2/16/05
Join Land Stewardship Project members and hundreds of our allies from other conservation and environmental organizations from around the state on Wednesday, Feb. 23 for the Minnesota Environmental Partnership’s Citizens’ Day at the Capitol.

Schedule:
• 8:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: Legislative trainings at the Four Points Sheraton, 400 Hamline Ave. N, St. Paul (take the Hamline exit off I-94; hotel signs are visible from I-94)
• 11:15 a.m.-noon: Rally in the Rotunda of the State Capitol
• Noon-2 p.m.: Meeting with legislators at the Capitol
• 2 p.m.-4 p.m.: Legislative hearing on “Protect Our Water” legislation

In order to ensure a meeting is scheduled with your legislators please register by Friday, Feb. 18. To register for the events, or for more information, call Andria Williams in LSP’s Policy Office at 612-722-6377.

The Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) is a coalition of 90 conservation and environmental groups working together, including the Land Stewardship Project. MEP has five key legislative priorities for 2005:

• Clean-up Minnesota’s Contaminated Waters: Support generating $75-$100 million in new state and local dollars annually to test Minnesota’s waters, develop clean-up plans, and implement restoration activities to clean up contaminated waters and keep clean waters clean.

• Keep Mercury Out of Our Water: Seek a mercury-free Minnesota by establishing enforceable mercury reduction targets.

• Protect Community Rights: Support the right of local communities to create and enforce planning and zoning regulations stronger than state law in order to protect the local environment. The Legislature should do nothing to undermine that fundamental right.

• Support Responsible Off-Roading and Enforce the Law: Support legislation to protect our wetlands, waterways and public lands from destruction by reckless off-road drivers.

• Two Cents for the Great Outdoors/Smart Investments for the Future: support using at least 2 percent of the state’s general fund dollars for conservation to protect our natural areas and ensure a healthy environment and support a package of long-term bonding projects that make clean water, protected lands and healthier communities a real priority.