MN HF3677

Board of Water and Soil Resources shall develop and coordinate Minnesota River basin goals and strategies for sediment reduction, flow reduction, and nutrient reduction by December 31, 2017.

Comprehensive watershed management plans for 13 major watersheds within the Minnesota River basin must be completed by December 31, 2020, and must include the coordinated goals and strategies.

If a comprehensive watershed management plan is not completed by December 31, 2020, or is not being implemented, the county or counties within the watershed must petition for establishment of a watershed district.

Board of Water and Soil Resources shall establish a local advisory committee representative of the 13 major watersheds and diverse interests, with Minnesota River Congress members appointed to the committee and meetings held at least annually.

$1,250,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2017, with $1,000,000 designated for grants of up to $250,000 to local government units to initiate comprehensive watershed management plans.