Olson Heads DNR Streamline Committee

State Senator Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji, has been appointed chair of a newly-formed Senate task force that will study a possible reorganization of the state's environment and natural resource agencies and programs.

The Natural Resources Reform and Realignment Task Force will begin meeting next month to take input from stakeholder groups and the public on how the state can realign the state's current environmental protection programs-which are currently spread throughout several agencies, departments, and boards-into a new organizational structure designed to be more cost-effective and consumer-friendly.

Senator Olson says constituents have told her they are forced to get multiple permits from multiple agencies with overlapping jurisdictions, and are finding it difficult to know which agency or department they should turn to with questions or requests.