This bill (S.F. No. 2086) proposes a process for approving site-specific modifications to Minnesota’s sulfate water quality standards while broader rulemaking on the issue is still pending. It establishes criteria for evaluating applications from permit holders (such as industrial or municipal facilities) seeking exceptions to the state's sulfate limits in waters identified as wild rice waters.

Key provisions include:

• Definitions and Scope: The bill defines key terms, including “affected permittee” (entities applying for pollutant discharge permits) and “covered water” (state waters identified as wild rice waters).

• Application Requirements: An application for a site-specific sulfate standard must include:

  • Detailed information on the affected water body.
  • A proposed site-specific sulfate standard based on scientific data.
  • At least three years of monitoring data on sulfate levels and wild rice presence.

• Processing Applications: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) must accept a complete application and:

  • Not deny it until statewide rulemaking is completed.
  • Avoid mandating costly sulfate treatment technologies for permit holders until rulemaking is finalized.

• Permit Conditions: The MPCA may require permit holders to:

  • Monitor sulfate concentrations in their discharges.
  • Implement sulfate minimization plans to protect wild rice.

• Decision Timeline: The MPCA must decide on an application within 150 days after receiving a complete submission or within 150 days after new statewide sulfate regulations are adopted, whichever is later.

• Rulemaking Deadline: The MPCA must finalize sulfate water quality rulemaking by January 15, 2027. Until then, it cannot designate additional waters as wild rice waters based on the presence of naturally occurring wild rice.

This bill seeks to provide regulatory flexibility for industries and municipalities while the state finalizes broader sulfate control standards.