MN HF3624

Commissioner of Natural Resources must issue a 15-year water use permit for calcareous fens in Pipestone County upon application, notwithstanding existing statutes.

Water use is limited to agricultural crop irrigation at a maximum rate of 800 gallons per minute in accordance with a submitted irrigation plan.

Permit may be revoked after 5 years if water drawdown endangers the continued sustainability of the calcareous fens; permittee receives prorated reimbursement for irrigation system costs based on remaining years of the original 15-year term.

Commissioner must monitor the fens and collect data throughout the permit term; if fens remain viable after 15 years, the permit is renewed for an additional 15 years without the 5-year revocation condition.

Appropriates unspecified funds from the natural resources fund in fiscal year 2017 to the Commissioner of Natural Resources for technical assistance and data collection.