Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to allocate funds for the creation of a "water availability atlas" and a siting methodology to assist in determining the best locations for large water users in Minnesota. It aims to support sustainable water use and guide economic development.

Main Provisions

• Allocation of Funds: The bill appropriates money from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the commissioner of natural resources. This fund will be used to develop a water availability atlas and a site assessment methodology.

• Development of Atlas: The water availability atlas will be created using existing data sets to quantify water availability across Minnesota. This will help identify where water resources are plentiful and where they may be scarce.

• Siting Methodology: Along with the atlas, a methodology will be developed to help state agencies, local governments, and economic development authorities determine appropriate sites for large water users and businesses. This is intended to inform planning decisions to ensure efficient water usage and avoid over-extraction in vulnerable areas.

• Reporting Requirement: By January 15, 2028, the commissioner must submit the completed water availability atlas and methodology to the legislative committees that focus on environment, natural resources, and economic development. These resources must also be made available to state and local bodies involved in planning and development.

• One-time Appropriation: The funding provided in this bill is a one-time appropriation from the state's general fund.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new initiative within the state’s efforts to manage natural resources by specifically funding and mandating the creation of a comprehensive water resource and siting tool. There are no changes to existing laws, but the bill adds to the framework for resource management and economic planning regarding water use.

Relevant Terms

• Water availability atlas
• Siting methodology
• Large water users
• Economic development
• Natural resources
• Minnesota Geospatial Information Office