Proposed Updates
Minnesota law requires the DNR to maintain a list of species that are at risk of disappearing from the state. Listed species are placed into one of three categories: endangered, threatened and special concern. The list is based on scientific field studies, such as those conducted by the Minnesota Biological Survey.
Minnesota’s List of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species was first established in 1984, and was last updated in 1996. In 2007, DNR distributed a preliminary draft of proposed revisions to the list. Based on comments it received, the agency made further revisions and now is moving forward with a formal rulemaking process to officially update the current list.
Additional information, including the current list, and links to Minnesota's Endangered Species Statute and associated Rules, are available on the DNR's endangered, threatened, and special concern species webpage.
Rulemaking documents
The Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR) is an official document submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings. It contains an overview, all proposed changes, and supporting evidence for the proposed changes.
Summary »
Full Document » (PDF, 2 MB, 337 pages)
Notice of Hearing and Proposed Rule
As part of the rulemaking process, five public hearings will be conducted to discuss the Proposed Rule before an administrative law judge from the state Office of Administrative Hearings. At these hearings, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the DNR’s proposed changes to the List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species.
Hearings were held on the following dates:
- January 29, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in Rochester
- January 30, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in New Ulm
- February 5, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in Bemidji
- February 6, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in Duluth
- February 7, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in Plymouth
Read entire Notice of Hearing for more details »
Please note that you do not have to attend a hearing to submit comments on the Proposed Amendments to the List. NOTE: At the request of the DNR, the Administrative Law Judge has extended the public comment period by 20 days. The deadline for submitting comments is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2013.
Click here to go to the OAH webpage for information on the hearings and submitted comments »
Contact info
If you have any questions about this activity, or prefer to receive a printed copy of these materials, please contact:
Rich Baker
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Ecological and Water Resources
500 Lafayette Rd, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025
phone: 651-259-5073
fax: 651-296-1811
email: richard.baker@state.mn.us