HF 935

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/04/2015 01:40pm

A bill for an act
relating to water; establishing a nitrate reduction program; appropriating money;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103B.

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

Section 1.

[103B.103] NITRATE REDUCTION PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Program established.

The Board of Water and Soil Resources, in
consultation with the University of Minnesota, shall establish a watershed management
program to reduce nitrates. The program shall:

(1) build local watershed management capacity by developing leadership among
landowners and others in watersheds impaired by nitrates;

(2) strengthen partnerships among technical providers, educators, and landowners
through working groups led by local citizens at the watershed level;

(3) build local capacity to assess water quality, establish watershed goals, target and
implement practices to address nitrates, and measure the impacts; and

(4) provide incentive payments to assist with and encourage the implementation of
water quality best management practices.

Subd. 2.

Coordinator.

The board shall assign a coordinator to each watershed
containing waters impaired by nitrates. The coordinator shall support interested parties as
they organize, assess water quality issues in the watershed, establish goals, implement
best management practices, and measure results. The board shall ensure that the process
is open and public.

Subd. 3.

Goals.

The board shall establish guidance to be used by watersheds in
establishing three-year goals and methods for evaluating progress in meeting the goals.

Subd. 4.

Incentive payments.

The board shall develop incentive payment rates
for various practices that reduce nitrates and award incentive grants to participating
individuals and entities with available funds.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2016 is appropriated from the ..... fund to the Board of Water and
Soil Resources to establish the voluntary watershed management program and provide
incentive payments under section 1.