September 6, 1999 - The end of the state fair can't come fast enough for the fish on display at the DNR booth. About a third of the fish in the four-foot-deep outdoor cement pond have developed sores on their bodies caused by fungus. Muskies, northern pike and brown trout seem to be the most afflicted. Steve Oie is a fishery specialist with the DNR metro region who runs the DNR fish exhibit. He says the fish become susceptible to fungus after being transported from a nearby pond.
September 6, 1999 - MPR’s Eric Jansen reports on trip from the BWCA, after the severe storm on the Fourth of July that downed millions of trees over more than 300,000 acres. Despite the devastation, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is already showing signs of recovery.
September 16, 1999 - A new report says rainfall in the upper midwest is loaded with mercury, which is polluting the region's lakes and streams. The National Wildlife Federation report says rainfall in the Duluth area holds about six times the amount of mercury considered safe for people. Readings in some urban areas like Detroit are about 65-times the safe level. Bill Grant is Director of the Midwest Energy Program at the Isaac Walton League. He says mercury is a naturally occurring metal, but in this case the problem is the result of human action.
September 21, 1999 - MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with nature photographer Jim Brandenburg about the the Boundary Waters after the massive blowdown. Brandenburg discusses the unknown long-term effects to the forest and animals.
September 27, 1999 - Ron Offutt, aka Sultan of Spuds & the Lord of the Fries, grows more potatoes than anyone else in the world, and the potatoes are perfect for French fries. But his success has a price. Growing the perfect French fry has an environmental downside, as people in small towns near Offutt's potato farms have learned to their dismay.
September 28, 1999 - Ron Offutt, aka Sultan of Spuds & the Lord of the Fries, grows more potatoes than anyone else in the world. The potatoes are perfect for French fries for fast food chains like McDonald's and frozen French fry processors like JR Simplot and Ore Ida. But Offutt’s success has a downside. Many people who live near Offutt's potato farms worry about the pesticides sprayed on his fields.....but they soon find they're up against a system much bigger than they are.
September 29, 1999 - It's been six months since state and federal fisheries experts signed a historic agreement with the Red Lake Indian Reservation to collaborate on a long-term recovery plan for walleye on the upper and lower Red Lakes. Now, biologists say the stocking program on the Red Lakes appears to be working, even as new possibilities are explored.
September 29, 1999 - There's an urban forest just minutes from downtown St Paul -- where a group of teens have been working to restore the native ecosystem. In addition to its natural beauty, the area ---called Swede Hollow--- has historical importance as home to a succession of immigrants. The teens worked with enviornmental artist Chris Baumler.
December 30, 1999 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on fear of fire danger into new century after BWCA area blowdown. Kelleher interviews several forest officials.
January 4, 2000 - An attorney for a former employee at the Koch refinery in Rosemount portrayed him as a good worker who was fired because he reported serious environmental violations by the company. Charles Chadwell is suing Koch Petroleum Group under a state law that protects whistleblowers from retailiation.The case went before a 10 person civil jury yesterday in Minneapolis. An attorney for Koch told the jury Chadwell was fired for "legitimate and lawful reasons." Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports. Charles Chadwell is a former waste water treatment operator at the Koch refinery in Rosemount. He was fired in 1997, eight months after he reported environmental violations to the Minnesota