R.D. Offutt's pines-to-potatoes plan is scaled back in compromise with Minnesota DNR

In a deal designed to protect sensitive groundwater and pine forests in central Minnesota, a large regional potato grower has agreed to scale back an ambitious expansion plan in exchange for state regulators dropping their demand for a broad environmental review.

The voluntary reduction by North Dakota-based R.D. Offutt Co. will take place while the company partners with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to study related groundwater usage and deforestation in the Pineland Sands area, located in Becker, Cass, Hubbard and Wadena counties.

http://www.startribune.com/r-d-offutt-s-pines-to-potatoes-plan-is-scaled-back-in-compromise-with-minnesota-dnr/326532821/