1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to environment; preempting rules in establishing sulfates water quality 
1.3 	standard in Class 4A waters; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. SULFATES WATER QUALITY STANDARD; CLASS 4A WATERS.
 1.6 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 7050.0224, subpart 2, the water quality 
1.7 	standard for sulfates in Class 4A waters is 50 milligrams per liter (mg/L), applicable to 
1.8 	water used for production of wild rice during periods when the rice may be susceptible 
1.9 	to damage by high sulfate levels.
1.10 	(b) Within 30 days of the effective date of this act, the commissioner of the Pollution 
1.11 	Control Agency must create an advisory group to provide input to the commissioner on 
1.12 	a protocol for scientific research to assess the impacts of sulfates and other substances 
1.13 	on the growth of wild rice, review research results, and provide other advice on the 
1.14 	development of future rule amendments to protect wild rice. The group must include the 
1.15 	commissioners of natural resources and the Pollution Control Agency, or their designees, 
1.16 	and representatives of tribal governments, municipal wastewater treatment facilities, 
1.17 	the mining industry, industrial dischargers, the University of Minnesota, and wild rice 
1.18 	research experts.
1.19 	(c) By December 15, 2011, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency 
1.20 	must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and 
1.21 	natural resources policy on the progress of the advisory group under paragraph (b). By 
1.22 	December 15, 2012, the commissioner must recommend to the legislative committees 
1.23 	with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy a sulfates water quality 
1.24 	standard for Class 4A waters that is supported by current science and the work of the 
2.1 	advisory group under paragraph (b). The standard under paragraph (a) remains in effect 
2.2 	until the legislature enacts a new statutory standard.

2.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.4 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.5 	$....... is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2012 to the commissioner 
2.6 	of the Pollution Control Agency for purposes of section 1.