R.D. Offutt Farms is going to court to challenge the new White Earth Nation water ordinance. This ordinance gives the tribe jurisdiction over all water use on the reservation and within five miles of the reservation. It applies to non-tribal members, private landowners and all water users who have existing water permits from the State of Minnesota. The White Earth permitting fees are 30 times more expensive the Minnesota DNR permits and the approval process could take up to three years to complete. The lawsuit claims the White Earth Nation has adopted an ‘unproven regulatory system that will impact Minnesota farmers.’
