State Senator Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing) has formally requested public hearings on a controversial new nitrogen rule in the cities of Goodhue, Kenyon, and Wabasha. Senator Goggin did so in a letter to Commissioner of Agriculture Dave Frederickson dated April 26.

When the Department of Agriculture announced the proposed rule, which has come under heavy criticism from Minnesota farmers, on April 24, it also announced an 80-day public comment period with public hearings scheduled across Minnesota. There were no hearings scheduled for Goodhue or Wabasha Counties, despite a March 6 pledge from Commissioner Frederickson.

“I was extremely disappointed that no public hearings were scheduled for Goodhue and Wabasha Counties during the department’s 80-day public comment period,” said Sen. Goggin. “Farmers and landowners here will be among those impacted the most by the new rule, and they deserve to have their voices heard.”

The full letter is below:

——————-

April 27, 2018

Dave Frederickson
Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert Street North
Saint Paul, MN 55155

Commissioner Frederickson,

As you are aware, farmers throughout Minnesota have expressed serious concerns about the Department of Agriculture’s proposed nitrogen rule. In my own district, I have heard from countless agriculture professionals who are worried about the potentially devastating consequences of the rule, but have not had their voices heard.

In a March 6 meeting of the Senate Agriculture Policy Committee, I specifically asked you if the Department would hold a public meeting about the issue in my district, and you agreed. The transcript is as follows, for your reference:

March 6 Ag Policy Committee
Audio: http://mnsenate.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=2328

Beginning at 1:09:40
Senator Goggin: My whole district is significantly impacted by this rule. But, I also noticed that you met in Northwest Minnesota on a number of occasions, yet they do not have restrictions. You also went to Northeast Minnesota. But when I look at Southeast Minnesota, the closest you came was Farmington and Rochester. Can you tell me why you didn’t come into Red Wing, Lake City, Wabasha, Kenyon, Wannamingo, Lewiston, Altura? They are the heart of the farming country.
Commissioner Fredrickson: …So, why we didn’t go down there? We have a whole year to go…I indeed intend to make it down to the Southeast portion of the state, hopefully soon.

Beginning at 1:12:03
Senator Goggin: I look forward to seeing you in my district this summer.
Commissioner Fredrickson: I’ll be happy to be there.
Senator Goggin: The next ten months you said.
Commissioner Fredrickson: Alright, I’ll make it.

Yet, when the Department announced the new Nitrogen rule on April 24, my district was absent from the list of scheduled public hearings. I would respectfully ask you to honor your commitment to me during that March 6 meeting and add hearings in Goodhue, Wabasha, and Kenyon.

My area is one of the most heavily impacted by the proposed new rule, and farmers here deserve to have their voices heard.

Please let me know what I can do to help get public hearings on the nitrogen rule scheduled in these cities. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Senator Mike Goggin
Senate District 21