SF 971

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 08/27/2015 03:28pm

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.

new text begin [103B.103] NITRATE REDUCTION PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Program established. new text end

new text begin 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:
new text end

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

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

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

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

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Coordinator. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Goals. new text end

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

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Incentive payments. new text end

new text begin 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.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... 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.
new text end