Candidates Question: What initiatives do you support to improve the quality of Question: Do you believe there should be more regulations on farm lakes, rivers, streams and waterways across ? drainage or city runoff? What, if any, regulations should the state SENATE pursue? DISTRICT 16 Answers: Answers: (GOP, incumbent): Our lakes, rivers and streams are an important part of our heritage and We all have a responsibility to protect our waters; however over regulation we need to make sure we preserve them for future generations. There have is not the answer. The buffer bill that was passed in 2015 may help with run- been many changes made in the past several years to help improve water off, however, it’s a one size fits all statute that could have been implemented quality. We need to implement scientifically proven methods that will help on a case by case, as needed, basis that may possibly have achieved better with our water quality issues. We should continue to use the money from results. Unfortunately Gov. Dayton vetoed the tax bill that included $10 mil- the Clean Water Legacy fund to accomplish our goals. lion in buffer protection aid to the counties.

James Kanne (DFL): Our water resources are abundant and renewing, but finite. Continued Generic regulations are not going to help but targeted goals and incentives abundance relies on good stewardship. Bringing all stakeholders to the could go a long way on making improvements. Agricultural practices that table and getting them invested in the process is crucial to any successful work vary depending on the land being farmed. Working of establishment of rejuvenation of our water resources. We all have parts of problems; we realistic abatement goals starting from tested current levels should be our all can be part of the solution. Increased funding for point source abate- starting point. By targeting specific waterways we could see real improve- ment by business and municipalities is part as well as improved land use ments. practices by farmers and homeowners. DISTRICT 19 Shane Wernsing (Libertarian): The greatest conservationists are private individuals (farmers and other Any such regulations should be transferred to and monitored by more local land-owners) and private groups (especially hunter groups such as governments such as city councils and county boards. They — along with Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and related organizations). Also, the the residents of the area — are most aware of quality issues and their greatest marker for and sustainer of a healthy environment is a healthy causes. Also, they are best able to enact and monitor any imposed regula- economy. Improving the latter will improve the former. tions.

Water is what Minnesota is famous for! We now have a Clean Water Land Minnesota has been monitoring and regulating drainage for over a hun- and Legacy Amendment comprised of eight state agencies that created dred years according to the BWSR. As scientific methods improved, so has Willa Dailey (GOP): the Clean Water Roadmap in 2014. This roadmap monitors and makes knowledge in best practices to protect our water without compromising farm recommendations for initiatives for long-range improvement of all areas productivity. With numerous regulations and “records and modernization of Minnesota water quality. As experts in their field, I would support their grants” already in place, we should focus on a methodical plan of enforcement recommendations, provided they are made in cooperation with economic of existing regulations before creating new ones. Cities can help improve by and human interests in the areas they will impact. creating more greenbelt requirements in future real estate development. I think we are on the right track with our recent efforts regarding cleaner I think we are at a good place with the recent buffer strip legislation, and (DFL): water. The infrastructure required, including wastewater treatment facili- I don’t propose we adopt new legislation or regulations for either city ties and plans for improved drainage, should be a priority. The more that or agricultural runoff at this point. I think we have to allow our partners stakeholders work together on clean water, the better our outcome will in agriculture, business, and our cities and counties to be seen as good be. Holding back water, allowing for natural filtering, improved science and stewards of the land. Having said that, we should monitor our progress and research on methods of farming that support farmers and water quality act accordingly depending on the results. are all viable approaches. I support Gov. Dayton’s recent efforts regarding water quality in our state. DISTRICT 20 I have authored legislation such as Forever Green, which helps farmers I also believe these policies must be crafted with farmers and local officials Kevin Dahle (DFL, incumbent): diversify their crop options, improve water quality by keeping nitrates in as part of the process. Regulations should be developed and enforced col- the soil rather than our lakes and streams, and create new products based laboratively at the local level. I think our county soil and water conservation on renewable agricultural resources. I have also supported recently passed boards are a great resource in that regard. watershed restoration programs.

Policymakers have a responsibility to preserve and protect one of Minne- (GOP): As of today, we have soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts/watershed management organizations, the DNR, the Board of sota’s most precious natural resources, our water quality. The state should Water and Soil Resources, the Department of Health, the Minnesota Pollu- partner with the county and federal agencies already tasked with clean tion Control Agency, local units of government, lake associations and lake water to ensure we don’t duplicate efforts, provide meaningful assistance to conservation districts and the federal government all with initiatives to farmers and cities making good faith efforts to keep our water supply clean improve water quality. I don’t believe we need more. and be willing to work on remediation plans for those entities that need help in doing the right thing. DISTRICT 23 Again, there is a lot of regulation being thrown around without much input Supporting the local Soil and Water Districts appropriately and allow- from the sectors it is penalizing or regulating to see if and what the out- (GOP, incumbent): ing best practices in soil and water conservation. The governor’s 50-ft come will be. The permitting process is complicated and disjointed. buffer program is heavy-handed, unfair and complicated with questionable results. Adjustment of program will continue. Instead of heavy-handed government, perhaps everyone at the table to develop policies that are attainable by not only the ag community but also manufacturing community, and municipalities is appropriate.

Barbara Lake (DFL): I do support the setback. We need to look at ways to keep run off from Yes, I don’t believe that fields, adjacent to lakes, rivers or streams should fields going into our waterways by sloping the ground and putting in more be so close to the water source that the field literally drains into the water. drain tiles. This effort may need to subsidized by the state and not just the There should be a setback and even a barrier to move the drainage in farmer since the issue is to protect our ground water and waterways from another direction. The same goes for surface water from cities or industrial the effects of nitrogen and other polluters. drainage.

DISTRICT 24 Vicki Jensen (DFL, incumbent): Did not participate John Jasinski: (GOP): Did not participate