In response to a directive from the EPA, Minnesota is addressing nitrate levels in private wells in the southeastern corner of the state. During testimony before the House Agriculture Committee, there was a focus on the karst geology in southeastern Minnesota. Margaret Wagner manages the nonpoint fertilizer section for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and said other parts of the state are also vulnerable to groundwater contamination. “Some of the concerns are in what’s called the central sands region and because of the course textured or sandy soil where there are elevated nitrates. In southwest Minnesota, there’s often shallow depth to bedrock so there’s just not a lot of vertical distance for something to move from that surface into a groundwater aquifer so we see some vulnerability in southwest (Minnesota).” Wagner said the groundwater protection rule has statewide implications. The ag committee will continue to take input on nitrates in the soil at its hearing on Thursday. Environmental groups, farm organizations and ag retailers are all scheduled to testify.
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