Stakeholders weigh in on Mississippi River Critical Area Reform

FMR is actively promoting water quality, wildlife habitat and other key concerns through the Mississippi River Critical Area Reform stakeholder input process.

Nearly all of the 67 stakeholders appointed to the critical area rulemaking advisory groups were in attendance for the first round of meetings March 31st in St. Paul. Stakeholders came from a variety of backgrounds, and, including staff from FMR, were selected to participate in meetings throughout 2010 and weigh in as the Department of Natural Resources-led rulemaking process unfolds. (A list of appointed stakeholders and whom they represent is available on the DNR website.)

Development of state rules for the Mississippi River Critical Area, a 72-mile corridor from Dayton to Hastings that is also a National Park, was initiated by 2009 legislation directing the DNR to update regulations for the 30-year-old designation. Ultimately, the DNR Commissioner is responsible for the content of the rules, a reality that was emphasized to stakeholders at the first meeting. Stakeholders are merely advisory, and, in that capacity, provide ideas and input at key points during the process. DNR planners will consider stakeholders input as they write the draft rule to present to the commissioner for his review this fall.

The fast track process and tight timeline was one issue raised by a number of stakeholders, including FMR, as rules are being drafted for a very complex river corridor. However, Minnesota statute requires that the draft rule be published in the State Register within 18 months of the 2009 laws passage, or by the end of 2010. A public comment period and hearing process presided over by an administrative law judge will follow in 2011.

DNR staff kicked off the first stakeholders meeting with a presentation on the background or history of the critical area designation, an overview of the rulemaking process, and the respective roles of DNR staff, National Park Service staff and the stakeholder advisory groups. Next, the four geographically determined stakeholder groups convened separately to discuss issues specific to each of the four river reaches: Northwest — Ramsey and Dayton to the Minneapolis border; Urban West — Minneapolis to Ft. Snelling; Urban East — St. Paul, Mendota, Mendota Heights and Lilydale; and Southeast — Maplewood and South St. Paul to Ravenna Township. FMR staff participated in all four groups.

Within each group, stakeholders were asked to identify up to three issues they want the rules to address. Comments ranged from resource-based concerns such as strong standards to protect water quality, wildlife habitat and scenic views, to administrative issues such as reducing rule ambiguity, minimizing duplication with other regulations and requiring cities to have an ordinance specific to the critical area in their jurisdiction. The meetings also generated some lively and respectful debate among diverse stakeholders. After the four breakout meetings, everyone reconvened and the results were summarized and shared by a spokesperson from each group. Summaries of the issues raised in each group will be available within the next few weeks.

The next round of meetings are scheduled for the last week in June, when the National Park Service will present draft districts for the corridor. The new districts will take existing land use into account, but they will be tied much more closely to identified resources and changing corridor geography. One or two meetings will follow in summer and early fall, giving stakeholders a chance to review the draft standards and guidelines for each district.

Prior to the stakeholder meetings, FMR submitted extensive comments to the DNR that will guide our work going forward. (If you'd like a copy, please email Irene Jones, FMR's River Corridor Program Director, via our contact form.) In addition to participation in the meetings, FMR is reaching out to stakeholders with shared interests, finishing up a photo survey of scenic views of the corridor and working to design a process to identify and evaluate scenic views in need of protection. We will also continue to provide periodic updates to our members, volunteers and other subscribers of Mississippi Messages.

Other resources for staying up to date on the process, include:

— Irene Jones, River Corridor Program Director

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 9:30am to 12:00pm
West River Parkway and 36th Street/44th Street, Minneapolis
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