In addition to the federal Endangered Species Act, Minnesota has a state law protecting endangered and threatened species. The Minnesota Endangered Species Statute and associated rules are implemented by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). It is a separate program from the federal Endangered Species Act and has its own listings of endangered species, threatened species, and species of special concern.
Minnesota's Endangered Species Statute prohibits the killing, harming, importation, transportation, or sale of any portion of a species listed by the state as being endangered or threatened.
Exemptions to this state statute are given to plants listed by the state as being endangered or threatened located on or adjacent to certain agricultural lands or in ditches and roadways. Also exempt from the rule are plants listed by the state as being endangered or threatened that are harmed unknowingly or by accident. These state exemptions apply only to plants; no exemptions are provided for animals listed by the state as being endangered or threatened. These state exemptions also do not apply to plants listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Federal laws still apply.
Pesticide applicators can best follow the Minnesota Endangered Species Statue and associated rules by applying pesticides in a manner that will not place listed species at risk. More information on Minnesota’s endangered species, threatened species, and species of special concern can be obtained from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or by calling 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Collie Graddick, Pesticide Management Unit
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Endangered Species Protection Program
Office of Pesticides Programs
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Twin Cities Ecological Services Field Office
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program
Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), 625 Robert Street N, St. Paul, MN 55155-2538, firstname.lastname@example.org