A Mississippi River’s Perspective of Minnesota’s Coal Tar Ban

from the Minnesota Master Naturalist

MINNESOTA COAL TAR SEALANT PHASE-OUT LEGISLATION PASSES

In a major victory for water quality and public health, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill phasing out the use of coal tar sealants in Minnesota. Effective January 1st 2014, the sale and application of coal tar sealants for asphalt-paved surfaces will be unlawful. This is a big win for FMR (Friends of the Mississippi River) and the Mississippi River. This issue was recently highlighted in the State of the River Report, and was one of FMR’s priority policy recommendations to the State Legislature in our Mississippi River Policy Guide.