Governor Pawlenty proposes to set aside 100,000 acres to protect water quality
Quarter billion dollar initiative will support MN's "crown jewel," clean water

Provided by Governor Tim Pawlenty's office

October 13, 2003 - Saint Paul - Saying clean water is the "crown jewel" of Minnesota's great outdoors, Governor Tim Pawlenty today proposed a quarter billion dollar initiative to set aside 100,000 acres of land near environmentally sensitive waterways. The Governor's proposal, the centerpiece of his clean water initiative unveiled in June, would expand the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) in Minnesota to dramatically reduce runoff into the state's rivers, streams, wetlands and groundwater.

"Minnesota is the land of lakes and the region of rivers - water is our way of life," said Governor Pawlenty. "We have more fresh water than any other state in the continental United States. Protecting and restoring this crown jewel of our quality of life should be our number one environmental priority."

The next phase of the CREP program in Minnesota will target three areas of the state, the Governor said. The proposal - which will be submitted to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman this week - focuses on restoring 42,500 acres in the Red River Watershed in the northwest, 42,500 acres in the Lower Mississippi Watershed in the southeast and 15,000 acres in the Missouri River Watershed in southwest Minnesota.

"After witnessing the algae that pervades the waters in the southeast, the soil erosion that harms the Red River in the northwest and the deteriorating wetlands that jeopardize wildlife in southwest Minnesota, it was clear that all three of these areas need help," Governor Pawlenty said. "I am pleased that moving forward with the CREP initiative will allow us to begin restoring these lands and significantly improve the quality of water, soil and wildlife."

CREP is a voluntary federal-state-local program that works with farmers and ranchers to set aside marginal agricultural lands along waterways to enhance wildlife habitats, improve water quality, reduce erosion and sedimentation and reduce the impacts of recurrent flooding.

In July, Governor Pawlenty visited Windom, Austin and Crookston to listen to detailed proposals from each group. After careful consideration and extensive feedback from local leaders, conservation groups and agricultural organizations, the Governor chose to include all three areas in the final CREP proposal to the federal government.

Once the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has received Minnesota's proposal, the final details will be negotiated and agreed upon by both the state and the USDA. Farmers can begin voluntarily signing up to put their land in the program as early as March 2004. Landowners will have the choice of a 35-year or perpetual easement.

"The CREP program is a win-win for all Minnesotans," Governor Pawlenty said. "Not only does the program give farmers adequate flexibility and compensation for their land, it will enhance the quality of our natural resources to ensure that everyone can enjoy them for years to come."

The program combines the federal Conservation Reserve Program with Minnesota's Reinvest in Minnesota Reserve Program to fund the conservation of the 100,000 acres of land, the maximum allowable under the federal program. Nearly $200 million in federal money combined with $46 million from the state will fully fund the effort. Governor Pawlenty has committed to seeking $23 million in funding for the CREP program in both the 2004 and 2006 bonding bills.

"One of the best ways to protect Minnesota's water quality is to prevent runoff, the Governor said. "CREP has been a phenomenal success because it gives farmers the flexibility and tools they need to idle and restore marginally productive lands."

As a legislator, Governor Pawlenty was a co-author of Minnesota's first generation of CREP, which has helped improve water quality in the Minnesota River by targeting 100,000 acres in that basin. Over the course of the project, 5.8 pounds of phosphorus was reduced from each acre of land set aside for conservation, and sediment reduction to the Minnesota River amounted to 4.7 tons per acre each year. Wildlife experts have documented significant benefits to deer, turkey and pheasant populations, as well as non-game species.

Earlier this summer, the Governor outlined an aggressive clean water agenda for Minnesota. In addition to CREP, it includes a significant refocusing of clean water initiatives to maximize their value in watersheds with the most need, establishment of the State's first-ever "Clean Water Cabinet" to make clean water a top priority of state government, and an undertaking to make the mighty Mississippi River swimable and fishable again.

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