April 14, 1999 - The Koch Petroleum Group has announced plans to cut emissions at its Rosemount Refinery by 50 percent over the next 5 years. Koch officials say the voluntary effort is designed to polish the company's environmental image and help it compete in the long haul. Koch also announced a Minnesota environmental group will help monitor the company's emmissions.
April 5, 1999 - Every spring for thousands of years, people have noted the first leaf buds opening, the first insects hatching, and other signs of the changing seasons. The study of seasonal plant and animal activity is called "phenology."---a field which in the past has often been dismissed as old fashioned. Now, scientists realize such observations can be a valuable tool for studying global climate change.
March 26, 1999 - Supporters of a hunting and trapping season for Minnesota wolves suffered a setback today, as a wolf management plan that would NOT allow a season for at least five years cleared a senate committee.
March 25, 1999 - The Minnesota House has voted 94 to 37 for a hunting and trapping season for the gray wolf once the animal comes off the endangered species list. Members approved the bill at the urging of Northern Minnesota legislators who said wolves in their districts are coming into increasing conflict with people. Minnesota wolves are expected to be removed from federal protection sometime in the year 2000.
March 23, 1999 - Environmental groups released a study today saying there is no need for a four lane bridge over the St. Croix River near Stillwater. The current crossing is a two lane, historic lift bridge that often causes traffic snarls and delays. The study by a consultant at the University of California at Davis says a two lane bridge would be adequate for at least 20 years, and Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic projections showing the need for a larger bridge are seriously flawed.
March 22, 1999 - Native American elders from several states are supporting the Mendota Medwakanton Dakota in their effort to prevent the reroute of highway 55 in Minneapolis . In two days of testimoney, the elders told federal and state transportation officials that a site near the route of the proposed highway has long been sacred to many tribes.
March 4, 1999 - DFL State Senator Steve Morse is resigning to take the number two job at the State Department of Natural Resources. In his 12 years at the legislature, Morse has been a champion of environmental causes and has won high marks with such groups as the Sierra Club and the Izaak Walton League.
March 3, 1999 - Representatives of a conservative California-based think tank visited Minnesota this week to share their vision of new approach to protecting the environment. Representatives of the Reason Foundation say they came to Minnesota because its among the states moving fastest toward a non-traditional, freemarket style of environmental regulation.
February 25, 1999 -
February 8, 1999 - The Minnesota department of transportation has temporarily halted an archeological survey of land in the path of the proposed highway 55 reroute in Minneapolis. A crew was scheduled to begin survey work this morning, but left the site at the request of highway opponents.