Subcommittee on Minnesota Water Policy July 16, 2019 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Convener: Representative Peter Fischer Jim Stark, Director

Introductions Representative jeff brand dfl district 19A st. peter Senator rich draheim gop district 20 Madison lake Senator chris eaton dfl district 40 Brooklyn center Senator kent eken dfl district 4 twin valley Representative peter fischer dfl district 43a Maplewood Senator Michael Goggin gop district 21 red wing Representative josh Heintzeman gop district 10a Nisswa Representative todd Lippert dfl district 20B northfield Representative john poston gop district 9a lake shore Representative paul Torkelson gop district 16b hanska Senator bill weber gop district 22 luverne Senator chuck wiger dfl district 43 Maplewood

Agenda Introductions Election of Chairs Approval of Legislative Water Commission Meeting Minutes- June 10, 2019 Committee – Legislative Priorities Session Summary Water Legislation: 2019 Presentation: Watershed Restoration, Chesapeake Bay – Dr. Paul Capel, UM, USGS Presentation: Watershed Protection, Upper Mississippi – Rich Biske, TNC Committee – Legislative Priorities (continued) Summer Field Tour Adjourn

2020 Legislative Priorities Can we improve water quality standard revision process? Is our water management structure efficient compared to other states? One water agency? Agency effectiveness changes, other than a major reorganization? HF2902: Combining the CWC and the Subcommittee on Minnesota Water Policy (SMWP) Have general fund expenditures for the environment eroded? How can we better measure effectiveness of dedicated fund programs? How do environmental and water programs compare to other states? Benefits and consequences around 404 wetlands permit assumptions? Can there be better coordination among SMWP, CWC, LSOHC, and LCCMR? Are we effectively conducting water planning for future needs? Minnesota’s most important water priorities? Can we prioritize conservation for the greatest outcomes? How do we balance the value of protection versus restoration efforts? Other?

Clean Water Outcomes Can we prioritize conservation practices for the best outcomes?

Presentations: Clean Water process – Chesapeake Bay, Paul Chapel Upper Mississippi, Rich Biske (TNC)

Can we Prioritize conservation for the greatest benefits and outcomes? Clean water outcomes may not meet expectations Millions will have been spent Amendment is at half-way point Emphasis is needed on outcomes The questions are: Will funds spent move the needle in improving our water? Can we stress outcomes to ensure that the amendment can be re-approved?

Can we Prioritize conservation for the greatest outcomes? CW programs are evolving from assessment to implementation From state to local emphasis through 1W/1Plan Local emphasis has many positive aspects CW Programs stress: Impaired waters Removing TMDL impairments Structural controls Recently, on agricultural field scale changes

Can we Prioritize conservation for the greatest outcomes? Part 2 Place emphasis on protecting and preserving cleaner waters Clean water act stresses: Restoring water close to standards Protecting high quality waters Protecting waters for public use and health What might be an improvement? Minor adjustments that produce more visible outcomes More priority on watersheds with the greatest potential for positive outcomes Stress results that highlight the value of CW process How do we do this? Discussion

2020 Legislative Priorities (2) Can we improve water quality standard revision process? Is our water management structure efficient compared to other states? one water agency? Agency effectiveness changes – other than a major reorganization? HF2902: combining clean water council and Subcommittee on Minnesota Water Policy (SMWP)? Have general fund expenditures for the environment eroded? How can we better measure effectiveness of dedicated fund programs? How do environmental and water programs compare to other states? Benefits and consequences around 404 wetlands permit assumptions? Can there be better coordination among SMWP, CWC, LSOHC, and LCCMR? Are we effectively conducting water planning for future needs? Minnesota’s most important water priorities? Can we prioritize conservation practices for the greatest benefits? How do we balance the value of protection versus restoration efforts? Others?

2020 Legislative Process Refine priorities with feedback from: Stakeholders Committee members Agency staff Position paper on each recommendation: September Stakeholder Meetings – August and September Committee Approval – October Presentations to environmental and natural resources committees – Beginning of Session Bill sponsors

Closing thoughts Thanks! Field trip: SE Minnesota with CWC and MGWA (September 15 and 16) Subcommittee Meetings: August 20 + stakeholder meeting September 17, or during field trip? Thanks!