Straight River Groundwater Management Area Plan
Straight River Groundwater Management Area Plan March 2017 Funding for this project was provided, in part, by the following: The Clean Water Fund, which receives 33 percent of the sales tax revenue from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, approved by voters in November 2008. The Clean Water Fund’s purpose is to protect, enhance and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater. At least 5 percent of the money is targeted for the protection of drinking water sources. The Legislature allocates funds for water quality work and drinking water protection based on recommendations from the Clean Water Council. Page | i Office of the Commissioner 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul MN 55155-4037 651-259-5555 March 2017 Straight River Groundwater Management Area: Designation and Plan Minnesota is rich in water resources. With more than 10,000 lakes, thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and many thousands of acres of wetlands, it might be natural to think that our water is essentially unlimited. But in some parts of the state, the unseen, underground aquifers that make up our groundwater resources are under pressure to meet growing needs for domestic water supplies, irrigation, industrial and other uses. These groundwater resources also are interconnected with lakes, streams and wetlands that we value for commerce, recreation, and water supplies. Those surface waters also provide the habitat needed by many animals and plants. If we are not careful in how we use water, both economic development and ecosystems could be put at risk. These concerns led the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to explore a different approach to groundwater management in three areas around the state where trends suggest groundwater use might be or become unsustainable.
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