DNR rule changes

Below is a letter written to some aquatic biologist friends regarding a DNR rule change open for public comment. If anyone out there is willing to send a letter to the judge in favor of these rule changes, it could greatly affect the outcome of the judicial hearing. Minnesota needs this rule change. I watched the opposition to these rulings (largely Lake Minnetonka property owners at this particular meeting), NOT a pretty site.

For more on this, take a look at a friend’s summary of the issues:
http://beltramiswcd.blogspot.com/search?q=Minnesotan's

Hi Science/Water-nerds,

I've spoken with some of you regarding the pending DNR rule changes for aquatic plant management. During an internship this past summer, I had a chance to closely follow the politics and science of the proposed changes. The short version of the story: The DNR would like to decrease the amount of submerged vegetation that can be mechanically and/or chemically removed by lake shore landowners. The opposition, Minnesotans For Healthy Lakes http://www.mnhealthylakes.org/(ironic, I know), is well-organized, vocal, angry and willfully uninformed. Go here for more on the proposed rule changes: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/rules/apm/index.html

I'd very much like to see this rule pass. If any of you are willing to utilize whatever scientific and/or political sway you can muster, it would be appreciated.

The rule has been opened for public comment and the judge is accepting written comments until 4:30pm on Dec. 1st.

Send comments to:
Administrative Law Judge Richard C. Luis
Office of Administrative Hearings
600 North Robert Street
P.O. Box 64620
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0620

Thanks, I hope all is well!
John Kamman

A brief update:

Sorry to those of you who still check in on this periodically.
Update:

1. I’m in S. Minneapolis and going to school at the University of St. Thomas. I’m working towards my MBA with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management. Music has, unfortunately, taken a back seat to school work. I’m trying to change that soon. Life here is good.

2. In about a month and a half I’ll be heading to Guatemala for the month January at this school: http://www.ecoescuelaespanol.org/ Should be great!

3. Over the summer I’ll be guiding two biology courses through Costa Rica with this program: http://www.academictreks.com/programs/gl/sts_gl.asp I’ll be rafting, canopy-touring, turtleing…etc Should be a great summer job.