MN SF3966

Requires the Pollution Control Agency to complete watershed restoration and protection strategies for all major Minnesota watersheds by June 30, 2023, with updates allowed after August 1, 2026.

Prioritizes clean water fund money for restoration and protection projects only after initial watershed strategies are completed for each major watershed, unless an existing comprehensive watershed management plan meets statutory definitions.

Establishes priority criteria for restoration projects including coordination with local authorities, leveraging other funding sources, targeting waters closest to meeting quality standards, and restoring public health benefits including drinking water sources.

Requires protection of high-quality unimpaired waters most at risk of becoming impaired when funding prevention actions.

Mandates that clean water fund recipients prioritize impaired waters closest to meeting water quality standards or protect high-quality waters before using money for other purposes, and must report how proposed projects satisfy restoration and protection requirements.