Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to allocate funding for a southeast regional initiative aimed at protecting groundwater and improving soil health in specific counties within Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• The bill proposes appropriating funds from the state's general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
• These funds will go to the Commissioner of Agriculture for distribution as grants to soil and water conservation districts.
• The initiative targets the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

Goals of the Initiative

• The initiative aims to reduce leaching of excess crop nutrients, such as nitrogen, into the groundwater.
• It seeks to immobilize unused nitrogen from the rooting zone and reduce soil erosion.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill allows soil and water conservation districts receiving grants to make subgrants for specific projects, notwithstanding certain existing statutory limitations.
• It aligns with the Olmsted County groundwater protection and soil health initiative and includes various programs like cover crop and alternative crops programs, as well as haying, grazing, and pasture enhancement programs.

Relevant Terms

• Groundwater protection
• Soil health initiative
• Nutrient leaching
• Soil erosion
• Cover crop program
• Alternative crops program
• Haying and grazing enhancement