2007 Minnesota Statutes

116C.04 POWERS AND DUTIES.
    Subdivision 1. Scope; votes. The powers and duties of the Minnesota Environmental Quality
Board shall be as provided in this section and as otherwise provided by law or executive order.
Actions of the board shall be taken only at an open meeting upon a majority vote of all the
permanent members of the board.
    Subd. 2. Jurisdiction. (a) The board shall determine which environmental problems of
interdepartmental concern to state government shall be considered by the board. The board
shall initiate interdepartmental investigations into those matters that it determines are in need
of study. Topics for investigation may include but need not be limited to future population and
settlement patterns, air and water resources and quality, solid waste management, transportation
and utility corridors, economically productive open space, energy policy and need, growth and
development, and land use planning.
(b) The board shall review programs of state agencies that significantly affect the
environment and coordinate those it determines are interdepartmental in nature, and insure agency
compliance with state environmental policy.
(c) The board may review environmental rules and criteria for granting and denying permits
by state agencies and may resolve conflicts involving state agencies with regard to programs,
rules, permits and procedures significantly affecting the environment, provided that such
resolution of conflicts is consistent with state environmental policy.
(d) State agencies shall submit to the board all proposed legislation of major significance
relating to the environment and the board shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature
with comments on such major environmental proposals of state agencies.
    Subd. 3. Cooperation. The board shall cooperate with regional development commissions in
appropriate matters of environmental concern.
    Subd. 4. Task forces. The board may establish interdepartmental or citizen task forces or
subcommittees to study particular problems.
    Subd. 5.[Repealed, 1984 c 558 art 2 s 4]
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1984 c 558 art 2 s 4]
    Subd. 7. Annual congress. At its discretion, the board shall convene an annual
Environmental Quality Board congress including, but not limited to, representatives of state,
federal and regional agencies, citizen organizations, associations, industries, colleges and
universities, and private enterprises who are active in or have a major impact on environmental
quality. The purpose of the congress shall be to receive reports and exchange information on
progress and activities related to environmental improvement.
    Subd. 8.[Repealed, 1982 c 524 s 9]
    Subd. 9.[Repealed, 1982 c 524 s 9]
    Subd. 10. Stipulation agreements. The board may enter into and enforce stipulation
agreements made to enforce statutes and rules administered by the board.
    Subd. 11. Coordination. The Environmental Quality Board shall coordinate the
implementation of an interagency compliance with existing state and federal lead regulations and
report to the legislature by January 31, 1992, on the changes in programs needed to comply.
History: 1973 c 342 s 4; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1988 c 501 s 2; 1991 c 292 art 9 s 1