If Minnesota can pursue this, Michigan certainly can -- both states have hundreds of polluted waters that need fixing.
Sen. Dallas Sams, DFL-Staples, announced a plan Friday to dedicate at least $40 million this year toward cleaning up Minnesota's rivers and lakes. Flanked by other members of his party, Sams said at a news conference that cleanup is needed to prevent harm to Minnesota's tourism and fishing industries and to allow commercial and residential development in expanding areas.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty supports water cleanup, said spokesman Brian McClung, but added that there needs to be further discussion about how to pay for it. He said some of the funding could come from bond proceeds, such as those Pawlenty has suggested to improve sewage treatment plants or to pay farmers to set aside more farmland near rivers for conservation.
Marie Zellar, executive director of the Clean Water Action Alliance, said that virtually all Minnesotans hunt, fish, boat or swim, and that they deserve clean water. "It's a small price to pay to protect our $12 billion tourism and outdoor recreation industries," she said.
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/local/13739035.htm?source=rss&channel=grandforks_local
Posted by Dave at January 29, 2006 01:47 PM