Permitting Reforms Implemented

With the turn of the calendar into July, new regulatory changes are now in place in Minnesota. As an example, local units of government like townships and counties can begin reviewing a feedlot permit application at the same time as the Pollution Control Agency. Minnesota AgriGrowth Executive Director Darin Broten says that dual track will expedite the process. In addition, public petitions for an environmental assessment must now be from the area where a feedlot is being proposed. “For example, if someone were building a brand new vegetable processing facility, let’s say, up in Ottertail County, you can’t have people down in Blue Earth County ask for environmental review on that; it really focuses on bringing those who are most impacted by a project into the fold and give them greater voice in the determination if and when an environmental assessment is due.” A unique coalition including AgriGrowth, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and the Minnesota Building Trades Council advocated for permitting reform.