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VNPA tells MPCA: Proposed plan to reduce Regional Haze not good enough
Alongside other public landowners and environmental advocacy organizations, VNPA Executive Director Jody Tableporter asked the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to reject the state's proposed plan to control the "Regional Haze" that is marring Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The state's plan did not require appropriate controls at targeted pollution emitters, like power plants and taconite facilities. Tableporter asked the MPCA to consider not only the regional haze and health impacts, but the detrimental effects continued air pollution will have on Northern Minnesota's economy, one that is increasingly reliant on tourism and outdoor recreation. The MPCA has delayed their decision on the plan. VNPA will continue to monitor this issue and will update members on MPCA's decision.
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A view of the Northern Lights looking out over Voyageurs National Park in March.
Photo by Burgess Eberhardt
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VNPA executive director Jody Tableporter, Superintendent Michael Ward, and representatives from Koochiching County, St. Louis County and the City of International Falls traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Minnesota's only National Park and build support with elected officials and federal agencies.
VNPA met with Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar; Congressmen Chip Cravaack, Erik Paulsen, and Collin Peterson; and staff from Betty McCollum's office. Discussions focused on lobbying for their support of the Park's budget and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Strategic meetings with BrandUSA, the National Parks Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association, and Rebecca Wodder, Senior Advisor to the Secretary at Department of the Interior were also held to guide VNPA's project planning and fundraising for this year.
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