Groundwater Management Areas

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,808,000
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2013
End Date
June 2017
Activity Type
Assessment/Evaluation
Inventory
Mapping
Planning
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Modeling
Technical Assistance
Demonstration/Pilot Project
Counties Affected
Clearwater
Douglas
Meeker
Swift
Wadena
Anoka
Becker
Hubbard
Pope
Ramsey
Stearns
Washington
Clearwater
Douglas
Meeker
Swift
Wadena
Anoka
Becker
Hubbard
Pope
Ramsey
Stearns
Washington
Project Overview

Minnesota’s use of groundwater has increased over the last two decades. An increasing reliance on groundwater may not be a sustainable path for continued economic growth and development. The DNR is establishing three pilot groundwater management areas (GWMA) to help improve groundwater appropriation decisions and help groundwater users better understand and plan for future groundwater needs associated with economic development.

The three areas include: the North and East Metropolitan Region, which includes all of Ramsey and Washington Counties, and the southern portion of Anoka County; the second area includes the Straight River, near Park Rapids; and the third area includes portions of Pope, Stearns, and Kandiyohi counties, known as Bonanza Valley, which includes the towns of Glenwood, Brooten, Belgrade, Elrosa and other communities.

Clean Water Funds are used to hire project managers, meeting facilitators and support stakeholder engagement to inform and advise the planning process.

About the Issue

Water is crucial to Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems. Minnesota has a well-deserved image of having abundant water resources, nevertheless, water is not evenly distributed across the state. Despite our popular image, water is becoming scarce in parts of Minnesota. Unprecedented water use conflicts are arising between businesses, towns, and residents. In most areas of the state, we are not yet in “crisis” mode when it comes to water availability. We have time to address these issues and ensure that Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems have adequate water supplies in the future.

Each of the selected pilot Groundwater Management Areas has been experiencing increased use and reliance on groundwater to meet public or private needs. The purpose of a groundwater management area is to organize resources and people to better understand the risk of overuse and contamination in these areas, and to develop a plan that the Department of Natural Resources can implement to ensure sustainable use of water.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(j)
Appropriation Language

$1808000 the first year is for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.287 subdivision 4. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency health and agriculture shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas. The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas special well construction areas groundwater provinces groundwater recharge areas and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater. This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations. This appropriation is available until June 30 2017.

Note: Amount was amended in M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 6.

Direct expenses
$250,690
Administration costs
$10,793
Number of full time equivalents funded
1.5
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY17 the DNR will finalize and adopt the remaining plans and begin implementing the actions identified. The DNR will also start the process of developing a groundwater model for the Bonanza Valley Groundwater Management Area.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY17 the DNR completed and adopted Groundwater Management Area Plans for the Straight River and Bonanza Valley. The DNR substantially completed the development of a transient groundwater model for the North and East Metro.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(j)
Appropriation Language

$1808000 the first year is for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.287 subdivision 4. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency health and agriculture shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas. The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas special well construction areas groundwater provinces groundwater recharge areas and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater. This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations. This appropriation is available until June 30 2017.

Note: Amount was amended in M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 6.

Direct expenses
$256,899
Administration costs
$83,660
Number of full time equivalents funded
2.3
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The DNR will finalize three Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) plans that can be approved by the commissioner. The DNR will form new advisory committee’s to advise the agency during plan implementation. Implementation will include coordinating with other agencies and local units of government and developing new information to evaluate sustainability of current and projected water use.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY16 the DNR worked with stakeholder advisory committees to complete draft plans for each of the three Groundwater Management Areas (GWMAs). The plan for the North and East Metro Area was finalized and approved by the DNR Commissioner. Plans for the Bonanza Valley and Straight River were nearing completion and approval.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(j)
Appropriation Language

$1808000 the first year is for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.287 subdivision 4. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency health and agriculture shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas. The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas special well construction areas groundwater provinces groundwater recharge areas and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater. This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations. This appropriation is available until June 30 2017.

Note: Amount was amended in M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 6.

Direct expenses
$379,861
Administration costs
$93,329
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.2
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The DNR will conduct technical analysis of existing information in each GWMA and finalize a plan that can be approved by the DNR Commissioner and implemented over the next 5 years within these areas. Each plan will include specific actions that the DNR will take to: ensure groundwater use does not harm aquifers and ecosystems and does not negatively impact surface waters; ensure that groundwater use is reasonable efficient and complies with water conservation requirements; ensure groundwater use will not degrade water quality; ensure groundwater use does not create unresolved well interferences or water use conflicts; and ensure all groundwater users have the necessary permits to use groundwater.

For complete information see the GWMAs webpage at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gwmp/areas.html

Measurable Outcome(s)

The DNR continued technical analysis and worked with stakeholders to develop draft plans for the three proposed groundwater management areas. The areas include: the North and East Metro Bonanza Valley (Glenwood to Paynesville) and the Straight River (near Park Rapids). The draft plans include specific actions the DNR will take to ensure that water use is sustainable.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(j)
Appropriation Language

$1808000 the first year is for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.287 subdivision 4. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency health and agriculture shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas. The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas special well construction areas groundwater provinces groundwater recharge areas and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater. This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations. This appropriation is available until June 30 2017.

Note: Amount was amended in M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 6.

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,808,000
Direct expenses
$267,151
Administration costs
$62,179
Number of full time equivalents funded
2.5
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY14 the DNR will lead a year-long effort in three proposed Groundwater Management Areas: the North and East Metro GWMA the Bonanza Valley GWMA and the Straight River GWMA. A series of stakeholder meetings will be held and Preliminary Assessment Reports will be completed for all three GWMAs.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY14 the DNR initiated planning projects and stakeholder involvement efforts to establish three groundwater management areas (GWMA’s). DNR formed a project advisory team (PAT) for each of these areas to provide advice and feedback during the GWMA planning process. The project advisory team includes cities permitted users business people conservation districts and other state agencies. DNR completed preliminary assessments of technical information and shared that information with the PAT’s over a series of monthly meetings. Discussions about potential actions are ongoing and will inform plan development.

For complete information see the GWMAs webpage at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gwmp/areas.html

Project Manager
First Name
Jason
Last Name
Moeckel
Organization Name
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Street Address
500 Lafayette Road
City
Saint Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55155
Phone
(651) 259-5240
Email
jason.moeckel@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency