SF 3572

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/17/2016 09:13am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying prior clean water fund appropriations;
appropriating money; amending Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6,
article 2, sections 3; 5; 7, as amended; Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, sections
3; 5; 6, as amended; 7; 8; Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2,
sections 3; 5; 7.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 3, is amended
to read:

Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

$

7,700,000

$

deleted text begin 7,700,000 deleted text end new text begin 7,360,000 new text end

(a) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are to increase monitoring for
pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface
water and groundwater and to use data
collected to assess pesticide use practices.

(b) $850,000 the first year and $850,000
the second year are to increase monitoring
and evaluate trends in the concentration of
nitrates in groundwater in high-risk areas
and regionally and to promote and evaluate
regional and crop-specific nutrient best
management practices. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2016.

(c) $4,500,000 the first year and $4,500,000
the second year are for the agriculture best
management practices loan program. At
least $3,500,000 the first year and at least
$3,900,000 the second year are for transfer to
the clean water agricultural best management
practices loan account and are available
for pass-through to local governments
and lenders for low-interest loans under
Minnesota Statutes, section 17.117. Any
unencumbered balance that is not used for
pass-through to local governments does not
cancel at the end of the first year and is
available for the second year.

(d) $775,000 the first year and $775,000
the second year are for research, pilot
projects, and technical assistance on
proper implementation of best management
practices and more precise information on
nonpoint contributions to impaired waters.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2016.

(e) $1,050,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,050,000 deleted text end
new text begin $710,000 new text end the second year are for research
to quantify agricultural contributions to
impaired waters and for development and
evaluation of best management practices to
protect and restore water resources while
maintaining productivity. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2016.

(f) $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the
second year are for a research inventory
database containing water-related research
activities. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2016.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 5, is amended to
read:

Sec. 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

$

24,212,000

$

deleted text begin 23,558,000 deleted text end new text begin 23,400,000 new text end

(a) $7,500,000 the first year and deleted text begin $7,500,000 deleted text end
new text begin $7,485,000 new text end the second year are for
completion of 20 percent of the needed
statewide assessments of surface water
quality and trends. Of this amount, $100,000
the first year and $100,000 the second year
are for grants to the Red River Watershed
Management Board to enhance and expand
the existing water quality and watershed
monitoring river watch activities in the
schools in the Red River of the North. The
Red River Watershed Management Board
shall provide a report to the commissioner
of the Pollution Control Agency and the
legislative committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over environment and natural
resources finance and policy and the clean
water fund by February 15, 2013, on the
expenditure of these funds.

(b) $9,400,000 the first year and deleted text begin $9,400,000 deleted text end
new text begin $9,261,000 new text end the second year are to develop
total maximum daily load (TMDL) studies
and TMDL implementation plans for waters
listed on the United States Environmental
Protection Agency approved impaired waters
list in accordance with Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 114D. The agency shall complete an
average of ten percent of the TMDL's each
year over the biennium.

(c) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000
the second year are for groundwater
assessment, including enhancing the
ambient monitoring network, modeling,
and continuing to monitor for and assess
contaminants of emerging concern.

(d) $750,000 the first year and $750,000
the second year are for water quality
improvements in the lower St. Louis River
and Duluth harbor. This appropriation must
be matched at a rate of 65 percent nonstate
money to 35 percent state money.

(e) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for the clean water
partnership program to provide grants
to protect and improve the basins and
watersheds of the state and provide financial
and technical assistance to study waters
with nonpoint source pollution problems.
Priority shall be given to projects preventing
impairments and degradation of lakes, rivers,
streams, and groundwater in accordance
with Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.20,
subdivision 2, clause (4). Any balance
remaining in the first year does not cancel
and is available for the second year.

(f) $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the
second year are for storm water research and
guidance.

(g) $1,150,000 the first year and $1,150,000
the second year are for TMDL research and
database development.

(h) $800,000 the first year and $800,000
the second year are for national pollutant
discharge elimination system wastewater and
storm water TMDL implementation efforts.

(i) $225,000 the first year and $225,000
the second year are transferred to the
commissioner of administration for the
Environmental Quality Board in cooperation
with the United States Geological Survey to
characterize groundwater flow and aquifer
properties in the I-94 corridor in cooperation
with local units of government. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.

(j) $1,000,000 the first year and $500,000
the second year are for a wild rice standards
study.

(k) $862,000 the first year and deleted text begin $708,000 deleted text end
new text begin $704,000 new text end the second year are for groundwater
protection or prevention of groundwater
degradation activities through enhancing the
county-level delivery system for subsurface
sewage treatment systems (SSTS). The
commissioner shall consult with the SSTS
Compliance Task Force in developing a
distribution allocation for the county base
grants.

(l) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.28, the appropriations
encumbered on or before June 30, 2013,
as grants or contracts in this section are
available until June 30, 2016.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 7, as amended by
Laws 2012, chapter 264, article 2, section 3, is amended to read:

Sec. 7. BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$

27,534,000

$

deleted text begin 31,734,000 deleted text end new text begin 31,010,000 new text end

(a) $13,750,000 the first year and
deleted text begin $15,350,000 deleted text end new text begin $15,099,000 new text end the second year are
for pollution reduction and restoration grants
to local government units and joint powers
organizations of local government units to
protect surface water and drinking water; to
keep water on the land; to protect, enhance,
and restore water quality in lakes, rivers,
and streams; and to protect groundwater
and drinking water, including feedlot water
quality and subsurface sewage treatment
system (SSTS) projects and stream bank,
stream channel, and shoreline restoration
projects. The projects must be of long-lasting
public benefit, include a match, and be
consistent with TMDL implementation plans
or local water management plans.

(b) $3,000,000 the first year and deleted text begin $3,600,000 deleted text end
new text begin $3,475,000 new text end the second year are for targeted
local resource protection and enhancement
grants. The board shall give priority
consideration to projects and practices
that complement, supplement, or exceed
current state standards for protection,
enhancement, and restoration of water
quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that
protect groundwater from degradation. Of
this amount, at least $1,500,000 each year is
for county SSTS implementation.

(c) $900,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,200,000 deleted text end
new text begin $897,000 new text end the second year are to provide state
oversight and accountability, evaluate results,
and develop an electronic system to measure
and track the value of conservation program
implementation by local governments,
including submission to the legislature
by March 1 each year an annual report
prepared by the board, in consultation with
the commissioners of natural resources,
health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control
Agency, detailing the recipients and projects
funded under this section. The board shall
require grantees to specify the outcomes that
will be achieved by the grants prior to any
grant awards.

(d) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,700,000
the second year are for technical assistance
and grants for the conservation drainage
program in consultation with the Drainage
Work Group, created under Minnesota
Statutes, section 103B.101, subdivision 13,
to facilitate the installation of conservation
practices on drainage systems that will result
in water quality improvements and evaluate
the outcomes of these installations. The
board shall coordinate practice standards
with the Natural Resources Conservation
Service of the United States Department
of Agriculture and seek to leverage federal
funds as part of conservation drainage
program implementation.

(e) $6,000,000 the first year and $6,000,000
the second year are to purchase and restore
permanent conservation easements on
riparian buffers adjacent to public waters,
excluding wetlands, to keep water on the
land in order to decrease sediment, pollutant,
and nutrient transport; reduce hydrologic
impacts to surface waters; and increase
infiltration for groundwater recharge. The
riparian buffers must be at least 50 feet unless
there is a natural impediment, a road, or
other impediment beyond the control of the
landowner. This appropriation may be used
for restoration of riparian buffers protected by
easements purchased with this appropriation
and for stream bank restorations when the
riparian buffers have been restored.

(f) $1,300,000 the first year and $2,300,000
the second year are for permanent
conservation easements on wellhead
protection areas under Minnesota Statutes,
section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph
(d). Priority must be placed on land that
is located where the vulnerability of the
drinking water supply is designated as high
or very high by the commissioner of health.
The board shall coordinate with the United
States Geological Survey, the commissioners
of health and natural resources, and local
communities contained in the Decorah
and St. Lawrence Edge areas of Winona,
Goodhue, Olmsted, and Wabasha Counties
to obtain easements in identified areas as
having the most vulnerability to groundwater
contamination.

(g) $1,500,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,500,000 deleted text end
new text begin $1,455,000 new text end the second year are for
community partners grants to local units of
government for: (1) structural or vegetative
management practices that reduce storm
water runoff from developed or disturbed
lands to reduce the movement of sediment,
nutrients, and pollutants for restoration,
protection, or enhancement of water quality
in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect
groundwater and drinking water; and (2)
installation of proven and effective water
retention practices including, but not
limited to, rain gardens and other vegetated
infiltration basins and sediment control
basins in order to keep water on the land.
The projects must be of long-lasting public
benefit, include a local match, and be
consistent with TMDL implementation plans
or local water management plans. Local
government unit staff and administration
costs may be used as a match.

(h) $84,000 the first year and $84,000 the
second year are for a technical evaluation
panel to conduct up to ten restoration
evaluations under Minnesota Statutes,
section 114D.50, subdivision 6.

(i) The board shall contract for services
with Conservation Corps Minnesota for
restoration, maintenance, and other activities
under this section for $500,000 the first year
and $500,000 the second year.

(j) The board may shift grant or cost-share
funds in this section and may adjust the
technical and administrative assistance
portion of the funds to leverage federal or
other nonstate funds or to address oversight
responsibilities or high-priority needs
identified in local water management plans.

(k) The appropriations in this section are
available until June 30, 2016.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 3, is amended to read:

Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

$

7,310,000

$

deleted text begin 7,460,000 deleted text end new text begin 7,399,000 new text end

(a) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are to increase monitoring for
pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface
water and groundwater and to use data
collected to assess pesticide use practices.

(b) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000
the second year are to increase monitoring
and evaluate trends in the concentration of
nitrates in groundwater in areas vulnerable
to groundwater degradation, including a
substantial increase of monitoring of private
wells in cooperation with the commissioner
of health, monitoring for pesticides when
nitrates are detected, and promoting and
evaluating regional and crop-specific
nutrient best management practices to
protect groundwater from degradation.
Of this amount, $75,000 may be used for
accelerating the update for the commercial
manure applicator manual. This amount
is to be matched with general funds. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2016,
when the commissioner shall submit a report
to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over agriculture and environment and
natural resources policy and finance on
the expenditure of these funds, including
the progress in preventing groundwater
degradation and recommendations. By
October 15, 2014, the commissioner shall
submit an interim report to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the senate and
house of representatives committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
and environment and natural resources policy
and finance on the expenditure of these
funds, including recommendations.

(c) $200,000 the first year and $200,000
the second year are for the agriculture best
management practices loan program. At
least $170,000 each year is for transfer
to an agricultural and environmental
revolving account created under Minnesota
Statutes, section 17.117, subdivision 5a,
and is available for pass-through to local
government and lenders for low-interest
loans under Minnesota Statutes, section
17.117. Any unencumbered balance
that is not used for pass-through to local
governments does not cancel at the end of the
first year and is available for the second year.

(d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000
the second year are for research, pilot
projects, and technical assistance on
proper implementation of best management
practices and more precise information on
nonpoint contributions to impaired waters.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2018.

(e) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,100,000
the second year are for research to quantify
agricultural contributions to impaired waters
and for development and evaluation of
best management practices to protect and
restore water resources while maintaining
productivity. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018.

(f) $100,000 the first year and deleted text begin $150,000 deleted text end
new text begin $90,000 new text end the second year are for a research
inventory database containing water-related
research activities. Any information
technology development or support or costs
necessary for this research inventory database
will be incorporated into the agency's service
level agreement with and paid to the Office
of Enterprise Technology. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2018.

(g) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000
the second year are to implement a Minnesota
agricultural water quality certification
program. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018.

(h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the
second year are to provide funding for a
regional irrigation water quality specialist
through University of Minnesota Extension.

(i) $50,000 the first year and deleted text begin $50,000 deleted text end new text begin $49,000
new text end the second year are to develop and implement
a comprehensive, up-to-date instruction
system for animal waste technicians who
apply manure to the ground for hire.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 5, is amended to read:

Sec. 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

$

28,365,000

$

deleted text begin 28,265,000 deleted text end new text begin 28,010,000 new text end

(a) $7,600,000 the first year and deleted text begin $7,600,000 deleted text end
new text begin $7,522,000 new text end the second year are for
completion of 20 percent of the needed
statewide assessments of surface water
quality and trends. Of this amount,
$500,000 each year is to monitor and
assess contaminants of emerging concern in
groundwater and surface water, and $100,000
each year is for grants to the Red River
Watershed Management Board to enhance
and expand the existing water quality and
watershed monitoring river watch activities
in the schools in the Red River of the North
Watershed. The Red River Watershed
Management Board shall provide a report to
the commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency and the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over environment
and natural resources finance and policy and
the clean water fund by February 15, 2015,
on the expenditure of these funds.

(b) $9,400,000 the first year and deleted text begin $9,400,000 deleted text end
new text begin $9,323,000 new text end the second year are to develop
watershed restoration and protection
strategies (WRAPS), which include total
maximum daily load (TMDL) studies and
TMDL implementation plans for waters
listed on the Unites States Environmental
Protection Agency approved impaired waters
list in accordance with Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 114D. The agency shall complete an
average of ten percent of the TMDL's each
year over the biennium.

(c) $1,125,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,125,000 deleted text end
new text begin $1,108,000 new text end the second year are for
groundwater assessment, including
enhancing the ambient monitoring network,
modeling, and evaluating trends, including
the reassessment of groundwater that was
assessed ten to 15 years ago and found to
be contaminated. By January 15, 2016, the
commissioner shall submit a report with
recommendations for reducing or preventing
groundwater degradation from contaminants
to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over environment and natural resources
policy and finance.

(d) $750,000 the first year and $750,000
the second year are for water quality
improvements in the lower St. Louis River
and Duluth harbor within the St. Louis River
System Area of Concern. This appropriation
must be matched at a rate of 65 percent
nonstate money to 35 percent state money.

(e) $1,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000
the second year are for the clean water
partnership program to provide grants
to protect and improve the basins and
watersheds of the state and provide financial
and technical assistance to study waters
with nonpoint source pollution problems.
Priority shall be given to projects preventing
impairments and degradation of lakes, rivers,
streams, and groundwater in accordance
with Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.20,
subdivision 2, clause (4). Any balance
remaining in the first year does not cancel
and is available for the second year.

(f) $275,000 the first year and $275,000 the
second year are for storm water research and
guidance.

(g) $1,150,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,150,000 deleted text end
new text begin $1,131,000 new text end the second year are for TMDL
research and database development.

(h) $1,000,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,000,000 deleted text end
new text begin $936,000 new text end the second year are to initiate
development of a multiagency watershed
database reporting portal. Any information
technology development or support or costs
necessary for this research inventory database
will be incorporated into the agency's service
level agreement with and paid to the Office
of Enterprise Technology.

(i) $900,000 the first year and $900,000
the second year are for national pollutant
discharge elimination system wastewater and
storm water TMDL implementation efforts.

(j) $3,250,000 the first year and $3,650,000
the second year are for enhancing the
county-level delivery systems for subsurface
sewage treatment systems (SSTS) activities
necessary to implement Minnesota Statutes,
sections 115.55 and 115.56, for protection
of groundwater, including base grants
for all counties with SSTS programs and
competitive grants to counties with specific
plans to significantly reduce water pollution
by reducing the number of systems that
are an imminent threat to public health or
safety or are otherwise failing. Counties that
receive base grants must report the number
of sewage noncompliant properties upgraded
through SSTS replacement, connection to
a centralized sewer system, or other means
including property abandonment or buy-out.
Counties also must report the number of
compliance inspections of existing SSTS's
conducted in areas under county jurisdiction.
These required reports are to be part of
established annual reporting for SSTS
programs. Counties that conduct SSTS
inventories or those with an ordinance in
place that requires an SSTS to be inspected
as a condition of transferring property or as a
condition of obtaining a local permit shall be
given priority for competitive grants under
this paragraph. Of this amount, $750,000
each year is available to counties for grants to
low-income landowners to address systems
that pose an imminent threat to public health
or safety or fail to protect groundwater. A
grant awarded under this paragraph may not
exceed $500,000 for the biennium. A county
receiving a grant under this paragraph must
submit a report to the agency listing the
projects funded, including an account of the
expenditures.

(k) $1,500,000 the first year is for a
competitive grant program for sewer projects
that helps protect or restore the water quality
of waters in any national park located in
the state. Grants may be awarded to local
government units and must be matched with
25 percent non-clean-water-fund dollars.

(l) $375,000 the first year and $375,000 the
second year are for developing wastewater
treatment system designs and practices
and providing technical assistance. Of
this amount, $145,000 each year is for
transfer to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota to provide ongoing
support for design teams with scientific
and technical expertise pertaining to
wastewater management and treatment
that will include representatives from the
University of Minnesota, Pollution Control
Agency, and municipal wastewater utilities
and other wastewater engineering experts.
The design teams shall promote the use of
new technology, designs, and practices to
address existing and emerging wastewater
treatment challenges, including the treatment
of wastewater for reuse and the emergence
of new and other unregulated contaminants.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2016.

(m) $40,000 the first year and $40,000 the
second year are to support activities of the
Clean Water Council according to Minnesota
Statutes, section 114D.30, subdivision 1.

(n) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.28, the appropriations
encumbered on or before June 30, 2015,
as grants or contracts in this section are
available until June 30, 2018.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 6, as amended by Laws 2015, First
Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 17, is amended to read:

Sec. 6. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

$

deleted text begin 12,135,000 deleted text end new text begin 10,943,000 new text end

$

8,950,000

(a) $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000
the second year are for stream flow
monitoring, including the installation of
additional monitoring gauges, and monitoring
necessary to determine the relationship
between stream flow and groundwater.

(b) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000
the second year are for lake Index of
Biological Integrity (IBI) assessments.

(c) $135,000 the first year and $135,000
the second year are for assessing mercury
and other contaminants of fish, including
monitoring to track the status of waters
impaired by mercury and mercury reduction
efforts over time.

(d) $1,850,000 the first year and $1,850,000
the second year are for developing targeted,
science-based watershed restoration and
protection strategies, including regional
technical assistance for TMDL plans and
development of a watershed assessment tool,
in cooperation with the commissioner of the
Pollution Control Agency. By January 15,
2016, the commissioner shall submit a report
to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over environment and natural resources
policy and finance providing the outcomes
to lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater
achieved with this appropriation and
recommendations.

(e) $1,375,000 the first year and $1,375,000
the second year are for water supply planning,
aquifer protection, and monitoring activities.

(f) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for technical assistance
to support local implementation of nonpoint
source restoration and protection activities,
including water quality protection in forested
watersheds.

(g) $675,000 the first year and $675,000
the second year are for applied research
and tools, including watershed hydrologic
modeling; maintaining and updating spatial
data for watershed boundaries, streams, and
water bodies and integrating high-resolution
digital elevation data; assessing effectiveness
of forestry best management practices for
water quality; and developing an ecological
monitoring database.

(h) $615,000 the first year and $615,000
the second year are for developing county
geologic atlases.

(i) $85,000 the first year is to develop design
standards and best management practices
for public water access sites to maintain and
improve water quality by avoiding shoreline
erosion and runoff.

(j) deleted text begin $3,000,000 deleted text end new text begin $1,808,000 new text end the first year
is for beginning to develop and designate
groundwater management areas under
Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.287,
subdivision 4. The commissioner, in
consultation with the commissioners of
the Pollution Control Agency, health,
and agriculture, shall establish a uniform
statewide hydrogeologic mapping system
that will include designated groundwater
management areas. The mapping system
must include wellhead protection areas,
special well construction areas, groundwater
provinces, groundwater recharge areas, and
other designated or geographical areas related
to groundwater. This mapping system shall
be used to implement all groundwater-related
laws and for reporting and evaluations. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.

(k) $100,000 the first year is for the
commissioner of natural resources for
rulemaking under Minnesota Statutes,
section 116G.15, subdivision 7.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2016.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 7, is amended to read:

Sec. 7. BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$

30,689,000

$

deleted text begin 34,740,000 deleted text end new text begin 34,647,000 new text end

(a) $5,000,000 the first year and $7,000,000
the second year are for grants to local
government units organized for the
management of water in a watershed or
subwatershed that have multiyear plans
that will result in a significant reduction in
water pollution in a selected subwatershed.
The grants may be used for the following
purposes: establishment of riparian buffers;
practices to store water for natural treatment
and infiltration, including rain gardens;
capturing storm water for reuse; stream
bank, shoreland, and ravine stabilization;
enforcement activities; and implementation
of best management practices for feedlots
within riparian areas and other practices
demonstrated to be most effective in
protecting, enhancing, and restoring water
quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and
protecting groundwater from degradation.
Grant recipients must identify a nonstate
cash match of at least 25 percent of the
total eligible project costs. Grant recipients
may use other legacy funds to supplement
projects funded under this paragraph. Grants
awarded under this paragraph are available
for four years and priority shall be given
to the three to six best designed plans each
year. By January 15, 2016, the board shall
submit an interim report on the outcomes
achieved with this appropriation, including
recommendations, to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the senate and house
of representatives committees and divisions
with jurisdiction over environment and
natural resources policy and finance. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.

(b) $9,705,000 the first year and deleted text begin $10,756,000 deleted text end
new text begin $10,684,000 new text end the second year are for grants
to protect and restore surface water and
drinking water; to keep water on the land; to
protect, enhance, and restore water quality
in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect
groundwater and drinking water, including
feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage
treatment system (SSTS) projects and stream
bank, stream channel, shoreline restoration,
and ravine stabilization projects. The
projects must use practices demonstrated
to be effective, be of long-lasting public
benefit, include a match, and be consistent
with total maximum daily load (TMDL)
implementation plans or local water
management plans or their equivalents.

(c) $3,500,000 the first year and $4,500,000
the second year are for targeted local
resource protection and enhancement grants
for projects and practices that supplement or
exceed current state standards for protection,
enhancement, and restoration of water
quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or that
protect groundwater from degradation,
including compliance.

(d) $950,000 the first year and $950,000 the
second year are to provide state oversight
and accountability, evaluate results, and
measure the value of conservation program
implementation by local governments,
including submission to the legislature
by March 1 each year an annual report
prepared by the board, in consultation with
the commissioners of natural resources,
health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control
Agency, detailing the recipients, projects
funded under this section, and the amount of
pollution reduced.

(e) $1,700,000 the first year and $1,700,000
the second year are for grants to local units
of government to ensure compliance with
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103E, and
sections 103F.401 to 103F.455, including
enforcement efforts. Of this amount,
$235,000 the first year is to update the
Minnesota Public Drainage Manual and the
Minnesota Public Drainage Law Overview
for Decision Makers and to provide outreach
to users.

(f) $6,500,000 the first year and $6,500,000
the second year are to purchase and restore
permanent conservation easements on
riparian buffers adjacent to lakes, rivers,
streams, and tributaries, to keep water on the
land in order to decrease sediment, pollutant,
and nutrient transport; reduce hydrologic
impacts to surface waters; and increase
infiltration for groundwater recharge. This
appropriation may be used for restoration
of riparian buffers protected by easements
purchased with this appropriation and for
stream bank restorations when the riparian
buffers have been restored.

(g) $1,300,000 the first year and $1,300,000
the second year are for permanent
conservation easements on wellhead
protection areas under Minnesota Statutes,
section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph
(d). Priority must be placed on land that
is located where the vulnerability of the
drinking water supply is designated as high
or very high by the commissioner of health.

(h) $1,500,000 the first year and deleted text begin $1,500,000 deleted text end
new text begin $1,479,000 new text end the second year are for
community partners grants to local units of
government for: (1) structural or vegetative
management practices that reduce storm
water runoff from developed or disturbed
lands to reduce the movement of sediment,
nutrients, and pollutants for restoration,
protection, or enhancement of water quality
in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect
groundwater and drinking water; and (2)
installation of proven and effective water
retention practices including, but not
limited to, rain gardens and other vegetated
infiltration basins and sediment control
basins in order to keep water on the land.
The projects must be of long-lasting public
benefit, include a local match, and be
consistent with TMDL implementation plans
or local water management plans or their
equivalents. Local government unit costs
may be used as a match.

(i) $84,000 the first year and $84,000 the
second year are for a technical evaluation
panel to conduct ten restoration evaluations
under Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.50,
subdivision 6.

(j) $450,000 the first year and $450,000 the
second year are for assistance and grants to
local governments to transition local water
management plans to a watershed approach
as provided for in Minnesota Statutes,
chapters 103B, 103C, 103D, and 114D.

(k) The board shall contract for services
with Conservation Corps Minnesota for
restoration, maintenance, and other activities
under this section for up to $500,000 the first
year and up to $500,000 the second year.

(l) The board may shift grant or cost-share
funds in this section and may adjust the
technical and administrative assistance
portion of the funds to leverage federal or
other nonstate funds or to address oversight
responsibilities or high-priority needs
identified in local water management plans.

(m) The board shall require grantees to
specify the outcomes that will be achieved
by the grants prior to any grant awards.

(n) The appropriations in this section are
available until June 30, 2018. Returned grant
funds are available until expended and shall
be regranted consistent with the purposes of
this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Laws 2013, chapter 137, article 2, section 8, is amended to read:

Sec. 8. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

$

4,635,000

$

deleted text begin 4,635,000 deleted text end new text begin 4,535,000 new text end

(a) $1,150,000 the first year and $1,150,000
the second year are for addressing public
health concerns related to contaminants
found in Minnesota drinking water for
which no health-based drinking water
standards exist, including accelerating the
development of health risk limits, including
triclosan, and improving the capacity of
the department's laboratory to analyze
unregulated contaminants.

(b) $1,615,000 the first year and $1,615,000
the second year are for protection of drinking
water sources.

(c) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the
second year are for cost-share assistance to
public and private well owners for up to 50
percent of the cost of sealing unused wells.

(d) $390,000 the first year and deleted text begin $390,000 deleted text end
new text begin $290,000 new text end the second year are to update and
expand the county well index, in cooperation
with the commissioner of natural resources.

(e) $325,000 the first year and $325,000 the
second year are for studying the occurrence
and magnitude of contaminants in private
wells and developing guidance to ensure
that new well placement minimizes the
potential for risks, in cooperation with the
commissioner of agriculture.

(f) $105,000 the first year and $105,000 the
second year are for monitoring recreational
beaches on Lake Superior for pollutants that
may pose a public health risk and mitigating
sources of bacterial contamination that are
identified.

(g) $800,000 the first year and $800,000
the second year are for the development
and implementation of a groundwater
virus monitoring plan, including an
epidemiological study to determine the
association between groundwater virus
concentration and community illness rates.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2017.

(h) Unless otherwise specified, the
appropriations in this section are available
until June 30, 2016.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 3, is amended to
read:

Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

$

8,584,000

$

deleted text begin 5,082,000 deleted text end new text begin 7,582,000 new text end

(a) $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the
second year are to increase monitoring for
pesticides and pesticide degradates in surface
water and groundwater and to use data
collected to assess pesticide use practices.

(b) $2,586,000 the first year and $2,585,000
the second year are for monitoring and
evaluating trends in the concentration of
nitrate in groundwater in areas vulnerable
to groundwater degradation; monitoring
for pesticides when nitrate is detected;
promoting, developing, and evaluating
regional and crop-specific nutrient best
management practices; assessing best
management practice adoption; education
and technical support from University of
Minnesota Extension; and other actions to
protect groundwater from degradation from
nitrate. This appropriation is available until
June 30, 2018.

(c) $75,000 the first year and $75,000 the
second year are for administering clean water
funds managed through the agriculture best
management practices loan program. Any
unencumbered balance at the end of the
second year shall be added to the corpus of
the loan fund.

(d) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000
the second year are for technical assistance,
research, and demonstration projects on
proper implementation of best management
practices and more precise information on
nonpoint contributions to impaired waters.
This appropriation is available until June 30,
2020.

(e) $788,000 the first year and $787,000 the
second year are for research to quantify and
reduce agricultural contributions to impaired
waters and for development and evaluation
of best management practices to protect and
restore water resources. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2020.

(f) $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the
second year are for a research inventory
database containing water-related research
activities. Costs for information technology
development or support for this research
inventory database may be paid to the Office
of MN.IT Services. This appropriation is
available until June 30, 2018.

(g) $2,500,000 the first year new text begin and $2,500,000
the second year new text end is to implement the Minnesota
agricultural water quality certification
program statewide. The commissioner of
agriculture shall consult with the United
States Department of Agriculture to
determine whether other state spending
would qualify as a match for the agricultural
water quality certification program funds
available from the federal government. By
January 1, 2016, the commissioner shall
submit a report on funding recommendations
to the Clean Water Council and the chairs
and ranking minority members of the house
of representatives and senate committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture,
the environment and natural resources, and
the clean water fund. Funds appropriated in
this paragraph are available until June 30,
deleted text begin 2016, and the commissioner may request
additional funding for this program for fiscal
year 2017 deleted text end new text begin 2019 new text end .

(h) $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the
second year are to provide funding for a
regional irrigation water quality specialist
through University of Minnesota Extension.

(i) $1,000,000 the first year is for grants
to the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota to fund the Forever Green
Agriculture Initiative and to protect the
state's natural resources while increasing
the efficiency, profitability, and productivity
of Minnesota farmers by incorporating
perennial and winter-annual crops into
existing agricultural practices.

(j) A portion of the funds in this section may
be used for programs to train state and local
outreach staff in the intersection between
agricultural economics and agricultural
conservation.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 5, is amended to
read:

Sec. 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

$

deleted text begin 27,350,000 deleted text end new text begin 27,205,000 new text end

$

deleted text begin 27,348,000 deleted text end new text begin 28,348,000 new text end

(a) $8,350,000 the first year and deleted text begin $8,350,000 deleted text end
new text begin $8,550,000 new text end the second year are for
completion of 20 percent of the needed
statewide assessments of surface water
quality and trends. Of this amount, $100,000
each year is for grants to the Red River
Watershed Management Board to enhance
and expand the existing water quality
and watershed monitoring river watch
activities in the schools along the Red River
of the North. The Red River Watershed
Management Board shall provide a report to
the commissioner of the Pollution Control
Agency and the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over environment
and natural resources finance and policy and
the clean water fund by February 15, 2017,
on the expenditure of this appropriation. If
the amount in the first year is insufficient, the
amount in the second year is available in the
first year.

(b) $9,795,000 the first year and deleted text begin $9,795,000 deleted text end
new text begin $10,595,000 new text end the second year are to develop
watershed restoration and protection
strategies (WRAPS), which include total
maximum daily load (TMDL) studies and
TMDL implementation plans for waters
listed on the Unites States Environmental
Protection Agency approved impaired waters
list in accordance with Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 114D. The agency shall complete an
average of ten percent of the TMDLs each
year over the biennium.

(c) $1,182,000 the first year and $1,181,000
the second year are for groundwater
assessment, including enhancing the
ambient monitoring network, modeling, and
evaluating trends, including the reassessment
of groundwater that was assessed ten to 15
years ago and found to be contaminated.

(d) $750,000 the first year and $750,000 the
second year are for implementation of the
St. Louis River System Area of Concern
Remedial Action Plan. This appropriation
must be matched at a rate of 65 percent
nonstate money to 35 percent state money.

(e) $275,000 the first year and $275,000 the
second year are for storm water research and
guidance.

(f) deleted text begin $1,150,000 deleted text end new text begin $1,005,000 new text end the first year and
$1,150,000 the second year are for TMDL
research and database development.

(g) $900,000 the first year and $900,000
the second year are for national pollutant
discharge elimination system wastewater and
storm water TMDL implementation efforts.

(h) $3,623,000 the first year and $3,622,000
the second year are for enhancing the
county-level delivery systems for subsurface
sewage treatment system (SSTS) activities
necessary to implement Minnesota Statutes,
sections 115.55 and 115.56, for protection
of groundwater, including base grants
for all counties with SSTS programs and
competitive grants to counties with specific
plans to significantly reduce water pollution
by reducing the number of systems that
are an imminent threat to public health or
safety or are otherwise failing. Counties that
receive base grants must report the number
of sewage noncompliant properties upgraded
through SSTS replacement, connection
to a centralized sewer system, or other
means, including property abandonment
or buy-out. Counties also must report
the number of existing SSTS compliance
inspections conducted in areas under county
jurisdiction. These required reports are to
be part of established annual reporting for
SSTS programs. Counties that conduct SSTS
inventories or those with an ordinance in
place that requires an SSTS to be inspected
as a condition of transferring property or as a
condition of obtaining a local permit must be
given priority for competitive grants under
this paragraph. Of this amount, $750,000
each year is available to counties for grants to
low-income landowners to address systems
that pose an imminent threat to public health
or safety or fail to protect groundwater. A
grant awarded under this paragraph may not
exceed $500,000 for the biennium. A county
receiving a grant under this paragraph must
submit a report to the agency listing the
projects funded, including an account of the
expenditures.

(i) $275,000 the first year and $275,000
the second year are for a storm water
best management practice performance
evaluation and technology transfer program
to enhance data and information management
of storm water best management practices;
evaluate best management performance
and effectiveness to support meeting total
maximum daily loads; develop standards
and incorporate state of the art guidance
using minimal impact design standards as
the model; and implement a knowledge
and technology transfer system across
local government, industry, and regulatory
sectors for pass-through to the University of
Minnesota. This appropriation is available
until June 30, 2018.

(j) $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the
second year are to support activities of the
Clean Water Council according to Minnesota
Statutes, section 114D.30, subdivision 1.

(k) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are for a grant program for
sanitary sewer projects that are included in
the draft or any updated Voyageurs National
Park Clean Water Project Comprehensive
Plan to restore the water quality of waters
within Voyageurs National Park. Grants must
be awarded to local government units for
projects approved by the Voyageurs National
Park Clean Water Joint Powers Board and
must be matched by at least 25 percent from
sources other than the clean water fund.

(l) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 16A.28, the appropriations in this
section encumbered on or before June 30,
2017, as grants or contracts are available
until June 30, 2020.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 2, article 2, section 7, is amended to
read:

Sec. 7. BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$

deleted text begin 56,841,000 deleted text end new text begin 56,341,000 new text end

$

56,322,000

(a) $4,875,000 the first year and $4,875,000
the second year are for grants to local
government units organized for the
management of water in a watershed or
subwatershed that have multiyear plans
that will result in a significant reduction in
water pollution in a selected subwatershed.
The grants may be used for establishment
of riparian buffers; practices to store
water for natural treatment and infiltration,
including rain gardens; capturing storm
water for reuse; stream bank, shoreland, and
ravine stabilization; enforcement activities;
and implementation of best management
practices for feedlots within riparian areas
and other practices demonstrated to be
most effective in protecting, enhancing, and
restoring water quality in lakes, rivers, and
streams and protecting groundwater from
degradation. Grant recipients must identify
a nonstate match and may use other legacy
funds to supplement projects funded under
this paragraph. Grants awarded under this
paragraph are available for four years and
priority must be given to the best designed
plans each year.

(b) $10,187,000 the first year and
$10,188,000 the second year are for grants
to protect and restore surface water and
drinking water; to keep water on the land; to
protect, enhance, and restore water quality
in lakes, rivers, and streams; and to protect
groundwater and drinking water, including
feedlot water quality and subsurface sewage
treatment system projects and stream bank,
stream channel, shoreline restoration,
and ravine stabilization projects. The
projects must use practices demonstrated
to be effective, be of long-lasting public
benefit, include a match, and be consistent
with total maximum daily load (TMDL)
implementation plans, watershed restoration
and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local
water management plans or their equivalents.
A portion of these funds may be used to seek
administrative efficiencies through shared
resources by multiple local governmental
units.

(c) deleted text begin $6,000,000 deleted text end new text begin $5,500,000 new text end the first year
and $6,000,000 the second year are for
targeted local resource protection and
enhancement grants and statewide program
enhancements for technical assistance,
citizen and community outreach, and
training and certification, as well as projects,
practices, and programs that supplement or
otherwise exceed current state standards for
protection, enhancement, and restoration of
water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams or
that protect groundwater from degradation,
including compliance.

(d) $950,000 the first year and $950,000
the second year are to provide state
oversight and accountability, evaluate
results, provide implementation tools, and
measure the value of conservation program
implementation by local governments,
including submission to the legislature by
March 1 each even-numbered year a biennial
report prepared by the board, in consultation
with the commissioners of natural resources,
health, agriculture, and the Pollution Control
Agency, detailing the recipients, the projects
funded under this section, and the amount of
pollution reduced.

(e) $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000
the second year are for grants to local units
of government to enhance compliance
with riparian buffer or alternate practice
requirements.

(f) $4,875,000 the first year and $4,875,000
the second year are to restore or preserve
permanent conservation on riparian buffers
adjacent to lakes, rivers, streams, and
tributaries, to keep water on the land in order
to decrease sediment, pollutant, and nutrient
transport; reduce hydrologic impacts to
surface waters; and increase infiltration for
groundwater recharge. This appropriation
may be used for restoration of riparian
buffers permanently protected by easements
purchased with this appropriation or contracts
to achieve permanent protection for riparian
buffers or stream bank restorations when the
riparian buffers have been restored. Up to
$344,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and
enforcement account.

(g) $1,750,000 the first year and $1,750,000
the second year are for permanent
conservation easements on wellhead
protection areas under Minnesota Statutes,
section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph
(d), or for grants to local units of government
for fee title acquisition to permanently
protect groundwater supply sources on
wellhead protection areas or for otherwise
assuring long-term protection of groundwater
supply sources as described under alternative
management tools in the Department
of Agriculture's Nitrogen Fertilizer
Management Plan, including low nitrogen
cropping systems or implementing nitrogen
fertilizer best management practices. Priority
must be placed on land that is located where
the vulnerability of the drinking water supply
is designated as high or very high by the
commissioner of health, where drinking
water protection plans have identified
specific activities that will achieve long-term
protection, and on lands with expiring
Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
Up to $52,500 is for deposit in a monitoring
and enforcement account.

(h) $750,000 the first year and $750,000
the second year are for community partner
grants to local units of government for:
(1) structural or vegetative management
practices that reduce storm water runoff
from developed or disturbed lands to reduce
the movement of sediment, nutrients, and
pollutants for restoration, protection, or
enhancement of water quality in lakes, rivers,
and streams and to protect groundwater
and drinking water; and (2) installation
of proven and effective water retention
practices including, but not limited to, rain
gardens and other vegetated infiltration
basins and sediment control basins in order
to keep water on the land. The projects must
be of long-lasting public benefit, include a
local match, and be consistent with TMDL
implementation plans, watershed restoration
and protection strategies (WRAPS), or local
water management plans or their equivalents.
Local government unit costs may be used as
a match.

(i) $84,000 the first year and $84,000 the
second year are for a technical evaluation
panel to conduct ten restoration evaluations
under Minnesota Statutes, section 114D.50,
subdivision 6.

(j) $2,100,000 the first year and $2,100,000
the second year are for assistance, oversight,
and grants to local governments to transition
local water management plans to a watershed
approach as provided for in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 103B, 103C, 103D, and
114D.

(k) $750,000 the first year and $750,000
the second year are for technical assistance
and grants for the conservation drainage
program in consultation with the Drainage
Work Group, coordinated under Minnesota
Statutes, section 103B.101, subdivision
13, that includes projects to improve
multipurpose water management under
Minnesota Statutes, section 103E.015.

(l) $9,000,000 the first year and $9,000,000
the second year are to purchase and restore
permanent conservation sites via easements
or contracts to treat and store water on the
land for water quality improvement purposes
and related technical assistance. This work
may be done in cooperation with the United
States Department of Agriculture with a first
priority use to accomplish a conservation
reserve enhancement program, or equivalent,
in the state. Up to $1,285,000 is for deposit
in a monitoring and enforcement account.

(m) $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000
the second year are to purchase permanent
conservation easements to protect lands
adjacent to public waters with good water
quality but threatened with degradation. Up
to $190,000 is for deposit in a monitoring
and enforcement account.

(n) $500,000 the first year and $500,000
the second year are for a program to
systematically collect data and produce
county, watershed, and statewide estimates
of soil erosion caused by water and wind
along with tracking adoption of conservation
measures to address erosion.

(o) $11,000,000 the first year and
$11,000,000 the second year are for
payments to soil and water conservation
districts for the purposes of Minnesota
Statutes, sections 103C.321 and 103C.331.
From this appropriation, each soil and water
conservation district shall receive an increase
in its base funding of $100,000 per year.
Money remaining after the base increase
is available for matching grants to soil and
water conservation districts based on county
allocations to soil and water conservation
districts. The board and other agencies may
reduce the amount of grants to a county by an
amount equal to any reduction in the county's
allocation to a soil and water conservation
district from the county's previous-year
allocation when the board determines that
the reduction was disproportionate. The
second-year appropriation cancels if new
buffer requirements are not enacted in 2015.

(p) $520,000 the first year is for a grant
to Washington County for a water quality
improvement project that will improve water
quality and restore an essential backwater
aquatic area by reconnecting Grey Cloud
Slough to the main channel of the Mississippi
River Area. This appropriation is not
available until at least an equal amount is
committed from nonstate sources.

(q) The Board of Water and Soil
Resources must consider the inclusion
of environmentally suitable annuals the
next time the board establishes or revises
vegetation establishment and enhancement
guidelines for the purposes of riparian
buffers.

(r) The board shall contract for delivery of
services with Conservation Corps Minnesota
for restoration, maintenance, and other
activities under this section for up to
$500,000 the first year and up to $500,000
the second year.

(s) The board may shift grant or cost-share
funds in this section and may adjust the
technical and administrative assistance
portion of the funds to leverage federal or
other nonstate funds or to address oversight
responsibilities or high-priority needs
identified in local water management plans.

(t) The board shall require grantees to specify
the outcomes that will be achieved by the
grants prior to any grant awards.

(u) The appropriations in this section are
available until June 30, 2020. Returned grant
funds are available until expended and shall
be regranted consistent with the purposes of
this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end