SEMEP

Welcome to SEMEP's Internet Site

We are a tax exempt, non-profit environmental advocacy organization working to protect Southeastern Minnesota's people, natural assets and environment; while promoting sustainable economic development. We hope that your visit will be informative.

SEMEP NEWS and EVENTS

Jessica Moger - Developing Environmentalist

A recent graduate of Fillmore Central High School is fast becoming an environmental leader. Jessica Moger of rural Amherst Township is currently a sophomore at the University of Minnesota. She is also active with Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG), a statewide student-run non-profit organization, where she works to advocate for the state's Clean Car bill that would require vehicle manufacturers to adopt standards to reduce pollution by 30%. Earlier this year, Jessica Moger participated in an MPIRG sponsored trip to Washington, DC to attend a 4-day environmental conference called Powershift. This conference enabled developing environmentalists like Jessica Moger to lobby legislators to support environmental legislation. Jessica Moger was recently featured in the Fillmore County Journal.

SEMEP sponsored an environmental presentation by Jessica Moger before an assembly of students at Fillmore Central Middle School in Preston on May 20th, to discuss her recent trip to Washington. Ms. Moger spoke about why she became interested in environmental issues, and encouraged middle school students to become involved in their communities at an early age.

State Legacy Amendment Funding Tops List Of 2009 Legislative Accomplishments for Conservation

More than $300 million in new projects dedicated to protect lakes, rivers and streams and Minnesota’s Great Outdoors was heralded today by the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, a statewide coalition of more than 80 conservation and environmental organizations, as one of the major achievements of the 2009 Legislative Session. The Legislature has fulfilled the promise of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment by authorizing one of the most comprehensive efforts to protect and restore Minnesota’s water; preserve natural areas and wildlife habit; and maintain state, regional and metro parks,” said Steve Morse, executive director of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, a nonprofit coalition representing more than 450,000 Minnesotans. “Last November more than 1.6 million Minnesotans voted to raise their own taxes to pay for what they treasure most about Minnesota. The Legislature’s actions put us well on our way to protect Minnesota’s future for our children and grandchildren.

The Legacy Amendment allocations for the Great Outdoors contain:

$151 million for clean water projects including testing of all Minnesota waters in the next 10 years and implementation of clean-up programs. A portion of the funds will be used to identify failing septic systems and help homeowners replace them.

$87.5 million to protect land and wildlife habitat, including the state’s largest conservation easement of 187,000 acres for the Upper Mississippi Forest. In addition, there is $63.5 million set aside for further land and wildlife habitat projects to be identified and authorized in 2011.

$65 million to maintain and operate Minnesota’s state, regional and metro parks.

Federal Action on Clean Cars Meets Minnesota’s Needs

On May 19th, the Barack Obama administration announced new federal clean cars standards. The new federal standards will reduce tailpipe emissions by 30 percent by 2016, the same goal as in the proposed Minnesota Clean Car Standard legislation, which was not adopted by the Minnesota Legislature.

Ban Bisphenol A (BPA) In Children's Products

Minnesota has a new law banning the sale of children's products made from plastics that contain the additive Bisphenol A, beginning January 1, 2010. The typical children's products using these clear plastics are bottles and sippy cups. Although Bisphenol A has been used in a variety of products for over 50 years, recent medical studies have concluded that this chemical is an endocrine disruptor that can cause brain development problems for infants.

Many retailers have already vowed to stop selling bottles containing BPA. And in March, the leading six baby bottle manufacturers -- Avent, Disney First Years, Gerber, Dr. Brown, Playtex and Evenflo -- agreed to end its use. Nalgene, which manufactures popular brightly colored plastic water bottles, has also stopped using BPA.

So is Minnesota's law still needed? The answer, according to advocates, is yes. "... The most significant reason is that not all retailers have agreed to stop carrying BPA free bottles -- like dollar stores. Parents shouldn't have to keep a list of where it is safe to shop,'' said Deanna White, program director for Clean Water Action of Minnesota.

For additional information on these projects, click on our SEMEP Projects page. SEMEP will report on our progress to determine if these projects have a potential adverse environmental impact upon the communities and natural assets in which they are proposed.