as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/13/2015 01:37pm
A bill for an act
relating to waters; appropriating money for water supply sustainability study.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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$1,500,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for a study to evaluate long-term water supply
sustainability in the North and East Metro, identify options to address any challenges
identified to the North and East Metro's long-term water supply sustainability, and assess
the feasibility of those options. The study must consider available information concerning
interactions between the region's surface water and groundwater systems, including White
Bear Lake. The commissioner must conduct this study in consultation and coordination
with affected communities, the Metropolitan Council, St. Paul Regional Water Services,
industrial water permit holders, and other entities with a demonstrated interest in the
water supply challenges facing the North and East Metro. Options to be evaluated must
include Alternative 1B and Alternative 2B from the Metropolitan Council's report entitled
Feasibility Assessment of Approaches to Water Sustainability in the Northeast Metro-Final
Report, prepared in accordance with Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 9. The
commissioner must complete a report summarizing study findings regarding long-term
water supply sustainability challenges in the North and East Metro and the feasibility of
various options for addressing those challenges. The commissioner's report must include
sufficient detail regarding preliminary design considerations, including supply source,
treatment, distribution, operation, and financing, to inform legislative consideration of
possible detailed design and construction authorization for the options evaluated. The
report must be provided no later than December 31, 2016, to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions
with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance and policy and the
clean water fund. No detailed design may be undertaken by the commissioner without
legislative approval. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.
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