Court Case Pushes Minnesota to Review Rules Tied to Farm Runoff

(Adobe Stock via Minnesota News Connection)

(By Mike Moen. Minnesota News Connection) – A Minnesota court settlement is prompting the state to take another look at what’s considered a “hidden threat” to water supplies.

At issue is excess nitrate runoff from farm fields. This month’s agreement stems from a lawsuit filed earlier this year by a handful of environmental groups. They challenged the effectiveness of existing rules covering farm practices like manure and commercial fertilizer application.

Carly Griffith, water program director at the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, said when common farming activities are not followed with enough safeguards, the drinking water in surrounding communities is vulnerable to pollution.

“There are really often higher burdens of health impacts and on rural, private, well users that aren’t on the municipal public water supply system,” Griffith explained