Chris' Captiol Connection

Attend meeting to address state-wide ditch regulations I’m encouraging constituents to attend an upcoming meeting in Marshall, hosted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation early next month, to discuss state ditch-mowing policies.

Last year, MnDOT indicated it planned to change its statewide permitting standards for mowing and baling in ditches along Minnesota’s state roadways.

Myriad concerns arose over the proposed changes and I successfully authored a bill placing a moratorium on new mowing rules along state highways — excluding county and township roads — until May of 2018.

The moratorium was established to ensure the public and key stakeholders had ample opportunity to provide input regarding the changes to permitting standards prior to their enforcement.

This is a chance for all those people who have concerns about this issue to bring their message directly to MnDOT.

I have heard from a large number of people in our area who are frustrated by this issue and see it as just the latest example of a top-down push by out-of-touch bureaucrats.

Now it’s important for people who have concerns to show up at this meeting so they can be part of the decision-making process.

The meeting will take place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Marshall Middle School (401 S. Saratoga St., Marshall).

Six other meetings also have been scheduled throughout the state.

Anyone with questions can contact my office for more information at (651) 296-5374.