DNR’s plan to divert funds intended for habitat purchases draws fire
Dennis Anderson March 13, 2021 How seriously the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) led by Commissioner Sarah Strommen has blundered in its ongoing attempt to change the law governing expenditures from the Critical Habitat Program account remains to be seen. But blundered it has. Laid bare a few weeks ago, when Gov. Tim Walz's budget was unveiled, showed the DNR's [...]
Habitat plates veer from their intended mission
By DENNIS ANDERSON danderson@startribune.com February 7, 2021 Minnesota’s Critical Habitat license plates are increasingly popular with vehicle owners. But with record-level revenue from the plates’ sale, the DNR is purchasing less habitat than ever. Now the DNR wants to direct some of the money toward research and monitoring, among other uses. Dedicated accounts are the backbone of American conservation. Beginning [...]
Mille Lacs Band’s Boundary Lawsuit on hold for Appeals Court decision
PERM is reporting on the Mille Lacs Messenger’s recent article to keep this issue before the public, and to encourage support for equal protection of the law for all Minnesota citizens. Briefly, on December 21 U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson ruled in favor of the Mille Lacs Band’s lawsuit over the boundary issue. The County’s position is that the [...]
Court sets next steps in reservation boundary dispute
Both parties to the Mille Lacs reservation boundary dispute in U.S. District Court made requests for Summary Judgement. While summary judgments can sometimes lead to a quick resolution, there won't be one in this case. The question of the Court actually having the jurisdiction to make a decision has led to the court stepping back and asking both parties for [...]
Early and late season walleye harvest to be allowed on Mille Lacs in 2021
March 23, 2021 Early-season walleye anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will be able to keep one walleye 21-23 inches long or one longer than 28 inches. Summer will bring catch-and-release walleye fishing, with a mid-season closure, before the potential for a one-fish limit returns in the fall. “Lower walleye harvest this winter is allowing us to offer some open-water walleye [...]
Can MnDOT highway signs help create a ‘reservation’?
Recently, Joe Fellegy called out Gov. Walz, AG Ellison, MnDOT, over the latest tactic driving the Mille Lacs ‘reservation’ narrative. “Those new ‘Mille Lacs Indian Reservation’ signs,” Joe Fellegy, Mille Lacs Messenger, Feb 24, 2021. These signs quietly appeared just in time for the Mille Lacs Band’s annual State of the Band Address. The signage followed Gov. Walz and AG [...]