ST. PAUL – What is the best long-term solution to reduce nitrate concentrations in the drinking water of the Karst Region in southeastern Minnesota? State Representative Steve Jacob (R-Altura) said different alternatives have been presented, and the legislative discussion has begun.
“On one hand, I have a proposal that incorporates all best management practices to help solve the issue,” Jacob said. “On the other hand, there is a proposal that financially punishes farmers just because they’re farmers.”
Jacob said a statewide response is necessary after the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) petition that directed the State of Minnesota to develop and implement a long-term solution addressing the Karst Region nitrate issue.
Under Jacob’s legislation, any farmer in the Karst Region would receive a $5 per acre tax credit for any ag land that is placed in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP).
As part of the program, a representative of the local soil and water conservation district would look at the applicant’s farming practices, review what is going well and what isn’t, and tell the farmer what needs to be done in order for the state to approve certification. Once the process has been successfully completed, the farm is MAWQCP certified for 10 years.
“I believe my plan is more solution oriented,” Jacob said. “If a farm is certified, future nitrates will be prevented from entering the ground water and other pollutants that are often associated with ag land will also disappear.”
Jacob said the other proposal receiving strong consideration would raise fertilizer fees by 108% to help pay future costs. The bill would also apply a new 99-cent per ton drinking water fee to registrants who pay the current fertilizer inspection fee and makes it retroactive to July 1, 2023.
“To me, this bill author wants to penalize the farmers of today for what he considers to be the sins of farmers from more than 40 years ago,” Jacob said.
Jacob said he continues to work hard behind the scenes to gain support for his water quality certification program plan. He expects a final decision to move forward in the coming weeks.