Purpose

To adjust how water use permits are issued to the City of Lake Elmo, enabling the construction and operation of a new municipal water supply well(s), and to increase the amount of water that may be allocated under permits to match expected yearly needs as approved by a water supply plan.

Main Provisions

• The commissioner of natural resources is authorized to issue permits necessary for Lake Elmo to build and operate a new municipal water supply well(s) and to amend existing wateruse permits to increase the authorized volume of water that may be appropriated, consistent with a water supply plan approved under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.291.
• Any new or amended wateruse permits to Lake Elmo must include the same wateruse conservation and planning measures required by law for municipal wells located wholly or partly within the five-mile radius of White Bear Lake.
• This section of the law expires on June 30, 2027.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds explicit authorization to issue and amend permits to increase Lake Elmo’s water allocation based on an approved water supply plan.
• mandates that Lake Elmo’s permits follow the same conservation and planning requirements that apply to wells near White Bear Lake.
• Introduces a sunset date, ending the authority on June 30, 2027.

Implementation Context

• Requires a water supply plan approved by the commissioner under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.291 to guide the permit issuance and volume adjustments.

Potential Impacts

• Provides a path for Lake Elmo to expand its municipal water supply, aligning permit volume with projected needs.
• Elevates conservation and planning requirements to align with standards near White Bear Lake.
• Creates a temporary framework (expires 2027) for these permit actions.

Relevant Terms wateruse permits, City of Lake Elmo, municipal water supply well, authorize volume, water appropriation, water supply plan, Minnesota Statutes section 103G.291, conservation measures, planning measures, five-mile radius, White Bear Lake, expires June 30, 2027.