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MCGA Leadership: Stop spreading myths about the Groundwater Protection Rule

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Last week, the proposed Groundwater Protection Rule was finally released for farmers to review and comment. While the rule has only recently been the focus of disdain from some in Minnesota agriculture, it has been in the making for nearly 30 years with significant input from agricultural organizations along the way.

Suffice to say, the Groundwater Protection Rule is not going away.

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) has been involved with the development of the rule, and will continue to advocate for and address the concerns of corn farmers; growers who actually use nitrogen on their crops. To ensure this inevitable rule addresses those concerns, MCGA has submitted five letters of comment on previous versions of the rule. MCGA grower leaders have also worked closely with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to further communicate why certain changes to the rule are necessary.

Throughout this process, it is imperative that we are factually correct and scientifically accurate in our critique and comments. With that, it is important we address false information that is being dispersed about the rule. No member of Minnesota’s ag community benefits from the spreading of myths.

First, the proposed Groundwater Protection Rule only pertains to groundwater. MDA only has authority to regulate agricultural chemicals, including nitrogen fertilizer, as it relates to groundwater. Therefore, any references to surface water data, maps, impaired waters and more are irrelevant as it pertains to this rule.

Secondly, part two of the proposed rule related to mitigation in areas where high nitrate concentrations are found only pertains to Drinking Water Supply Management Areas (DWSMAs). The testing of township and private wells has been removed from the rule, and all testing will only take place under strict federal standards using public water supply wells. Any inflammatory concerns around the testing procedure, including and especially those concerning testing in outdated wells, is misguided and a moot point.

Third, there are about 30 DWSMAs with elevated nitrate levels in Minnesota. In many of these DWSMAs, the underlying geology and soils are such that nitrates can potentially travel through the unsaturated zone to groundwater aquifers in days to weeks. Any statements that these areas are impacted due to farming practices from more than 30 years ago are not applicable in these instances.

Lastly, the proposed rule gives credit to precision agriculture methods that can be used for the precise, variable, and site-specific application of nitrogen fertilizer. Many of these practices are already widely implemented on farms, so it is crucial that the rule credits the many farmers who have long focused on nitrogen use efficiency.

Minnesota’s corn growers have until July 26 to review and comment on the rule. It is vital for Minnesota agriculture that MCGA and corn farmers provide comment to ensure the rule accomplishes its goal of protecting water while making sense in implementation. MCGA and its grower leaders are carefully reviewing the nearly 400 pages of the rule and the technical supporting documents, and will be providing comments in the coming weeks.

Now is not the time to spread inaccurate information that accomplishes nothing more than delegitimizing and dividing the voice of Minnesota agriculture. The overall quality of our groundwater is a legitimate concern, and we hope all of Minnesota’s corn growers join us in being part of the solution.

Thank you,

Kirby Hettver, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Brian Thalmann, first vice president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Les Anderson, treasurer of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Tim Waibel, secretary of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association

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