Committee advances narrow irrigation allowance for northern Mount Simon–Hinckley aquifer

Representative Michael Schultz asked the committee to recommend House File 4019 to the general register after adopting an author's amendment and a verbal A1 clarification limiting irrigation to a mapped northern extent of the Mount Simon–Hinckley aquifer.

Carly Griffith, water program director for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, said the revised bill "is a much more reasonable solution to a localized need for agricultural irrigation," noting the measure restricts irrigation to the aquifer's northern extent and points to a committee handout map showing better recharge characteristics in that area.

Jim Berg, a retired DNR hydrogeologist who led extensive investigations of the Mount Simon–Hinckley aquifer, testified the research shows limited recharge across the aquifer's southern extent but "moderate to very high recharge characteristics" in the northern area (Sherburne, Isanti and Chisago counties), and said "agricultural irrigation should certainly be allowed in the northern area."

Rep. Schultz said the bill and its amendments are designed to provide data and protections while giving farmers limited access where science supports recharge; members asked about monitoring and whether positive contaminant test results would trigger ongoing testing. The author said the amendment's language was intended to create a baseline picture of aquifer health that can inform future policy.

After discussion and questions, Representative Schultz renewed his motion and the committee voted to recommend HF4019, as amended, to the general register.