By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture publishes an updated Fall Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Restrictions Map to support compliance with the Groundwater Protection Rule. The update helps agricultural operations understand where fall nitrogen fertilizer use is restricted to protect groundwater quality across the state.
The Groundwater Protection Rule limits fall nitrogen fertilizer application in areas that are vulnerable to groundwater contamination. It also outlines steps to reduce nitrate pollution in locations where nitrate levels are already elevated in public drinking water supply wells. These measures aim to protect long-term drinking water quality while providing clear guidance for nutrient management planning.
Several updates are included in the revised map, which is available on the MDA website. One Drinking Water Supply Management Area is removed, and one new area is added. The Pine River municipal Drinking Water Supply Management Area is removed because its high-nitrate well is no longer used as a primary drinking water source.
At the same time, the Belle Plaine Drinking Water Supply Management Area in Scott County is added to the map. This update follows findings from the Minnesota Department of Health that identify elevated nitrate levels in the local water supply. Under the Groundwater Protection Rule, Belle Plaine is listed as Delayed for Good Cause. Additional information on fall nitrogen application restrictions and possible exceptions is available through the MDA website.
The agency also announces two Mitigation Level updates that do not affect the map. The Goodhue municipal Drinking Water Supply Management Area moves from Delayed for Good Cause to Mitigation Level 1. In addition, the Valley Mobile Home Park non-municipal Drinking Water Supply Management Area is removed from mitigation status because nitrate levels have not reached or exceeded 5.4 milligrams per liter during the past ten years. More details are available on the MDA’s Mitigation Level Determination page.
Restrictions on fall nitrogen fertilizer application in affected areas take effect on Sept. 1. Agricultural operations are encouraged to review the updated map to determine whether their land falls within restricted zones and to plan nutrient management practices accordingly.
For more information on the Groundwater Protection Rule and the updated map, visit:
https://www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr
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Categories: Minnesota, Energy, General