Minnesota Water Policy Subcommittee Meeting Agenda
Co-Chaired by Sen. Bill Weber and Rep. Peter Fischer, this subcommittee meeting on January 15, 2020, focused on key legislative priorities related to water quality, conservation funding, and environmental assessments in Minnesota.
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Presentation Transcript
SUBCOMMITTEE ON MINNESOTA WATER POLICY JANUARY 15, 2020 Co-Chairs: Sen. Bill Weber * Rep. Peter Fischer Jim Stark, Director
AGENDA Call to Order Approval of December 18, 2019 Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Director s Report: Subcommittee Legislative Priorities ~Jim Stark Water quality standards review and , revision, and permit process ~ Catherine Neuschler, MPCA Soil and Water Conservation District, Exploring options for long-term funding ~ Sheila Vanney, Leanne Buck, Minnesota Association, Soil & Water Conservation Districts Environmental Review, Assessment and Petition Process ~ Randall Doneen MN DNR, EQB staff Adjourn
PRESENTATION #1 Director s Report: Subcommittee Legislative Priorities Jim Stark, Director
DIRECTORS REPORT: PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE WATER POLICY TOPICS FOR 2020 Legislative topics are based on member suggestions, input from constituents, and stakeholders Topics have been prioritized and refined These represent pressing needs Described during past meetings Today: Request your direction on moving forward Next steps: Introductions and hearings, or informational meetings
DETAILS Summary handout Detailed position papers are available at the following sites: FTP site: ftp://ftp.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/pub/lwc Google doc site: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fJRbtthWFKc4bOClv-tcflHUJbcmP4XI
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES Topic 1A: Simplifying the Water-Quality Standards Review and Revision Process Topic 1B: Simplifying the Irrigation Water Appropriation Process Topic 1C: State Assumption of Federal Wetlands Permits (Section 404) Topic 1X: Address Soil and Water Conservation District Funding Topic 2A: Prioritizing Outcomes for Clean Water Program Topic 2C: Provide Incentives for Healthy Soil Topic 3A: Prioritizing our Environmental Spending Topic 3D: Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water for the Future Topic 4A: Keeping Water on the Land Quantifying the Impacts of Water Storage and Flood Retention Structures Topic 4C: Encourage and Fund Research and Outreach that Promote Precision Agriculture Topic 5D: Reduce the over-use of Salt Protect our Lakes, Rivers, and Groundwater Topic 5E: Increase efforts to Encourage Efficient Wastewater and Storm Water Technology and Treatment Options Topic 6C: Legislative Support to Improve Minnesota s Water Infrastructure Topic 7A: Creation of a Department of Water Resources Water Governance in Minnesota Topic 7B: Change the Structure and Function of the Clean Water Council & the Subcommittee on Minnesota Water Policy Topic 7D: Leveraging Dedicated Funding Programs to Maximize Conservation Outcomes Topic 2X: Changes to Water Appropriation Priorities for Golf Courses
PROCESS Three Categories: 1. Topics that are similar to bills introduced in 2019 2. Topics that need informational meetings to determine next steps 3. Topics that are new this session
NEXT STEPS #1 Similar to bills introduced in 2019 Draft bills prepared: Issue 2C: Provide Incentives for Healthy Soil Issue 3D: Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water Issue 5D: Reduce the over-use of salt to protect water Issues 5E and 6B: Encourage efficient wastewater and storm-water technology and treatment Issue 6C: Legislative Support to Improve Minnesota s Drinking Water Infrastructure
NEXT STEPS #2 Topics that need informational meetings to determine next steps: Topic 1A: Simplifying the Water-Quality Standards Process Topic 1X: Addressing Soil and Water Conservation District Funding Topic 1B: Simplifying the Irrigation Water Appropriation Process Topic 1C: State Assumption of Federal Wetlands Permits Responsibilities Topic 2A: Prioritizing Outcomes for Clean Water Program Topic 3A: Preparing for an Uncertain Future Topic 7A: Creation of a Department of Water Resources Topic 7B: Change the Structure and Function of the Clean Water Council & the LCC Subcommittee on Minnesota Water Policy Topic 7D: Leveraging Dedicated Funding Programs to Maximize Conservation Outcomes
NEXT STEPS #3 Topics that are new this session Draft bills prepared Issue 4A: Keeping Water on the Land Quantifying Water Storage and Retention Issue 4C: Encouraging and Funding Research and Outreach that Promotes Precision Agriculture Issue 2X: Changes to the Water Appropriation Priorities for Golf Courses
Additional Legislative Topics Need for an emerging contaminants monitoring program? Policy regarding support of increases to the Ag BMP Loan program Policy to encourage, or to ban, enhanced groundwater recharge? Policy on buffer compensation Disposable wipes: is policy on labeling or banning non-disposable wipes needed Organic composting and PFAs in food packaging is there needed policy? Generic EIS: are their issues that should require their use? Emerging contaminants state policy and a program needed? Is storm water retention degrading groundwater quality? Can we reach consensus using appropriate models for BMP prioritization? Beach Health should there be a state monitoring program? Should the water appropriation priority for golf courses be amended? Is policy needed to address changes to WOTUS? Is a program needed to ensure water safety for private well owners? Water Train Issue: is legislation needed? Water quality trading: need for state policy on third party brokers? Issue 2X: 1989 Groundwater Act: Review & Revise
PRESENTATION #2 Water quality standards review, revision, and permit process Catherine Neuschler, MPCA
PRESENTATION #3 Soil and water conservation district, exploring solutions for long-term funding Sheila Vanney and Leanne Buck, Minnesota Association, Soil and Water Conservation Districts
PRESENTATION #4 Environmental Review, Assessment and Petition Process Randall Doneen, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
ANNOUNCEMENTS Next meeting? Water safety for private wells (MDH, USGS) Nitrate analysis in groundwater Thanks!
