HF 2909

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/15/2023 09:09am

A bill for an act
relating to environment; requiring development of adaptive phosphorus management
feasibility assessment for Red River of the North; requiring report; appropriating
money.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; RED RIVER OF THE NORTH; ADAPTIVE
PHOSPHORUS MANAGEMENT FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation; assessment contents. new text end

new text begin $250,000 in fiscal year 2024 is
appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for a grant to
the Red River Basin Commission to facilitate development of a feasibility assessment of
adaptive phosphorus management for the Red River of the North. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026. The commission may contract with
outside experts or academic institutions in developing the assessment. The assessment:
new text end

new text begin (1) must address applicable water-quality targets for phosphorous loading;
new text end

new text begin (2) must include an allocation of phosphorus between point and nonpoint sources;
new text end

new text begin (3) must identify cost-effective nutrient reduction implementation strategies; and
new text end

new text begin (4) may include other state water-quality goals and objectives.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Advisory group. new text end

new text begin In developing the assessment, the Red River Basin Commission
must use available data and analysis to the extent feasible and incorporate input from an
advisory group that includes representatives of agriculture, soil and water conservation
districts, watershed districts, municipalities, and other Minnesota organizations represented
on the board of directors of the Red River Basin Commission. The Red River Basin
Commission may also work with representatives from relevant organizations from North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin By June 30, 2026, the Red River Basin Commission must submit
the final assessment to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over agriculture and environment policy and finance.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; RED RIVER BASIN COMMISSION; ANNUAL
FUNDING.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation; assessment contents. new text end

new text begin $150,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$150,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Water
and Soil Resources for a grant to the Red River Basin Commission to facilitate ongoing
transboundary efforts to address challenges related to the Red River. This base appropriation
must be used by the commission to coordinate the work supported by related contributions
from the other states, provincial governments, and local governments within the Red River
of the North basin.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Work plan. new text end

new text begin The Red River Basin Commission must submit an annual work
plan to the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
new text end