[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6280825,"mediaKeyId","2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad","parentId",2610607,"title","Minnesota lawmakers hear from fired park staff and DNR on local impacts of federal workforce cuts","audioSeconds",1300,"startMs",432000,"endMs",1732000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad&start=432&end=1732","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad/thumbnail_432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280825/Minnesota/Minnesota-lawmakers-hear-from-fired-park-staff-and-DNR-on-local-impacts-of-federal-workforce-cuts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280825-5124a76476d7d6856ac3ce9aba466e03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160571&Signature=cN3b~wKPKx3i41C2uYlXNpi2jWPMEqBF5N30zdn8aJkbnFmJ0YxjHNwNlUDN1YDK3Knfjo6eJtcNLma0nR61aW89MdyLVXZPFcoId9yT6-5scM5yISHAaoQrfoTb~EWvdGvlLzDOCFT9yF~eFM7NwP4AvHHPj7IbCfTtHj0qVatAwCGlskwBjOnfhyPvYEfzzMGqkUhYqvExca7oDB1Mo-F1LzXVpUhht6E3-6erzIXG4D1OP0s0Nr2dSWg6dF3dHQv3x77L~JbPAZ4tVvvVgbUo5vb2FsNn3bZd3o5HpM8G4xXvFmxiCfvLunr2j2gDyz58G-d2u8v65xtQWczhwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Senate","date","2025-03-12T22:19:12Z","article","Senator Houchow convened an informational hearing on March 13 to examine the local effects of recent federal terminations of National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service employees and to hear from affected former employees and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Two former National Park Service employees, Kate Severson and Jessica Loeffler, described personal and program losses after being removed from their positions in mid‑February. Severson, who said she had been the chief of interpretation and education at Voyageurs National Park, told the committee that her firing during a probationary period has disrupted education and visitor programs and could force her to leave International Falls. “The National Park Service system is under attack by the current administration,” she said, and she described the parks’ economic role, citing a 2023 report showing $20,400,000 in visitor spending associated with Voyageurs National Park.

Jessica Loeffler said she was a biological science technician at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MINRA) and listed conservation duties that are no longer being done because of staff reductions, including a monarch monitoring program, heron rookery monitoring and planning for endangered amphibians. “We were promoted only to receive an email stating that we are being terminated due to poor performance,” she said, describing a workplace climate where employees with positive reviews received termination notices. Loeffler said her position had included preparing grant applications and that, with her termination, terrestrial wildlife representation at her park is effectively zero.

Patty Tylen, Forestry Division Director for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, explained how the DNR coordinates wildfire suppression with federal partners and outlined contingency plans. Tylen said DNR coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs improves response but that Minnesota’s wildfire response “is not contingent on federal partners' availability.” She said the DNR recently received Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (bipartisan infrastructure law) grants that will support local volunteer fire departments, state fire capacity, wildfire mitigation, and a Community Wildfire Defense Grant for St. Louis County to implement treatments around Ely and Vermillion.

Tylen acknowledged that some federal employees who participated in wildfire suppression have been separated but said DNR does not yet know the magnitude of federal reductions. The department has proactively reached out to known recently separated federal employees to inform them about seasonal firefighter openings and is relying on multi‑state mutual aid through the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact (GLIFSI) and other reciprocity agreements to meet surge needs. “We will continue to prepare for and respond to wildfire in Minnesota, to the best of our capabilities,” Tylen said, noting DNR participates in weekly coordination calls among firefighting agencies.

Committee members pressed DNR on near‑term fire risk and local capacity. Tylen said spring risk changes rapidly and DNR staff monitor conditions full time, using aerial detection and public reports. She said DNR can move resources within the state and request reciprocal assistance from other states, though that can be more costly than using in‑state staff.

Lawmakers from northern districts expressed strong concern about the local consequences of federal cuts for recreation, education and fire protection, and several said they are pursuing state options to support affected workers and communities. Senator Hauschild said many federal employees report pressure to take early retirement and described draft state legislative language to help employees access unemployment benefits under some circumstances. Committee members also discussed broader ecosystem management concerns raised by staff reductions, including cross‑border programs for fisheries and invasive species that depend on federal coordination.

No formal action was taken; the hearing record will be available to the committee for any follow‑up work.

Ending: Committee members said they will continue to monitor federal workforce changes and their implications for Minnesota and may pursue state measures to support wildfire response and affected workers.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/13/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Houchow convened an informational hearing March 13 to examine how recent federal terminations of National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service employees are affecting Minnesota parks, visitor services, conservation programs and wildfire response.","taxTitle","Environment, Climate, and Legacy, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Minnesota","taxId",15804,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280822,"Senate bill would fund statewide aggregate mapping after OLA recommendations; counties, industry back plan",1415,3790000,5205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad&start=3790&end=5205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad/thumbnail_3790000.jpg","/articles/6280822/Minnesota/Senate-bill-would-fund-statewide-aggregate-mapping-after-OLA-recommendations-counties-industry-back-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280822-4c6c9bd714b595bbc5a23f2743e696a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160572&Signature=etCq~5wT0m1k~tpWjKgeIAIDxp1TqsAcRVpvS-BPbi~fdMDs812DhZ~FkTlplpRnzcDM7vEx39mFJmR7HQv24mNz9TmbVQUefK5wslJr-oGRfccxAEO02EnRJ7E0Uta0bHZk6Ojz9O6S5crYvu9JPLBKvvpA3RHcCWn~llQcofr~JfpjwFfepiXZ0K-4sV7S2jq1epe1H8eftdlINeDlK0VqLYNc4e1zjqCd15S4go44w3UDMGF7ZvyR~UCy5zLMa-sLL4BcXBxaNxwai3ImS1BEOd1LBmIiZwYBE2Z06ncL3HiEpg1dDJw8Rwj-5XRksxxa-gKQNO8A-oKVoxDP-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Johnson Stewart presented Senate File 1751 on March 13, advancing a bill to fund statewide mapping of construction aggregate (sand, gravel and crushed stone) and to audit the aggregate production tax. The bill was amended in committee and recommended for referral to the State and Local Government Committee by voice vote.

Johnson Stewart told the committee, “We have a desperate need to preserve, identify, and find aggregate in Minnesota,” and said aggregate is a major component of roads, concrete and asphalt. The bill implements recommendations from a 2018 legislative task force and an updated evaluation; it would fund two years of DNR aggregate mapping focused on the 80 counties outside the seven‑county Twin Cities metropolitan area and provide a smaller update for the metro inventory.

Industry representatives supported the bill. Darren Lee of the Aggregate and Ready Mix Association told the committee that about two‑thirds of every cubic yard of concrete and roughly 90% of asphalt tonnage is aggregate and warned that local access reduces truck transport costs and CO2 emissions. Abby Bridal, executive director of the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association, urged support, saying the bill would strengthen local planning, reduce transportation distances and lower project costs and fuel consumption.

Committee members questioned language in section 3 that asks the DNR commissioner to consult stakeholders and return recommendations related to the permitting process. Senator Greene expressed concern that the language could eventually be used to restrict private land development; witnesses and the author clarified the provision asks for recommendations and does not itself impose permitting requirements. Questions also focused on funding: the bill follows the OLA task force’s recommendation for roughly $950,000 per year for 10 years (figure from the 2018 task force report, in 2018 dollars). DNR testimony (Heather Arens, mineral potential manager) said LCCMR funding has supported mapping at lower levels and that the task force’s recommended funding is larger than past appropriations.

Senator Johnson Stewart moved the A4 amendment and then moved the bill as amended; the committee voice‑voted to recommend passage and referred the bill to State and Local Government. The committee record shows a voice vote (aye/ opposed not recorded as roll call). The bill would return to the full legislature through the referral process.

Ending: The bill was recommended to State and Local Government, with sponsors and industry groups urging adoption. Several members asked for clearer statutory language around permitting and the bill author said she would work with stakeholders on clarifying amendments before the next committee.

","Senate File 1751 would fund a DNR program to map construction aggregate across Minnesota and audit the aggregate production tax, following recommendations from a 2018 task force and a 2025 evaluation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280812,"DNR lands bill would add 58 acres to Carley State Park; counties seek private sale of tax‑forfeited parcels",162,5674000,5836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad&start=5674&end=5836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad/thumbnail_5674000.jpg","/articles/6280812/Minnesota/DNR-lands-bill-would-add-58-acres-to-Carley-State-Park-counties-seek-private-sale-of-taxforfeited-parcels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280812-1e3845f41e91aae161d7147084fbd1a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160572&Signature=dt4v4cMJrvCJWvcpfW7G4lx3xkjAbaJbxv66ikdQxrbd8qIsrlX02veXd6r428EwQZhJLlYfVJmjafNBrVfnXx68uzEdwNnwym1VG-Jkgvrf2Jwa8A92olzzDs5dddiVsBXQZ4wFdPqKMaBkOsxXf3N794EWtnJ4aqs4bZPysl9sR6GfmNYYKTudg5vyh~cLrP-03S0Gb1HF1SgyEwNnWbH-FF2H6eG6JJ6Y~wjLAL1QypEMl0cw-ntMXKkJAiK3PBsGVYEamhjr8hRWgK1~rcacyn2FWfhnG76cZiHjIg3ljZDezZoDQD0Hf6D6D9k2-r0V-hoY-ZsCKaQtzKAyDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Hao Chao introduced the Department of Natural Resources’ 2025 lands bill (Senate File 16 35) to the committee on March 13. The bill, amended in committee, contains four sections: a state park boundary change to add about 58 acres to Carley State Park and three county requests to sell tax‑forfeited parcels by private sale.

Laurie Klein, attorney for DNR’s Division of Lands and Minerals, summarized the bill. She said section 1 adds roughly 58 acres to Carley State Park to facilitate a planned donation; the parcel includes the north branch of the Whitewater River, restored prairie and partial forest cover. Under Minnesota statute 85.012 (statutory authority referenced in testimony), the commissioner can acquire lands for park purposes if they lie within park boundaries. Sections 2–4 authorize Aitkin County and St. Louis County to sell specified tax‑forfeited parcels; DNR reviewed those county requests and reported no departmental concerns.

Landowners Mike and Jeanette Morath were present and described the donation intent. Mike Morath said the added acreage will help create a wildlife corridor and noted the park’s notable spring wildflowers. Jeanette Morath confirmed the parcel is intended to be donated under their estate plan and that the boundary change is a procedural step required so DNR can accept the land.

Committee members did not raise substantive objections; Senator Hao Chao noted the bill is noncontroversial and includes additional parcels suggested by other members. The lands bill as amended was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus lands package.

Ending: The committee recorded the lands bill for possible inclusion in omnibus legislation; no formal opposition was raised in committee.

","Senate File 16 35, the DNR lands bill, would add approximately 58 acres to Carley State Park to accept a future donation and authorizes several county tax‑forfeited land sales; owners of the parcel addressed the committee and DNR said the transactions are routine.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280817,"Senate advances bill to create sustainable foraging task force after concerns about rulemaking",279,5210000,5489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad&start=5210&end=5489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2610607-67d5de9f7f03b04c6b24677d69e935ad/thumbnail_5210000.jpg","/articles/6280817/Minnesota/Senate-advances-bill-to-create-sustainable-foraging-task-force-after-concerns-about-rulemaking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280817-c0f289137e69ef480a0ee24be77bbdd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131949&Signature=jxUk0V-~I~5NjhUM2YK98PUIOMrApu7erJNY61wtqkkrnT5AuloJFWHw3XVlo8e9retU5ZVJaBspWK0KcbNEP48aAqai7uvFD8bEQQs03zRNP-HD7XnYITCB30Mproj~X~XxToTAYrIonY-uHsib3xmbjpc07iUi1IwW78gPRvMeaiZPw9fBcEMwYKLCwb5nrkznoFuL7p6BdOMtT-Rnw~BLylOr2jVBop0Q1SNCTTVlyV41p2K1wYj-ldLKjWHkKg90qKE15LqzQUeg~SPQNfTbjyFquIM94WgX62rfJBK99-dX9AHGDWzjk3WSllkvlIJrnU-PUJZpRnyC6vtoCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Pah presented Senate File 14 64 on March 13, a bill to create a Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force to study and recommend policies for foraging on state lands. The A6 amendment moved the task force to the Legislative Coordinating Commission, set membership and tightened the timeline for recommendations to reach the legislature by February 2026. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended the bill to State and Local Government by voice vote.

Multiple witnesses and stakeholders urged creation of a stakeholder‑led process. Peter Marciniak (Minnesota Mycological Society) said foraging is widely practiced across cultural communities and cited concerns that the Department of Natural Resources had discussed rule changes without including foraging stakeholders. “We support this legislation in order to better support responsible and sustainable foraging as a recognized means of connecting with our natural resources,” Marciniak said.

Sean Sherman of North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) urged the committee to acknowledge Indigenous knowledge and its role in sustainable harvesting practices, saying plant knowledge “is everything to us.” Tara Erickson, who has organized advocacy around the issue, said stakeholders sought a seat at the table after hearing of possible DNR rule changes; she said DNR staff had proposed numeric quantity limits (for example, a one‑gallon bag) without stakeholder input and that some proposed limits would not fit commonly foraged items.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer of the DNR told the committee there is no active rulemaking on foraging on the department roster at this time and that the department’s intent was not to prohibit foraging but to ensure sustainable, noncommercial collection in units where volume had exceeded personal‑use intent. He described statutory differences among state land units and said some units (for example, scientific and natural areas) already restrict collection. Meyer said the department has an internal working group and a tribal relations team addressing traditional ecological knowledge and pledged to work with the task force and stakeholders.

Supporters emphasized that the task force would not itself change law but would produce recommendations for the legislature. Senator Pah said the task force would provide “robust discussions” and recommendations so legislators could consider evidence‑based policy. The committee adopted the bill as amended and referred it to State and Local Government.

Ending: The committee recommended the task force bill for further consideration and several members asked the author and DNR to coordinate on membership, scope and a transparent timeline for stakeholder meetings.

","Senate File 1464 would create a legislative task force to develop recommendations on sustainable foraging on state lands; DNR said it paused rulemaking and supports stakeholder input, while foraging groups and indigenous leaders urged a science‑ and tradition‑based approach to preserve access and stewardship.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Minnesota lawmakers hear from fired park staff and DNR on local impacts of federal workforce cuts

Senate bill would fund statewide aggregate mapping after OLA recommendations; counties, industry back plan

DNR lands bill would add 58 acres to Carley State Park; counties seek private sale of tax‑forfeited parcels

Senate advances bill to create sustainable foraging task force after concerns about rulemaking