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LSP Says State Work Plan Falls Short in Addressing Nitrate Pollution in SE MN 

Focus Should be on Promoting Water-Friendly Farming Systems, Not the Status Quo 

February 5, 2024

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LEWISTON, Minn. — A work plan submitted by Minnesota state agencies to address nitrate pollution in southeastern Minnesota does not address the root cause of the problem and instead relies on pre-existing programs that have shown little evidence of success thus far, said members of the Land Stewardship Project (LSP).

“We know that we can have successful, multi-generational farms in southeastern Minnesota without compromising our water quality. My dairy farm is proof of that,” said Bonnie Haugen, a Canton, Minn., dairy farmer. “Ultimately, this comes down to what kind of farming systems are we, as a state, going to support? We need to lift up farming systems that build our soils, protect our water and use manure as a source of fertility, rather than a waste product to be disposed of.”

On January 12, three state agencies —  the Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Department of Health (MDH) and the Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) — submitted a work plan for addressing nitrate contamination in southeastern Minnesota. This plan is the result of a petition filed in 2023 with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calling for public action on the issue. The petition was signed by LSP and 10 other community organizations.

In their plan, the state agencies divided their response into three phases. Phases 1 and 2 will be primarily led by the MDH, while Phase 3 is jointly spearheaded by the MDA and the MPCA. Phases 1 and 2 focus on widespread well-testing throughout the region and a public health response defined mainly by supplying alternative drinking water supplies to affected residents. While LSP had hoped for a more expedited timeline in this response, the organization believes that this part of the work plan is sufficient to address the immediate public health concerns for southeastern Minnesota, said LSP organizer Martin Moore. However, he added that Phase 3 is lacking in its response to addressing the root causes of nitrate contamination in the long term.

“This work plan shows that we can’t rely on state agencies alone to solve our nitrate contamination problem,” said Moore. “In Phase 3, the MDA doubled down on pre-existing programs such as the Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan and the Groundwater Protection Rule, both of which have shown little evidence they are meaningfully reducing nitrates in our groundwater. Even with these programs in place, southeastern Minnesota is still the only region in the state where nitrate levels are on the rise. We need more.”

Moore expressed disappointment in the agencies’ decision to stall immediate action by assembling a task force of citizens and local leaders to develop a “shared understanding” of the problems and the facts of the nitrate issue and then provide recommendations by June 2025.

“LSP appreciates the inclusion of local stakeholders in this process,” he said. “However, LSP’s members and other residents in southeastern Minnesota already have a shared understanding of this issue and how to fix it: farmers utilizing practices that build soil health in the long term hold the key to the solution.”

Although the Phase 3 plan is lacking, LSP’s members and staff will fight to make sure its farmer-members are given a voice when it comes to participating in and providing input to the nitrate task force in coming months, said Moore.

“Rural residents and the environment are suffering under the weight of large commercial operations and the overapplication of manure to the land,” said Dodge County farmer Sonja Trom Eayrs. “We cannot allow a few special interests who want to continue business as usual to dominate the discussion.”

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The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) is a private, nonprofit, membership-based organization founded in 1982 to foster an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture, and to develop healthy communities. LSP has offices in the Minnesota communities of Lewiston, Montevideo and South Minneapolis. 
 

Category: News Releases
Tags: EPA • factory farm • fertilizer • MDA • MDH • MPCA • nitrates • nitrogen pollution • soil health • state policy • water quality

Contact

Martin Moore, LSP organizer, 320-226-9184, e-mail

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Friday July 11

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Big Community Carne Asada Cookout
Friday July 11
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Big Community Carne Asada Cookout
Todd Park, 2411 11th St NE, (Site #1), Austin MN 55912

You’re invited to our Big Community Carne Asada Cookout! Join COPAL and the Land Stewardship Project for an afternoon of delicious grilled food, music, and great company. Let’s come together to share stories, build stronger connections, and keep growing a united and supportive community. 👉 Limited spots available — register at the link!

 

🔥 ¡Está invitado a nuestra Gran Carne Asada Comunitaria! Acompáñe a COPAL y a Land Stewardship Project para disfrutar de una tarde con comida deliciosa a la parrilla, música y buena compañía. Unámonos para compartir historias, fortalecer lazos y seguir construyendo una comunidad unida y solidaria. 👉 Cupo limitado, regístrese en el enlace.

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Saturday July 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Saturday July 12
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek's Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters
Farmers Community Park, 23274 Arches Road Lewiston, MN 55952

During the Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters event, the Land Stewardship Project will mark the three-year anniversary of a major fish kill in southeastern Minnesota that spawned citizen action and led to new public policy around how such events are reported. Join Land Stewardship Project and our partners at Farmers Park, Saturday July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lewiston, Minnesota. Register here.

What to expect?

  • Fly fishing demonstration led by Minnesota Trout Unlimted and LSP member, Lee Stoe. Please bring your own fishing gear.

  • Minnesota Trout Unlimited & Izaak Walton League staff and members will be leading macroinvertebrate sampling of Garvin Brook and discussing what they tell us about the health of the stream.

  • Discussion on how regenerative farming systems can support healthy soil and clean water.

  • Opportunity to take action! Help prevent future fish kills by sharing how you think the Minnesot Feedlot Rule, which is open for comment through July 22, should be stronger. Postcards will be available to fill out and send with your comments.

  • Farmers Park is a great spot for birding. Please bring your binoculars!

  • You are welcome to bring your own snacks or picnic lunch; food will not be provided at this event.

LSP is partnering with several community groups for this event, including:

Minnesota Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Izaak Walton League, Food & Water Watch, and Savanna Institute

Register HERE. For more information, contact LSP’s Kate Rowe at krowe@landstewardshipproject.org.

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5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Organic Fruit & Vegetable Field Day
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1805 Dudley Ave, Falcon Heights, MN 55113, USA

Join U of M researchers and Extension for updates on organic fruit and vegetable research and tour the Student Organic Farm and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in Saint Paul. Topics include: organic insect management, integrating livestock into vegetable farms, new crops for Minnesota, irrigation strategies, and more. Free to the public.
 
For details and to register, click here.

Wednesday July 16

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
Wednesday July 16
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Cottonwood County
27092 Co Rd 8, Comfrey, MN 56019, USA

Details here.

Thursday July 17

9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
Thursday July 17
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Russell Hedrick Soil Health Event: Pipestone County
518 30th Ave, Jasper, MN 56182

Details are here.

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  • ‘Fishing, Farming & Food: Rush Creek’s Fish Kill Anniversary & Why it Matters’ Event July 12 Near Lewiston July 8, 2025
  • Contributing to the Cause July 8, 2025
  • Contact the MPCA by July 22 About Revising its Feedlot Rules July 2, 2025
  • Tell Your Representatives: We Want a Farm Bill for All, Not a Tax Break for the Wealthiest July 2, 2025

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