Pollution Agency Oversight Board May Be Out In Budget Deal
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Environmental groups are hoping to preserve a citizen oversight board at the state's pollution control agency, but it may be too late.
Gov. Mark Dayton and top lawmakers worked Tuesday to put the finishing touches on a deal for the state's budget, including a retooled environment budget that Dayton previously vetoed.
Dayton says the final product will likely abolish the Citizens' Board at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. That nine-member board has the final say on whether to issue permits and require extensive environmental reviews.
Steven Morse from the Minnesota Environmental Partnership says Dayton should hold out to keep the board intact.
Rep. Denny McNamara says the board has outlived its purpose. The Hastings Republican notes the board has rarely reversed the agency's decisions since it was created in 1967.
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