota House omnibus environment bill, HF 2164, has been loaded up with provisions that roll back laws protecting clean water and curtail citizen access to public policy decisions. We anticipate that this bill could be heard on the House floor soon.  It is doubtful the bill’s many flaws can be corrected via floor amendments.  [...]

Read More ...

21 MarHouse bill increasing license fees introduced today; will be heard by committee on Thursday March 22

Rep. Hackbarth today introduced his bill containing a proposal to increase fishing and hunting license fees.  The bill, HF 2951, is scheduled to be heard tomorrow, Thursday March 22, in the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy & Finance Committee.  Here is a link to the bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H2951.0.html&session=ls87 Amendments to HF 2951 are due to [...]

Read More ...

20 MarDon’t miss these conservation programs at the Great Waters Expo this weekend

Take some time this weekend to find out more about opportunities for helping on habitat projects and advocacy efforts aimed at sustaining clean, cold, fishable water in the Midwest.  Do not miss these conservation programs at the Great Waters Expo this weekend Friday March 23 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Differing Approaches to Restoring Trout Habitat in MN & WI (John [...]

Read More ...

17 MarFishing license fee increases at last being considered by MN Legislature

Proposals to increase fishing and hunting license fees in Minnesota are at long last moving in both the Minnesota House and Senate. Press Conference Held in Support of fee increases: On Monday Minnesota Trout Unlimited spoke in support of increasing fishing license fees at a press conference organized by our friends at the Minnesota Conservation [...]

Read More ...

12 MarBills weakening ability of SE MN residents to restrict silica sand mining could get Floor votes at any time – Calls are urgently needed

Silica Sand Mining Bills weakening ability of Southeast MN residents to restrict silica sand mining could get Floor votes at any time – More calls are urgently needed Two bills which would weaken the ability of local residents to place a hold on silica sand mining permit applications, while their communities study how best to [...]

Read More ...