2008-01-24_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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~~~Iks' ,I '~~~~. ~:'J~c ~~ ~ ~~~ t ~~~' 0t. ~~ ~I~ e ~~c,~:c. B ~' ~ ~ ~ ~ P i 9 ~ ~uy c~, -.x.03 '..:.._,T.,..,-.PRE Decenzher 2007 ~r \ ~ ~~ ene Merriam has been named president and Joan Nephew has been named executive director of the Freshwater Society. Both bring a deep commitment to and strong record of conserving Minnesota's natural resources. Gene's appreciation and interest in the environment was instilled at an early age. He was raised in Crystal, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis, then abundant with wetlands, woods, and farms. Hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors were-and continue to be-his favorite pastimes. After high school graduation, Gene became a U.S. Marine. After his military service, he returned to Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in Business Administration. Gene entered the business world as a CPA. New Leadership continued on page 3 WATER USE AND WATER QUALITY CONCERNS ~~ lternative energy, renewable energy sources, wind energy, biofuels, ~~~,etc. -all are part of our vigorous search for alternatives to foreign oil and fossil fuels. However, as one problem is addressed, other issues arise, including potential problems with our water resources. Biofuels appear to be one alternative fuel answer to rising oil and gasoline prices and national security concerns related to dependency on foreign oil supplies, as well as to serious environmental concerns about the impacts from fossil fuel use. In the farm belt of the Midwest, corn- based ethanol was an early and seemingly ideal solution. For over ten years, Minnesota has required ethanol-blended gasoline. And, with the challenge from the White House to produce 35 billion gallons of ethanol annually by 2017 (4.5 billion gallons were produced in 2007), and the federal subsidy of $.51 per gallon for producers, ethanol production has seen a meteoric rise. Minnesota currently has 16 operational ethanol plants, with five under construction and 12 more in the proposal or planning stage. We were charged up and feeling patriotic about our ability to begin independence from foreign oil empires, but as we've learned with other innovative ideas, unintentional consequences can sometimes result. The same American ingenuity in finding alternative fuels will now be necessary to overcome related problems affecting our water resources. In the Shadow of Ethanol continued on page 8 ~~~~ f From the Desk of Todd R. Bolin ...2 Food, Fresh Water, and Faust .... , 4 Dick Gray's Passwords , , ........ 6 Founders Honored ..............10 Membership Form ............. 11 Freshwater Message ........,.. 12 Gene Merriam Joan Nephew