HF3942 Summary

• Appropriates money in fiscal year 2021 from the general fund to the Commissioner of Natural Resources and University of Minnesota Minnesota Geological Survey to establish a pilot program in a multicounty area with completed geological atlases to ensure safe and sustainable drinking water.

• Requires development and implementation of a method to synthesize and display county geologic atlas data on an aquifer or watershed basis, including information about discharge and recharge.

• Directs construction of a flow model to determine water budgets for the pilot aquifer or watershed and establish prudential limits on sustainable water appropriations.

• Requires submission by October 1, 2021 of a plan to relevant legislative committees summarizing pilot program results and proposing similar efforts for all major state aquifers, including funding options.

• Appropriates money in fiscal year 2021 to the Commissioner of Agriculture in cooperation with the Commissioner of Health to develop a plan for monitoring wells and private well owner education in vulnerable aquifer areas, with a report deadline of October 1, 2021 and funds available until June 30, 2022.