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OLA: Minnesota lacks funding and coordination to map and plan for aggregate resources; committee urged action
Summary
A limited review by the Office of the Legislative Auditor found the state has not implemented most 2018 task force recommendations on aggregate resources, DNR mapping is underfunded, and counties vary in planning and permitting practices. Legislators said mapping and planning are important to preserve local sources of gravel and stone.
The Office of the Legislative Auditor presented a limited review on aggregate resources to the Senate Environment Committee, concluding that Minnesota has not implemented most of the 2018 task force recommendations, the Department of Natural Resources’ aggregate-mapping program is underfunded, and local planning and permitting practices related to aggregates are uneven across counties.
Jody Munson Rodriguez, deputy legislative auditor, summarized the office’s review and timeline of past task forces. The report notes that aggregate materials (sand, gravel, crushed stone) are heavy, nonrenewable and costly to transport, so preserving local sources is economically and environmentally important. The report cited 2022 production estimates of roughly 54 million metric tons of sand and gravel (about $350 million value) and 8 million metric tons of crushed stone (about $100 million value) and reminded the committee that aggregates are used in nearly all public construction projects.
The 2018 legislatively directed Aggregate Resources Task Force recommended funding the DNR’s mapping program at $950,000 per year for 10 years to complete mapping in a timely way; the OLA found that the legislature appropriated less than 20% of that recommended amount and that DNR completed only four county maps between 2018 and 2023. DNR staff told the committee the program has 2.25 FTE assigned and would need at least six FTE to meet the task force pace; funding has been sporadic and tied to one-time sources such as the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
The OLA survey of county planning staff found 83 of 87 counties responded; just over half reported their comprehensive plans include aggregate-related provisions. Most counties reported zoning and permitting systems for aggregates (conditional or interim use permits), but few reported prohibitions on development of lands identified as having aggregate resources. The OLA also found DNR’s reclamation handbook has not been updated since 1992.
Senator Johnson Stewart told the committee he planned to carry legislation to fund mapping and noted the metro-area aggregate inventory completed in 2000 projects the seven-county metropolitan area could exhaust available aggregate resources by about 2029 if current trends hold; industry representatives urged an update to that inventory. John Cunningham of the Aggregate and Ready Mix Association of Minnesota said mapping and updated inventories are urgent to keep construction costs and emissions down and encouraged rapid funding to update the 2000 metro-area inventory and accelerate statewide mapping.
The committee received the OLA report for consideration and several senators signaled support for legislation to fund and accelerate mapping and to provide additional guidance to local governments on planning and reclamation.
Ending: OLA recommended the legislature consider implementing the task force recommendations; members said they will consider funding and statutory changes to support mapping, county planning and reclamation guidance.
