Legislative auditor reports on environment reviews
The legislative auditor releases a report Tuesday on Minnesota's process for environmental reviews of private-sector projects.
Minnesota laws and rules require that certain mining, commercial development, animal feedlot and other proposals undergo environmental reviews. When a project's environmental impact could be significant, a comprehensive environmental impact statement is required.
The evaluation will focus on the timeliness and efficiency of the state's environmental review and permitting practices. It will also compare Minnesota with surrounding states and certain other states that have their own environmental review processes.
The Minnesota House on Monday passed and sent Gov. Mark Dayton a bill aimed at speeding up the environmental review and permitting process for businesses. It would set a goal for the state to rule on permit applications within 150 days.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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