HF 1002

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/09/2011 10:14am

A bill for an act
relating to environment; preempting rules in establishing sulfates water quality
standard in Class 4A waters; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin SULFATES WATER QUALITY STANDARD; CLASS 4A WATERS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 7050.0224, subpart 2, the water quality
standard for sulfates in Class 4A waters is 50 milligrams per liter (mg/L), applicable to
water used for production of wild rice during periods when the rice may be susceptible
to damage by high sulfate levels.
new text end

new text begin (b) Within 30 days of the effective date of this act, the commissioner of the Pollution
Control Agency must create an advisory group to provide input to the commissioner on
a protocol for scientific research to assess the impacts of sulfates and other substances
on the growth of wild rice, review research results, and provide other advice on the
development of future rule amendments to protect wild rice. The group must include the
commissioners of natural resources and the Pollution Control Agency, or their designees,
and representatives of tribal governments, municipal wastewater treatment facilities,
the mining industry, industrial dischargers, the University of Minnesota, and wild rice
research experts.
new text end

new text begin (c) By December 15, 2011, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency
must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and
natural resources policy on the progress of the advisory group under paragraph (b). By
December 15, 2012, the commissioner must recommend to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy a sulfates water quality
standard for Class 4A waters that is supported by current science and the work of the
advisory group under paragraph (b). The standard under paragraph (a) remains in effect
until the legislature enacts a new statutory standard.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2012 to the commissioner
of the Pollution Control Agency for purposes of section 1.
new text end