Special legislative session possible to address walleye crisis

Gov. Mark Dayton indicated Tuesday there’s a strong possibility he will call a special legislative session next month to help Mille Lacs resorts and other area businesses that could face tough times if the walleye season is cut short, as seems likely.

Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr told the Star Tribune recently that Lake Mille Lacs’ walleye sport-fishing harvest quota likely would be exceeded by the end of July, forcing the agency’s hand. The quota is set as part of a Mille Lacs comanagement agreement with eight Chippewa bands.

Dayton spokesman Linden Zakula released a statement saying the governor had spoken to both House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, and that they were receptive to the idea of a special session to pass a relief package in the event the season has to be canceled.

http://www.startribune.com/special-legislative-session-possible-to-address-walleye-crisis/319098601/