Environmental Quality Board

520 Lafayette Road North

Saint Paul, MN 55155

April 14, 2015

The Honorable Denny McNamara

Minnesota State Representative
365 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Dear Representative McNamara:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on House File 846. Please consider the following
comments regarding the work of the Environmental Quality Board (EQB or Board) and how it may be
impacted by HF846. The Boards concerns are twofold; first, a cut to the silica sand assistance account,
and secondly, the absence of the Governors environmental review efficiency package, for a combined
difference of $1.539M ($500K of that one-time) from the Governors bill. This shortfall will short-circuit
a silica sand assistance program just as communities need it most and result in a missed opportunity to
improve efficiency in the Environmental Review Program. The following provides additional information
on how EQB and its functions will be affected by HF846:
Silica sand assistance account
The potential for rapid expansion of the silica sand industry in Minnesota has raised public concerns in
some communities related to the use and degradation of infrastructure, public health, environmental
features, and quality of life. This came to a head in the 2013 Legislative Session, and in response, the
Legislature developed new regulations and directed state agencies to promulgate rules (HF976, Minn.
Stat. ch. 114). In addition, the Legislature appropriated funds and directed the EQB to create and lead an
interagency technical assistance team to coordinate expertise necessary to understand the unique impacts
associated with silica sand operations. The team is a valuable resource to local governments, industry, and
the general public which seek state assistance and support in addressing silica sand projects. At this time,
there are three agencies in the silica sand rulemaking process, and a multi-county project in southeastern
Minnesota preparing to begin environmental review. A cut to the silica sand assistance account would
reduce the states capacity for providing assistance at a time when it is needed most, and reduce the
level of support available to local governments, industry, and the general public.
Environmental review efficiency package
HF846 is absent of an initiative proposed by the Governor to improve the Environmental Review
Program by implementing efficiency measures through technology and updating rules, all of which will
benefit the public, project proposers, and local units of government. First, the proposal contained in the
Governors budget creates a more efficient and updated Environmental Review Program through the

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April 14, 2015
development of an online, searchable database. Bringing Minnesotas Environmental Review Program
into the 21st century is a priority for the Boardand would provide access to historical and current
environmental review analyses to support quicker and better informed decision-making. Secondly,
updating the Environmental Review Program rules will provide clarity and certainty for project proposers,
regulators, and the general public. Periodic rule revisions and mandatory category updates will be tailored
to making the Environmental Review Program more efficient and up to date. Overall, these changes will
enable more transparency, greater efficiency, and a better platform to collect and analyze data, but
are not included in HF846.
Finally, the absence of the Governors recommended operating adjustments for the EQB will add budget
pressure to an already lean Board staff as it works to advance EQB initiatives and fulfill our mission.
The Board appreciates the opportunity to share feedback on your budget proposal. We look forward to
working with you as the budget discussion progresses.
Thank you for your consideration,

David Frederickson
Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
EQB Chairman
DF:WS/bt
cc:

Representative Rick Hansen

Katie Clark Sieben, Commissioner, Department of Employee and Economic Development
Matt Massman, Commissioner, Department of Administration
Ed Ehlinger, Commissioner, Department of Health
Tom Landwehr, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Mike Rothman, Commissioner, Department of Commerce
John Linc Stine, Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Charlie Zelle, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Brian Napstad, Chairman, Board of Water and Soil Resources
Kristin Eide-Tollefson, EQB Citizen Board Member
Julie Goehring, EQB Citizen Board Member
Kate Knuth, EQB Citizen Board Member
John Saxhaug, EQB Citizen Board Member
Erik Tomlinson, EQB Citizen Board Member
Will Seuffert, EQB Executive Director