HF 2528

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/20/2014 03:35pm

A bill for an act
relating to water; requiring groundwater management area advisory teams and
approval of groundwater management area plans; amending Minnesota Statutes
2013 Supplement, section 103G.287, subdivision 4.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 103G.287, subdivision 4,
is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Groundwater management areas.

(a) The commissioner may designate
groundwater management areas and limit total annual water appropriations and uses within
a designated area to ensure sustainable use of groundwater that protects ecosystems, water
quality, and the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Water appropriations
and uses within a designated management area must be consistent with a new text begin groundwater
management area new text end plan approved by the commissioner that addresses water conservation
requirements and water allocation priorities established in section 103G.261. new text begin Before
implementing a groundwater management area plan developed under this subdivision, the
commissioner must receive approval of the plan from the advisory team established in
paragraph (c).
new text end

(b) Notwithstanding section 103G.271, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and Minnesota
Rules, within designated groundwater management areas, the commissioner may require
general permits as specified in section 103G.271, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), for water
users using less than 10,000 gallons per day or 1,000,000 gallons per year and water
suppliers serving less than 25 persons for domestic purposes. The commissioner may
waive the requirements under section 103G.281 for general permits issued under this
paragraph, and the fee specified in section 103G.301, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), does
not apply to general permits issued under this paragraph. new text begin The commissioner shall not
implement permit requirements under this paragraph unless the requirements have been
included in a groundwater management area plan that has been approved as required
under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (c) When designating a groundwater management area, the commissioner shall
assemble an advisory team to assist in developing the boundaries and a groundwater
management area plan for the area. Local units of government shall comprise half of the
members, with preference given to members representing local units of government that
hold one or more state water appropriation permits. These members shall be selected
by the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties, and the
Minnesota Association of Townships. The other half of the advisory team members shall
include members representing other water appropriation permit holders, the Department
of Natural Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the
Department of Health, and the Metropolitan Council if the groundwater management area
includes land located in the seven-county metropolitan area. The advisory team may
also include nonvoting members from the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities, and federal agencies.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from January 1, 2013,
and applies to all groundwater management areas designated or to be designated in the state.
new text end