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    Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions

    Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

    Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens' Board

    Also known as:
    MPCA Citizens’ Board
    Active dates:1967-2015
    Authority:
    1967 Minn. Laws Chap. 882
    Function:

    The board considers and makes decisions on varied and complex pollution problems that affect areas of the state.

    Succeeded by:
    Governor's Committee to Advise the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
    History:

    The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) was created in 1967 and when it was created, its legal structure included a Citizens' Board. The board considered and made decisions on varied and complex pollution problems that affect areas of the state. The agency board originally had seven members but this was changed to nine in 1969 - the commissioner of the MPCA and eight members of the public (Laws of Minnesota 1969, chapter 1038). 

    In 2015, the MPCA Citizens' Board was eliminated by Laws of Minn. 2015, 1st Sp. Sess., chap. 4, art. 4, sec. 114-117, due in part, according to news reports at the time, to lobbying efforts from big agricultural groups.

    In August 2015, Governor Dayton issued Executive Order 15-15, establishing the Governor's Committee to Advise the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

    Bills were introduced in 2023 to reinstate the board (HF2076/SF1937).
    Related to:
    Pollution Control Agency
    Membership:

    The Citizens' Board consists of the commissioner of the MPCA and eight members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate to four-year staggered terms. One member must be knowledgeable in the field of agriculture, and one member must be a representative of organized labor. The commissioner serves as chair of the Board. Meetings are held monthly. Members must file with the Ethical Practices Board.

    Entries for this agency in the Annual Compilation and Statistical Report of Multi-Member Agencies Report: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978.

    Note: This report provides membership details as well as meeting information and a summary of the group's activities.

    Documents/Articles:
    Counterpoint: Protection of natural resources need citizens' boards. Star Tribune, 6/25/2024.
    DFL nixes Citizens' Board, narrows environmental justice bill after intra-party split with Greater Minnesota lawmakers. MinnPost, 4/20/2023.
    Restore citizen voices to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency process. Star Tribune, 3/28/2023.
    Critical of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, some DFLers want to revive citizens board idea. MinnPost, 3/15/2023.
    Bills to restore Citizens Board of the MPCA working their way through Minnesota legislature. Bluestem Prairie, 3/13/2023.
    Dayton uses executive authority to preserve citizen input into MPCA decisions. Land Stewardship Project, 8/10/2015.
    Suppressing a two-way conversation. Land Stewardship Project, 7/7/2015.
    Big ag is conquering Minnesota like a noxious, unkillable weed. City Pages, 7/1/2015.
    LSP applauds MPCA Citizens' Board ordering of EIS on massive dairy factory farm. Land Stewardship Project, 8/29/2014.
    News clippings and documents. Agencies Notebook Collection, 1967-2015.
    Record last updated: 04/04/2023
     

    All information on this group from the Library’s collection of agency notebooks has been digitized. These materials are incorporated into the “documents/articles” section of the record. Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.

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