Minneapolis Start Tribune, May 10, 2015, by Jeff Forester
This weekend’s fishing opener was a good reminder of the serious economic consequences and new realities surrounding the threat from aquatic invasive species (AIS) to our waters and to Minnesota’s $11.6 billion tourist industry.
Spring has sprung in Minnesota and the water temperatures are coming up quickly. It should be a great fishing opener, with the highest chances of rain in the southern half of the state - and no snow in the forecast.
This year Governor Mark Dayton has declared May 9th, the opening day of walleye fishing in Minnesota, and an undeclared official holiday in the state, "Clean Drain Dry" day in an effort to raise awareness of Aquatic Invasive Species prevention.
At the State of the State address Governor Dayton reaffirmed his commitment to passing some form of riparian buffer legislation this session.
From the perspective of a lakeshore steward, the riparian buffer proposal does not change how the land is managed. The program is more focused to address the streams, rivers and watercourses that meander through the agricultural land surrounding many Minnesota lakes.
On Thursday, March 5th, 2015, MLR Executive Director spoke at the House Environment, Natural Resources Policy and Funding Committee in opposition to House File 570, a bill that would repeal the $10 million County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid put in place last session.
On Friday, January 16th, in a packed room at the opening of the 2015 DNR Roundtable, Governor Dayton announced that he was asking the DNR to enforce a 50 foot buffer zone on all riparian property in the state.
Governor Dayton offered few details, and the announcement seemed to be a complete surprise to the more than 300 attendees. Since then agencies like the MN DNR, BWSR and Agriculture, together with interested groups, including MLR, have been meeting, and some basic details are beginning to emerge.
In 2001, as part of the Jesse Ventura tax overhaul, the Minnesota legislature created the State Business Property Tax which applies to commercial industrial property and, inexplicably, cabin properties. Originally, a portion of the tax was intended to go to local school districts, but was redirected to the State General Fund the year following enactment.
This new tax includes an automatic inflator and has increased since then to almost $1 billion a year.
2014 Tax Tips for Forest Landowners
As a forest owner, understanding tax law is an important part of owning and managing timber, participating in forest stewardship activities, and complying with tax law.
New AIS Fact Sheet Available - Understanding AIS and AIS Prevention
MLR has long understood that Minnesota's family lake places are heirlooms, not assets. Independent research shows that the average (mean) length of ownership of a Minnesota cabin is 25 years, and that 86% intend to leave their place to children and grandchildren. For many Minnesotans, the lake is where family happens. But with current inheritance and tax laws, combined with ordinary family dynamics, make the transition from one generation to the next does not happen without some planning.
Aquatic Invaders Summit
An Exploration of Collaboration, Innovation and Opportunity
SAVE THE DATE: Jan. 20-21, 2015
The 2014 Legislature established a $10 million annual Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Aid Program to counties, and appropriated $4.6 million through the Outdoor Heritage Fund to fund pilot programs to test local innovation for AIS prevention. Minnesota’s focus of AIS efforts and resources at the local level is not only likely to continue, but to increase in the future.
