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i i <br />history con't <br />As the pilot project drew to a close in <br />1989-90, its success led the state to <br />award the program $3.2 million in the <br />1989 Groundwater Protection Act. <br />The program remained voluntary, but <br />was tied to eligibility for certain ottaer <br />programs as an incentive. <br />By 1991, all 80 greater Minnesota <br />counties were participating. By 1994, <br />they all had state-approved and <br />locally-adopted water plans. <br />A primary reason behind this suc- <br />cess, Lundberg said, was the sense <br />of excitement of the people involved <br />in the program in those early days, <br />Lundberg said. "People were very <br />enthusiastic...) think people were <br />feeling that they were doing some- <br />thing interesting and original and that <br />there was a lot of support," Lundberg <br />said. <br />it would be difficult to overestimate <br />Board of Water and <br />-- Soil Resources <br />One West Water St. <br />Suite 200 <br />St. Paul, MN 55107 <br />the impact the program has had on <br />the state, she added. Before the <br />program, local entities were alt <br />working individually on their own <br />projects, but they had no unified <br />plan or approach. "In politics, if you <br />fragment your voice, you have no <br />voice,' Lundberg observed. <br />Water Ilne up and running <br />A pilot project in northeast <br />Minnesota helps link Minnesota <br />citizens and decision makers to <br />expert advice and professional <br />assistance on water issues. <br />'Really, I think it changed the <br />direction of water management in <br />Minnesota,' she said. "It made local <br />government a real partner." <br />the <br />Conservation Mentor <br />Executive Director: Ron Harnack <br />Newsletter: Susan Tsakakis <br />612/296-3767 <br />~ TDD: 612!297-5353 <br />1-800-627-3529 <br />BWSR is an equal opportunity <br />~.TEVE GATLIN/C. AHL <br />~~RASI:~ LAt:E Wh1~! <br />iE.,;C~ GIVIC CENTER DRIVE <br />liis~EVILLE, MN 5511~~ <br />Specialists staffing the new Water <br />Line-1-800-455-4526-can answer <br />questions about household water <br />supply; water wells; septic systems; <br />concerns with aquifer protection and <br />water supply; and other items. <br />The water line is available in Carlton, <br />Chisage, Cook, Isanti, Itasca, <br />Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Mille <br />Lacs, Pine and St. Louis counties. <br />The Water Line is open weekdays <br />from 9 a.m. to noon. <br />The Water Line is operated as a <br />partnership of the American Ground <br />Water Trust and the Minnesota <br />Extension Service. <br /> <br />