Question 4:

The Governor of Minnesota will be asked to come up with solutions to a variety of issues that culminate in the tension between the need to protect the environment, and the need to sustain economic development. Solutions to conflicts that have arisen through issues such as the BWCA, timber resources, agriculture, including feedlots, and others will require making difficult choices and creating consensus. What are some of the tradeoffs you see in these rural and urban issues? In your rebuttal please respond to these two questions. Can you create consensus between these divergent Minnesota interests to work out some of these problems. If so, how would you create that consensus?

FREEMAN Response to Question 4

Minnesota is defined by its natural resources and the environment. It is incumbent upon the next Governor to reflect upon the state of the environment and take an inventory of our resources. If we expect our natural resources to be intact in the 22^nd Century, we must show leadership by bringing the concerned parties to the table and finding a solution that maintains sustainable development while ensuring the sanctity of our environment.

Brownfields have plagued our environment. As Hennepin County Attorney, I created a Tax-Forfeit Contaminated Lands task force to hold owners accountable. Instead of developing new land it is crucial that we clean up these waste lands and revitalize them to maintain a secure tax base.

Animal feedlots are becoming environmentally volatile. A state-wide inventory must be conducted. Regulation must be at a level which takes both local and state interests in environmental quality into consideration. It’s necessary to perform a complete study by collecting all of the facts as opposed to jumping to hasty conclusions.

One issue that compromises both urban and rural issues is sprawl. Sprawl requires an incredible amount of money. It has dire a impact upon our environment, especially fragile wetlands and animal life. We must have the leadership to develop sensible transit plans and establish urban growth boundaries.