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Volume 22, Issue 2 Inside This Issue Capitol Update Pages 1 & 2 Executive Director’s Report Pages 1, 2 & 4 WOTUS Update Page 3 Dale’s View Page 3 Minnesota Crop Production Retailers Reguletter Insert INPUTS Capitol Update What a difference a month makes. Executive Director’s Reflecting on the last Capitol Update, I was Report reporting about the debate and polemics around the projected surplus of $1.3 billion Hello MCPR members, and a rainy-day account at a record $2.36 billion. I predicted the Legislature’s split COVID-19 has changed between a GOP-controlled Senate and a everything. DFL-controlled House and DFL Governor sheltering in place and social distancing would make for a spirited contest and orders. The meetings are virtual internet Unprecedented seems to describe almost election focused outcome. meetings. Even the Governor, who is self- everything we encounter each day. The quarantined in the Governor’s mansion on MCPR office, while sheltering at home Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summit Ave in St Paul must communicate and social distancing, has been adjusting projected budget surplus disappeared via video and telephone. The political while we continue to meet your needs for with the recently passed $330 million bill posturing has substantially subsided. critical information with the E News and authorizing more funding for the state to Statesmanship has become the new web posting. We are answering individual questions and concerns. and all done combat COVID-19. Instructively, the bill normal at the State Capitol. within the President’s and Governor’s passed in the House by a vote of 99-4 Executive Emergency Orders. Shelter at and in the Senate by a vote of 67-0. An MCPR’s focus has shifted to keeping home may be the order for some, but unusually nonpartisan one-sided majority. MCPR members informed about the State of Minnesota’s creating of flexibility and we know for MCPR members who are essential workers, the social distancing The legislation, HF4531, is actually trust in its citizens in response to the and other best practices are just more a package of bills to respond to the closing of many state offices and inability to surmount the demands of a state that barriers to surmount as you perform the coronavirus pandemic, headlined by a bill suppliers “spring” into action. that moves $200 million from the state’s already over-regulates. Once again, MCPR members and staff have been frustrated by general fund to the COVID-19 Minnesota The duty of lobbying and influencing state the stodgy, cumbersome Minnesota release fund. Gov. Tim Walz received broad government changed dramatically when of control to temporarily allowing MCPR discretion on how to use that money to COVID-19 started defining how, when members to get crop inputs products and combat the virus when it was signed into and where we work. MCPR is fortunate services to growers. Minnesota simply law. in having a seasoned government affairs has not kept up with surrounding upper staff with years of service, experience, and The legislature has very few committee Midwest state governments in such issues (continued on page 2) meetings since the start of the Governor’s (continued on page 2) INPUTS 1 Executive Director’s Report (continued from page 1) relationships within the state and federal not being neglected. Environmental government. Like you, most of my work is activists are bemoaning the neglect they designed and operated around the trusting are getting from the press and right relationships I hold with the decision now making plans to launch strong new makers. Countless conference calls, texts, initiatives in the months and years after phone calls, and emails have produced an the pandemic is history. A case in point is Capitol Update (continued from page 1) ability to influence critical decisions about the lawsuits around the Gulf of Mexico how MCPR members are able to operate hypoxia lawsuits. MCPR members may as seasonal CDL licensing and hours of within the new guidelines. have forgotten that the courts ruled in service emergency orders. agricultures’ favor to stop the nutrient Like you, I get irritated when Minnesota numeric criteria (NNC) water standards MCPR understands the issue of political government seems stodgy and reluctant that environmental groups had demanded. staff standing up to seasoned classified to take decisive action compared to The court’s rational at the time was departmental regulatory staff. When Bill surrounding states and even the federal that they would give agriculture several Bond served in Governor Al Quie’s office government. Business as usual seems to be years to make progress toward the NNC and conditions demanded Executive the focus of some of the agency regulators. standards which they judged to be too Emergency Orders, the regulatory staff MCPR has made an art form out of severe and unrealistic in the short term. had years and a deep understanding demanding change while maintaining However, agriculture collectively promised of the rationale and safety concerns of relationships with these officials…and to make improvements. Well, guess “loosening the strings” of state control. pulling strings to circumnavigate the what…our friends in the environmental Frankly, the Gubernatorial Staff and roadblocks from officials that simply will movement are now asking what Commissioners simply had to say, “No… not change when change is required. agriculture has done in the last five years this time you must step down for the to improve and how can we prove it. temporary needs of our citizens in crisis.” MCPR has worked together with our state and federal partners in the association and Which is one reason MCPR stepped up nonprofit organization world to get things to the plate and is leading the Minnesota Given the resistance to letting go of done and keep you informed. MCPR’s E 4R Certification Nutrient Stewardship control, MCPR staff have had to risk News and web page has become a critical Program. In addition, the MCPR Board has relationships to stand up to these part of our communication with you. You asked to add to my responsibilities service pressures and preserve the open doors have also been calling Jessi and I and to you as at the 4 R Certification Nutrient of those who have discretion over MCPR MCPR Board members when you need Stewardship Council Executive Director. members through rules and regulations. prompt attention or just to check to see if The Council which will direct the program Also, we know the value of coalitions what you are experiencing is a common has been elected, an Executive Committee formed in a timely manner get around experience among MCPR members. has been appointed, and a budget and roadblocks. fundraising has already started. Yes, this is We can’t do this alone. When I have a very difficult time to start a new nutrient And then, of course, there are the ag asked for your response to a question stewardship program, but the MCPR Board friendly legislators who become important so I can gauge better how to make a believes this must be done now. “go to” officials in a time of need. In decision or provide evidence to a skeptical balance, these tensions are what we administrator, some of you have responded On another regulatory front related to always face in public affairs work. with information that has been critical in the environmental activists, please review The difference is this time the crisis is making our case to get things done. Thank the insert from Steve Taylor, a friend of unprecedented. Ë you! mine and consultant to our industry on Waters of the United States (WOTUS). But MCPR members long term concerns, He points out that federal oversight has beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, are (continued on page 4) INPUTS 2 Dale’s View Hello MCPR Members, The corona virus challenges have substantially changed our operations. What has not changed is the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Update commitment ag retailers have to By Steve Taylor, MidAmerica CropLife Association (MACA) serve growers. Another thing that has not changed is the imperative For those who follow water issues, (pages 44-45). Back in 2015, SAB members of MCPR’s role to lead our industry, a milestone event occurred with the actually complained that the old WOTUS influence the policy makers, and inform finalization of the new WOTUS rule. I have rule poorly defined the term “significant you of the latest developments. In read the entire 340-page pre-publication nexus.” But of course, with vast amounts agriculture, we surmount any challenge version of the final rule and compared of additional research and research grants, we face as we move full speed to it to the comments provided by MACA. scientists could possibly establish connectivity. service growers. Low margins leave Overall, I am pleased by how much of our little room for mistakes, so we have comments are integrated into the final In 2015, the SAB comments ebbed version of the rule. Basically, the federal and flowed between issues of science, another opportunity as retailers to government is generally pulling back from policy, and legal jurisdiction. The new rule showcase our expertise and reevaluate the aggressive expansion of the Clean states that “science cannot dictate where grower plans and adjust to what Water Act. The new rule reflects a new to draw the line between Federal and State mother nature has dealt us. MCPR respect for the sovereignty of the States as or tribal waters, as those are legal is aggressively representing your issues involving the use of private property distinctions that have been established interests at the State Capitol which are again placed within the purview of the within the overall framework and construct should give you some solace.

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