HF 4835

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/26/2022 09:51am

A bill for an act
relating to water; appropriating money for water supply planning.

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

Section 1. new text begin NORTH AND EAST METRO WATER SUPPLY PLANNING;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $2,250,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to provide financial assistance to the cities of Stillwater,
Mahtomedi, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Lino Lakes, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Vadnais Heights, and
White Bear Lake and the town of White Bear to evaluate and prepare contingency plans
for converting water supplies from groundwater sources to total or partial supplies from
surface water sources and to prepare a final report with the contingency plans and any
recommendations. Each contingency plan must include a schedule for funding the design,
construction, and conversion to surface water supplies. Contingency plans must include
sufficient detail regarding preliminary design considerations, including supply source,
treatment, distribution, operation, and financing, to inform the commissioner and legislature
of the options to be considered. The commissioner must compile a final report to the
legislature with the contingency plans and any recommendations in consultation and
coordination with 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 Groundwater Management Area. By December
31, 2024, the commissioner must submit the 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 finance and policy. This is a onetime appropriation
and is available until June 30, 2024.
new text end

new text begin (b) $500,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of natural resources to provide financial assistance to the cities of Stillwater, Mahtomedi,
Hugo, Lake Elmo, Lino Lakes, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Vadnais Heights, and White Bear
Lake and the town of White Bear to develop plans to phase down per capita residential
water use to 75 gallons per day and total per capita water use to 90 gallons per day and to
develop irrigation plans that include an irrigation ban if the water level of White Bear Lake
falls below 923.5 feet and continues until the lake has reached an elevation of 924 feet. This
is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2024.
new text end