Water fund distribution proposed

With an anticipated $158 million flowing into the Clean Water Fund during the next biennium from increased sales tax revenues, Rep. Kent Eken (DFL-Twin Valley) sponsors a bill that would distribute $151 million of the funds to state agencies.

The House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division held the bill over April 1 for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

As proposed, HF2128 would appropriate the money as follows:

• Board of Water and Soil Resources would receive $50.5 million for targeted nonpoint source pollution reduction grant projects, technical assistance and engineering grants, county subsurface sewage treatment system grants, feedlot water quality grants, nonpoint source protection activities, and grants for shoreland and roadside protection and restoration projects;

• Public Facilities Authority would receive $46.2 million for total maximum daily load grants, phosphorus reduction grants, loans and grants for small community wastewater treatment, and for technical assistance to small community grant recipients;

• Pollution Control Agency would receive $35.96 million for a statewide assessment of surface water, TMDL plans for impaired waters, civic engagement in TMDL development/implementation, groundwater assessment, drinking water protection and endocrine disruptor monitoring/analysis;

• Department of Agriculture would receive $7.2 million for evaluating and monitoring agricultural practices, TMDL development, a best management practices loan program, pesticide monitoring/assessment, groundwater assessment and drinking water protection activities;

• Department of Natural Resources would receive $7 million to assist in identifying impaired waters, TMDL development/implementation, restoration/protection of nonpoint source pollution, groundwater assessment and drinking water protection;

• Department of Health would receive $3.25 million to assess drinking water contaminants and to conduct activities to protect water at its source; and

• Metropolitan Council would receive $739,000 to implement its master water supply plan.

Though the bill has wide support from the recipient agencies, the Minnesota Farm Bureau and Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, some legislators cautioned about spending the funds for regulatory expenditures. They note the constitutional amendment approved by the majority of state voters in November, requires that spending supplant, and not substitute, money already being spent to “protect, enhance and restore water quality in lakes, rivers and streams and to protect groundwater from degradation.”

A companion, SF1913, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Frederickson (R-New Ulm), awaits action by the Senate Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division.