By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture published an updated Fall Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Restrictions Map to help agricultural operations across the state comply with the Groundwater Protection Rule.
The rule restricted fall nitrogen fertilizer application in areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination and outlined steps to reduce nitrate pollution in drinking water sources.
The updated map was made available on the MDA website and included several important changes. One Drinking Water Supply Management Area was removed, and one new area was added. The Pine River municipal Drinking Water Supply Management Area was removed because its high nitrate well was no longer used as a primary drinking water source.
At the same time, the Belle Plaine Drinking Water Supply Management Area in Scott County was added to the map. This change followed findings by the Minnesota Department of Health that showed elevated nitrate levels in the local water supply. Under the Groundwater Protection Rule, Belle Plaine was listed as Delayed for Good Cause. Additional details on fall nitrogen application restrictions and possible exceptions were provided on the MDA website.
The agency also announced two Mitigation Level changes that did not directly affect the map. The Goodhue municipal Drinking Water Supply Management Area moved from Delayed for Good Cause to Mitigation Level 1. In addition, the Valley Mobile Home Park non-municipal Drinking Water Supply Management Area was removed from mitigation status. This decision was made because nitrate concentrations in that area had not reached or exceeded 5.4 milligrams per liter during the past ten years. More information is available on the MDA’s Mitigation Level Determination page.
Restrictions on fall nitrogen fertilizer application in affected areas were scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1. Agricultural operations were encouraged to review the updated map to understand whether their land fell within restricted zones and to plan nutrient management practices accordingly.
The Groundwater Protection Rule was designed to protect Minnesota’s drinking water supplies by reducing nitrate contamination from fertilizer use. By updating the map and mitigation designations, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture aimed to provide clear guidance and support for long-term water quality protection efforts across the state.
For more information on the Groundwater Protection Rule and the updated map, visit:
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zms
Categories: Minnesota, Energy, General