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March 2002

State Roundups
Minnesota

More logging set for state forests

Northeastern state forests will likely see more pine trees and fewer aspen—and an increase in logging on state lands—under a long-range plan proposed by the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The DNR wants to replace older aspen and birch with conifers, like spruce and red and white pines; root out new aspen growth; and increase logging on state lands around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness by about 9 percent, that is, from 81,000 to 88,000 cords annually over the next seven years.

DNR officials say the changes will eventually restore a balance to forest growth, offer trees of higher value to sawmills and provide habitat for some bird and wildlife species that depend on conifers. There are some dissenters to the plan, however. Some grouse and deer hunters are angry because those animals favor young aspen; the timber industry isn't keen on logging too many old trees; and environmental groups say increased logging is unacceptable.

One-third of workers in low-wage jobs

Nearly one-third of Minnesota workers are employed in jobs that pay less than $10 per hour, according to a report by the state Department of Economic Security.

In 2000, 30.7 percent, or 832,00 workers, earned less than $10 per hour; that number is down from 1998, the beginning of the report period, when 34.1 percent were considered low-wage workers. A large number of those workers were in retail jobs, which make up 19 percent of Minnesota jobs but account for 38 percent, or 313,000, of all low-wage positions.

Another one-third earned more than $20 per hour. The study indicated that wages increase sooner for full-time workers who stay at the same job than for those who move around within the workforce.

Minnesota is one of only three states to measure the number of hours worked each month by an employee, making it impossible to compare with national averages.

—Kathy Cobb