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Swedzinski urges public to comment on nitrogen rule

MARSHALL — Local legislators are urging citizens to take advantage of an extended window for making written comments on proposed rule changes on the use of nitrogen fertilizer.

The public comment period on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Groundwater Protection Rule has been extended two weeks, to August 15. The comment period was originally supposed to close Aug. 2.

“It is good citizens have some extra time to lodge their input, but now we need to make it count,” said Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent. “The Dayton administration has not done enough to include citizens in the rulemaking process on everything from buffer strips to enhanced mowing regulations, nitrates and beyond. My hope is that people take advantage of this opportunity to voice themselves on the nitrate issue so we can work to build consensus and choose the best path for the ling term.”

The proposed Groundwater Protection Rule would regulate the use of nitrogen fertilizer in parts of Minnesota where soils are vulnerable to leaching, and where drinking water supplies have high levels of nitrates. Some of the proposed protections in the rule include limiting the application of nitrogen fertilizer in certain areas, and monitoring drinking water supplies with elevated levels of nitrates.

Restrictions on nitrogen fertilizer application wouldn’t go into effect until 2020.

According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, nitrate is one of the most common contaminants in Minnesota’s groundwater. A major source of nitrates in Minnesota is nitrogen fertilizer.

But Minnesota farmers have voiced criticism for the proposal, saying they are already careful about the amounts of fertilizer they use. Farmers also spoke out saying there are also other sources for nitrates in groundwater, like lawns or golf courses.

Over the past two weeks, public hearings on the proposal were held at several locations around Minnesota. A hearing in Worthington was held July 19.

Written comments on the Groundwater Protection Rule can be submitted online at www.mda.state. mn.us/gwphrearingnotice. Members of the public have until 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 to submit a written comment.

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