News Release – July 20, 2017
MDA extends comment period on proposed nitrogen fertilizer regulation Public input sought at meetings scheduled in Northwestern Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has extended the public comment period for its draft proposal for the use of nitrogen fertilizer in Minnesota. The purpose of the proposed Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule is to minimize the potential for nitrate-nitrogen contamination from fertilizer in the state’s groundwater and drinking water. Public comments will now be accepted through Friday, August 25, 2017.
“We’ve heard from farmers, commodity groups, and other leaders in our ag industry that more time is needed for them to weigh in on this proposal,” said MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson. “We need their input and we’re going to make that extension. We’re also going to hold additional meetings in Northwestern Minnesota at the request of ag leaders and members of the public in that region.”
Public listening sessions on the draft rule will be held at the following locations:
| Location | Date | Time |
| Roseau:
Roseau Civic Center |
Wed. July 26 |
6:30 pm |
| Warren:
Warren Community Center 110 West Johnson Avenue Warren, MN 56762 |
Thurs. July 27 |
8:30 am |
| Hawley:
Hawley High School 714 Joseph Street |
Thurs. July 27 |
7:00 pm |
How to participate in public comment process: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/fertilizers/nutrient-mgmt/nitrogenplan/mitigation/wrpr/wrprprocess/publicparticipation.aspx
Written comments on the draft Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule should be submitted by Friday August 25, 2017 via mail or email to: Larry Gunderson Fertilizer Technical Unit Supervisor Minnesota Department of Agriculture 625 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN, 55155-2538. Email: larry.gunderson@state.mn.us
All comments regarding the proposed rule must be submitted in writing. After consideration of comments received, the MDA expects to publish the final draft of the rule in the fall of 2017. The rule is expected to be adopted in the fall of 2018.
All comments should, but are not required to, include a contact name, phone number and/or email address to provide for follow-up discussion on specific comments.
Media Contact: Margaret Hart, Communications Director, 651-201-6131, margaret.hart@state.mn.us