Monday, April 21, 2008

Mesothelioma Study Funding Gains Approval in Minnesota Senate

The Minnesota Senate approved funding last week for a study of mesothelioma in Iron Range workers. A testy debate had taken place over the issue in the House a week earlier.

Governor Tim Pawlenty warned legislators that he would veto the study if the proposed financing were to come from a special state workers' compensation fund that could potentially raise business owners' costs.

The threat forced a compromise, which Senator David Tomassoni said should “alleviate any fears of the governor.”

Under the proposed compromise, financing for the mesothelioma study would come from a separate, “assigned risk” workers' compensation fund. According to Tomassoni, the assigned risk fund has ample reserves and is less likely to effect businesses.

Iron Range Workers & Mesothelioma

Last year, it was revealed that 58 former Iron Range miners suffered from mesothelioma, a disease caused primarily by asbestos exposure.

Research has never fully looked at the hazards of mining dust in Iron Range workers, despite decades of concern over possible health risks.

House & Governor Approval

If signed by the governor, the legislation would provide funding for research into the health of miners (past and present), their spouses, and the quality of the air around the mine. The study will be conducted by the University of Minnesota.

Representative Tom Rukavina said the House would accept the compromise to pull financing from the assigned risk fund.

Minnesota DWI and Boating

The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs
Minnesota law prohibits anyone from boating while intoxicated (BWI)—that is, operating a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or other illegal chemical. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction time. Alcohol contributes to about one-third of all fatal boating accidents nationwide. Read more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol.

Minnesota law states that a person is considered to be boating while intoxicated (BWI) if he or she:

Has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater or …
Is under the influence of alcohol or …
Is under the influence of a controlled substance or any other illegal chemical.
Operators who are impaired may be required to take tests given by an enforcement officer to determine their sobriety. Persons who refuse testing will be subject to a separate criminal charge for refusal, plus loss of their boating privileges for one year beginning immediately upon refusal.

First time violators are subject to a fine up to $1,000 plus surcharges and/or jail time and/or loss of boating privileges for 90 days during the boating season upon conviction and notification by the DNR.

If any of the following aggravating factors are involved, the offense automatically becomes a gross misdemeanor and penalties can increase to the felony level.

An alcohol concentration of .20 or more
A prior DWI conviction or refusal(s) of any kind in the past 10 years
A passenger younger than 16 years on board
It is illegal for the owner of a motorboat to knowingly allow the boat to be operated by someone under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or any other illegal chemical.

DNR Looking For Volunteers For Loon Survey

April 17, 2008


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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for about two dozen volunteers to help monitor the loon population in Becker and Otter Tail counties in northwestern Minnesota between June 27 and July 7.

The DNR, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteer observers, has gathered information about common loon numbers on more than 600 lakes distributed among six regions, or “index areas,” for the past 15 years.

“This monitoring effort has been very successful,” explained DNR Nongame Wildlife Specialist Katie Haws. “We’ve found that loon productivity (based on the number of chicks hatched) is quite stable in the region. Both Becker and Otter Tail counties have stable occupancy and productivity trends, with Becker having higher loon nesting densities.”

The survey also offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, while helping Minnesota’s state bird. The results allow the DNR to detect long-term changes in loon population health.

Volunteers are assigned a specific area lake to survey. Many of the lakes are small enough to be surveyed from shore, while others require the use of a boat or canoe.

“Given current development pressures, it is vital that we continue to monitor loon populations in the area to detect any potential problems,” Haws said.

Surveyors count the number of adult and juvenile loons seen on their assigned lake on one morning and record their observations on a data form. The entire survey can be conducted with a time commitment of just several hours during one day.



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People interested in being a volunteer loon surveyor should contact Katie Haws at (218) 308-2641 or by e-mail Katie.Haws@dnr.state.mn.us.