 you may soon need a permit to bust out your lawnmower in Minnesota. Some state leaders want to start enforcing a law that has not been enforced for decades. A few dozen came out to voice their concerns this week at a public listening session in Crookston. Some so passionate they drove a couple of hours. It boils down to a 1980s law requiring a permit to mow and haul along state highways. They're only issued in August. The permits have never been highly enforced. MnDOT sent out letters earlier this month saying they would stop issuing the permits at the request of the legislature so the issue could be studied further. Supporters of the permits say they are necessary to protect wildlife and banks set up to prevent snowdrifts. Opponents say they need to be able to mow the right of way whenever they want to keep their land looking beautiful and for safety. Sometimes the grass gets too high. Here's some of what the people had to say at the public hearing. Million dollar homes right adjacent to the highways and they're not supposed to be able to mow their ditches in front of their place. It's way out of reason here. The laws that have been on the books really haven't been working and they've been basically being ignored in many cases in this part of the state. I know a few people that have actual permits to mow their ditches you know for whatever reason. MnDOT is accepting comments until the end of November. Another meeting on the proposed change will take place on November 20th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Baxter MnDOT facility. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.