Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to allocate financial resources to enhance and expand existing river monitoring programs in Minnesota. The focus is on improving water quality monitoring in specific river basins.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill provides $150,000 for the fiscal year 2026 and another $150,000 for the fiscal year 2027. These funds are drawn from the Clean Water Fund.
• Grant Recipient: The funds are appropriated specifically for the Friends of the Minnesota Valley organization.
• Program Expansion: The bill aims to enhance and expand water quality and watershed monitoring through "river watch" activities. These activities involve schools within the Minnesota River basin watershed and are conducted in cooperation with Clean River Partners in the Cannon River basin watershed.
• Reporting Requirement: By February 15, 2027, Friends of the Minnesota Valley must provide a report detailing how the appropriated funds were spent. This report must be submitted to both the commissioner and relevant legislative committees overseeing environment, natural resources finance, and clean water fund policy.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces a specific funding commitment to support river watching and monitoring activities, thereby expanding the educational and environmental efforts in these areas.

Relevant Terms

• Clean Water Fund
• Water quality monitoring
• River watch
• Friends of the Minnesota Valley
• Cannon River basin
• Minnesota River basin
• Watershed monitoring