This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to require certain users of large amounts of groundwater to apply for their own water-use permits rather than modifying existing municipal permits. Specifically, it targets users whose new or additional consumptive use exceeds 100,000,000 gallons per year or those whose usage exceeds 50 percent of a municipality's current authorized annual appropriation volume. The bill also outlines conditions for issuing these permits, emphasizing the need to protect public health, safety, and welfare, and to consider water conservation technologies and measures.

Additionally, the bill mandates that before issuing a permit, the commissioner must prepare a draft permit, provide a notice and comment period, and conduct an aquifer test if necessary to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. It also requires that records of water usage be reported monthly for those exceeding the specified thresholds, enhancing accountability and oversight in water appropriation practices. The bill deletes the previous requirement for the commissioner to conduct aquifer tests solely based on the need for compliance with public health standards, instead incorporating it into the new permitting process.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 103G.281