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HF 3951

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/02/2020 01:46pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Bill Text Versions

Engrossments
Introduction Posted on 03/02/2020

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; facilitating use of artificial aquifer recharge where
appropriate; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section
103A.204.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 103A.204, is amended to read:


103A.204 GROUNDWATER POLICY.

(a) The responsibility for the protection of groundwater in Minnesota is vested in a
multiagency approach to management. The following is a list of agencies and the groundwater
protection areas for which the agencies are primarily responsible; the list is not intended to
restrict the areas of responsibility to only those specified:

(1) Environmental Quality Board: coordination of state groundwater protection programs;

(2) Pollution Control Agency: water quality monitoring and reporting and the
development of best management practices and regulatory mechanisms for protection of
groundwater from nonagricultural chemical contaminants;

(3) Department of Agriculture: sustainable agriculture, integrated pest management,
water quality monitoring, and the development of best management practices and regulatory
mechanisms for protection of groundwater from agricultural chemical contaminants;

(4) Board of Water and Soil Resources: reporting on groundwater education and outreach
with local government officials, local water planning and management, and local cost share
programs;

(5) Department of Natural Resources: water quantity monitoring and regulation,
sensitivity mapping, and development of a plan for the use of integrated pest management
and sustainable agriculture on state-owned lands; and

(6) Department of Health: regulation of wells and borings, and the development of health
risk limits under section 103H.201.

(b) The Environmental Quality Board shall prepare a report on policy issues related to
its responsibilities listed in paragraph (a), and include these reports with the assessments in
section 103A.43 and the deleted text begin "deleted text end Minnesota Water Plandeleted text begin "deleted text end in section 103B.151.

new text begin (c) Where groundwater levels are depleted and not naturally recovering with sufficient
speed, it is the policy of the state that artificial recharge options be considered and
implemented where feasible and appropriate.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REPORT ON ARTIFICIAL AQUIFER RECHARGE.
new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2021, the Environmental Quality Board, in cooperation with the agencies
listed in Minnesota Statutes, section 103A.204, paragraph (a), must submit a report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees
and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy on the
feasibility of using artificial aquifer recharge to replenish groundwater levels in aquifers
where water levels are insufficient. The report must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) an explanation of the various techniques available for artificial aquifer recharge;
new text end

new text begin (2) a summary of the strengths, weaknesses, and costs of each of the recharge methods
identified;
new text end

new text begin (3) an overview of which aquifers in the state might be candidates for artificial recharge;
new text end

new text begin (4) an explanation of the potential environmental effects of artificial recharge; and
new text end

new text begin (5) identification of any statutory, regulatory, or policy changes needed to facilitate and
implement the policy in Minnesota Statutes, section 103A.204.
new text end