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March 6, 2018
This morning Governor Dayton and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Frederickson held a press conference to discuss the outline of the proposed nitrogen fertilizer rule for nitrate in groundwater. The press release is below and includes a link to a map which shows the proposed areas that will be subject to fall fertilizer application restrictions. The draft rule will be published for comment in May.
Governor
Dayton Proposes Groundwater Protection Measure to Reduce Elevated Nitrate
Levels in Drinking Water
[MAP]
Attached is a map depicting vulnerable areas (shown in purple and green)
where nitrogen fertilizer application would be limited during the
fall to protect groundwater from contamination. [Link]
[AUDIO]
Listen to Governor Mark Dayton and Minnesota
Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson discuss a proposed new groundwater
protection measure. [Link]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2018
Governor
Dayton Proposes Groundwater Protection Measure to Reduce Elevated Nitrate
Levels in Drinking Water
Minnesota
Department of Agriculture engaged over 1,500 farmers and landowners in drafting
the new water quality rule at 17 public meetings across the state
Proposed
rule includes additional protections for drinking water based on public input,
including over 820 written comments from Minnesotans
Additional
opportunities for public comment on the proposed water quality improvement
measure will begin in May, with additional public hearings to be held this
summer
ST. PAUL, MN – Following 17 public meetings that engaged over
1,500 farmers, landowners, and other Minnesotans in conversations across the
state, Governor Mark Dayton and Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave
Frederickson today proposed a new groundwater protection measure. The proposal,
which is based on the input of the farmers and landowners who the rule would
apply to, would help reduce elevated nitrate levels in groundwater and ensure
more Minnesota residents have clean, safe, reliable drinking water supplies.
Nitrate is one of the most common contaminants in Minnesota's groundwater; elevated
nitrate levels in drinking water can pose serious health concerns for humans.
“I am grateful to the many farmers, landowners, and others who
worked with the Department of Agriculture to develop this proposal, which would
greatly improve the quality of drinking water for Minnesotans,” said
Governor Dayton. “Clean, safe, reliable water in our communities is
everyone’s concern, and everyone’s responsibility. I urge all Minnesotans who
wish to further improve or refine this proposal to engage in the public comment
period beginning this spring, and attend the additional public hearings that
will be scheduled this summer.”
Nitrate is a compound that naturally occurs and has many
human-made sources. Nitrate is found in lakes, rivers, and groundwater across
Minnesota. Consuming too much nitrate can affect how blood carries oxygen and
can cause methemoglobinemia (also known as blue baby syndrome).
“The Minnesota Department of Agriculture held 17 meetings across
the state last year as we developed this proposal. Over 1,500 Minnesotans
participated, and we received over 820 written comments that helped make the
proposal even better,” said Commissioner Frederickson. “This
proposal responds to what we heard. It balances the needs of farmers and modern
agricultural production, with the need of all Minnesotans to have safe drinking
water. I look forward to working with Minnesotans across our state in the
coming months to further refine and improve this proposal, to ensure it works
to provide clean, reliable water for all of our communities.”
About the Proposed Groundwater Protection Measure
The groundwater protection proposal introduced today by Governor
Dayton and Commissioner Frederickson would apply to vulnerable areas and areas
with high nitrate levels in public drinking waters. It also would create a
system of voluntary and mandatory mitigation practices in areas with high
nitrate concentrations in the public water supplies. Read more about the
proposed rule below.
 
Timeline for Groundwater Protection Effort
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture expects the rule to be
published for formal comment in mid-to-late May with hearings to be held this
summer and final adoption in late 2018. More information about the rulemaking
process is included below.
Mid to Late May 2018 – The
Department of Agriculture publishes the draft groundwater protection rule and
Statement of Need and Reasonableness for a 30-day public comment period.
Summer 2018 – The Department of
Agriculture holds public hearings on the draft groundwater protection rule.
Fall 2018 – The Office of
Administrative Hearings reviews the comments and gives the Department of
Agriculture 180 days to make revisions to the groundwater protection rule based
on Administrative Law Judge and public hearings.
December 2018 – The
Department of Agriculture submits the final groundwater protection rule to
Office of Administrative Hearings, the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, and
to the Governor.
About Public Comments Already Received on Proposed Groundwater
Effort
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture informally published a
draft of the Groundwater Protection Rule in the summer of 2017, and provided an
opportunity for public comment to help shape the proposed rule. The Department
received more than 820 written comments regarding the rule, and over 1,500
people attended public meetings in Chatfield, Fairmont, Farmington, Hawley,
Marshall, McIntosh, Roseau, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Wadena, and Warren. Additional
public comments were received in Bemidji, Crookston, Mankato, Marshall,
Rochester, and St. Cloud as part of the Governor’s Water Town Hall Meetings. As
rulemaking proceeds, the Department of Agriculture will continue engaging
farmers, landowners, and other key stakeholders in the process to continue to
gather input.
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Office of
Governor Mark Dayton, Communications Department
130 State
Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155
T:
651-201-3400 | E: Dayton.Media@state.mn.us
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