The University of Minnesota would receive $750,000 to perform a comprehensive statewide study of ground and surface water, under a bill sponsored by Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls).
HF1031 was approved March 12 by the House Environment Policy and Oversight Committee and sent to the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division.
The appropriation would come from the Clean Water Fund, which will receive a portion of the three-eighths of 1 percent dedicated sales tax to begin being collected July 1, 2009.
Wagenius said the study would be similar to the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan completed by the university in June 2008. A set of study recommendations would create a framework of how to protect, conserve and enhance the quality of ground and surface water. Study results would be due to the Legislature Jan. 1, 2011.
“It’s a huge amount of money, but from everything we’ve heard, this is a drop in the bucket for what we need to take care of our waters,” Wagenius said in response to Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Wabasha), who questioned the allocation.
A companion, SF924, sponsored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
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