Minneapolis light-rail foes worry about Minnesota state bee

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The group managing construction of a $2 billion light-rail project between Minneapolis and southwestern suburbs is receiving stinging criticism about the well-being of Minnesota’s newly anointed state bee.

The rusty patched bumblebee nests, feeds and winters along part of the transit line’s proposed route between downtown Minneapolis and Eden Prairie. The Star Tribune reports that opponents of the largest public works project in state history are worried that the bee’s habitat is being destroyed.

Two Democrats, Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Frank Hornstein, have asked the Metropolitan Council to “”immediately halt plans to destroy trees and other habitat” in the area.

Metropolitan Council Chairwoman Nora Slawik says the group is taking great care to protect the environment.

Gov. Tim Walz made the state bee designation official last month when he signed state budget bills.