Federal officials revise grant conditions to ensure DNR logging on hunting lands serves wildlife
by Star Tribune | January 10, 2024
A public watchdog group based in Washington, D.C., applauded the US FWS for requiring extensive documentation by the DNR and pre-approval by the USFWS. The compliance is required before the DNR can offer any timber for sale on subsidized hunting land. The parcels in question have been ...
$22 million withheld from Minnesota DNR until it proves wildlife priority before logging
by Star Tribune | August 9, 2023
In a rare and possibly unprecedented move to ensure that Minnesota complies with federal environmental laws when selling timber on state hunting lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has placed a hold on $22 million in wildlife habitat grant money. “It is outrageous that ...
Watchdog group calls for tougher action against DNR on timber issue
by Star Tribune | December 22, 2022
A national watchdog group has urged U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Martha Williams to take stronger action against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for allegedly logging public wildlife lands primarily for commercial timber production. The complaint letter this week from Tim ...
Biden environmental challenge: Filling vacant scientist jobs
by Star Tribune | January 30, 2021
“The ranks of scientists who carry out environmental research, enforcement and other jobs fell in several agencies — sharply in some — under former President Donald Trump, federal data shows. Veteran staffers say many retired, quit or moved to other agencies amid pressure from an ...