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" rater BilllBoard <br />U1latershed district changes <br />S$c~rrn~rater util9 fees <br />The BWSR is pursuing changes in legislation <br />that would allow watershed districts to estab- <br />lish stormwater utility fees. Districts would <br />then be able to establish sub-watershed <br />management areas (within the watershed <br />district boundaries) to define properties that <br />would be charged a fee for stormwater and <br />water quality projects and activities. <br />This change will provide watershed districts <br />with amuck-needed alternative #o using <br />assessments to pay for stormwater and water <br />quality activities. Demands on watershed <br />districts for these types of activities and <br />programs have increased in recent years due <br />to escalating urbanization and environmental <br />regulation. <br />For more mformat~on, contact Ray Bohn, <br />Minnesota Association of Watershed Dis- <br />tricts, 612-452-8506. <br />The number is answered Monday through <br />Friday from 9 a.m. until noon. Cooperating in <br />the venture are the Minnesota Board of <br />Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota <br />Extension Service, the Minnesota Pollution <br />Control Agency, the Minnesota Department <br />of Natural Resources, St. Louis County, and <br />the private sector. <br />The number is 1-800-455-4526. <br />From the <br />Department of <br />Natural <br />Resources <br />(DNR)... <br />Grid Drilling Program <br />innesota ~1laterline ~ -800- <br />455-4526 <br />The Minnesota Waterline has gone state- <br />wide! This toil-free line can be used to an- <br />swer awide variety of water-related ques- <br />tions, including: <br />•septic system siting, design and <br />maintenance <br />•aquifer protection, water supply, <br />lakes, rivers and wetlands <br />•the safety of your household water <br />supply <br />•water well design, construction and <br />operation , <br />•drinking water <br />The 1995 Legislature funded the Grid Drilling <br />Program to search for and characterize <br />aquifers with water supply potential in south- <br />western Minnesota where wa#er supplies are <br />difficult to locate. The project will be carried <br />out by contracting with water well drillers for <br />exploratory drilling of test holes. DNR Divi- <br />sion of Waters staff will log the drill holes as <br />they are made. <br />The one-time appropriation of $50,000 from <br />the General Fund requires a match of an <br />equal amount of money from non-state <br />sources. The total amount of money <br />{$100,000) will support drilling about 20 test <br />holes at a cost of $5,000 per hole (price <br />includes sealing of test holes). Several <br />meetings have been held with local interests, <br />the Minnesota Geological Survey, and the <br />4 <br />