Surveys conducted in Minnesota in 1969 and 1970 to obtain public opinion regarding environmental issues are discussed. Several generalizations are made about the state of public opinion about the environmental issue, as follows: (1) The environmental issue has reached public prominence through a sequence from professional and interest-group concern through independent publication and attention in government to mass media coverage and public concern; (2) Public opinion about environmental issues in Minnesota today can generally be described as one of confident concern. There is widespread confidence in the belief that technology itself holds the answers; (3) Opinions regarding environment appear to be rather fixed, at least in communities where specific measures are under debate; (4) On three major environmental issues of 1970--mining in the BWCA, the steel plant, and taconite--opinions on pollution control measures vary sharply according to whether the measure has direct consequences for the community involved; (5) Being more informed about environmental issues does not necessarily mean that a person will be more favorable toward controls; and (6) Environment has the potential for intense conflict within and between communities. Five tables and one figure illustrate survey results. (DB)