Welcome to Legislative Session 2025!
We have two things for you do to now, depending on your geography.
Legislative Help Needed Across the State!
Please let us know if you are interested in helping with this session’’s legislative efforts. Use this form to let us know.
If you are a constituent of Senator Foung Hawj (SD67)…
… please help us out by joining in an effort to get a hearing for our bill protecting lands from the ravages of motorized recreational vehicles.
The MN Public Lands Coalition is organizing a virtual (zoom) meeting with Senator Foung Hawj to urge him to schedule a hearing for a common sense bill that will help to protect our state forest lands--habitats, wetlands, and waters-- from motorized recreational vehicle impacts. These impacts are exacerbated by climate change.
Can you join the MN PLC for this meeting?
The measures in the bill require riders to stay on designated trails, call for an environmental review for new and expanded trails, give Tribes and local communities a greater voice into where trails should be sited, and protect waters. These protections are critically needed given the ongoing multi-million-dollar expansion of motorized trail systems happening in the state. There are over a half million registered recreational motorized vehicles in Minnesota, according to recent DNR data.
Senator Hawj, who is Chair of the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee, has been a champion for the environment and environmental justice issues, but has many priorities in front of him. We need to make sure he hears from his constituents about this bill and ask him to schedule a hearing, as well as support its passage.
One bill measure requires OHVs to access only designated and posted trails, which is not in current law for state forests north of highway 2 where most of our public lands are. The lack of posting has resulted in user-created trails that fragment the forest, degrade habitat, and spread invasive species.
Please indicate that you are interested in participating by emailing Libby Bent at webergeb@gmail.com The MnPLC will be sending a request for a meeting to the Senator’s scheduler soon and your participation as a constituent of Senator Hawj is key to passing this legislation.
Thank you for supporting these efforts.
Groups supporting this bill are:
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Department of Natural Resources
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Natural Resources
North American Grouse Partnership
Audubon Mn.
DFL Environmental Caucus
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
The Mn League of Women Voters
Sierra Club, North Star Chapter
Izaak Walton League, the Mn. Division
The Wilderness Society
The Friendly Pollinator Alliance
Clean Water Action
Minnesota Association of Townships
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council