Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Patrick Condon, Associated Press
St. Paul, Minn.

Report calls Minn. permitting process slow, duplicative

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Minnesota's legislative auditor said Tuesday that the state's process for environmental review of private-sector jobs is too often burdened by delays, uncertainty and duplication of effort.

The report, due to be reviewed by state lawmakers later in the day, found inconsistencies in expertise and experience among various state government agencies charged with managing environmental assessments and environmental impact statements.

It said agencies such as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Natural Resources lack adequate data to measure or monitor the timeliness of their environmental review and permitting processes, and identify needed improvements.

"The time PCA or DNR took to issue environmental permits varied considerably," the report said. "PCA took less than a day to issue some water permits but more than a year for hazardous waste permits. Timeliness varied by permit area and type but also due to factors such as the projects' complexity and the completeness of proposers' initial applications and data."

Between them, the Pollution Control Agency and the DNR along with various local government agencies are charged with issuing permits for everything from animal feedlots to mines.

In projects where such permitting is required, state law prohibits businesses undertaking the projects from starting construction until the process is complete.

From fiscal years 2007 to 2010, the state handled 229 environmental assessments and seven environmental impact statements for private sector proposals.

On Monday, the Minnesota House passed and sent to Gov. Mark Dayton a bill aimed at speeding up the environmental review and permitting process under scrutiny in the auditor's report. The bill sets a goal for the state to rule on permit applications within 150 days.

Earlier this year, the Democratic governor implemented several aspects of the legislative proposal with an executive order. He said Monday he needed to review the full bill before deciding whether to sign or veto it.

Some legislative Democrats had raised concern about a provision that would allow businesses to commission their own draft environmental reviews, calling it a conflict of interest.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)