Clean Water Council presents $310 million recommendations for 2026–27; committee discusses planning and equity

The Minnesota Clean Water Council presented its recommendations for fiscal 2026–27 to the Senate Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy, outlining proposed investments of roughly $310 million for statewide water protection, restoration and drinking‑water source programs.

Council chair John Barton and administrator Paul Gardner described the council’s watershed‑based approach: monitor and assess waters, develop watershed plans that list prioritized actions and estimated costs, then fund projects in the plans to achieve water‑quality standards over multi‑year timelines. Gardner said more watersheds now have “shovel‑ready” projects and the council proposed increased funding for projects identified in completed watershed plans, expanded soil‑health investments, support for private well testing, and a $500,000 tribal grant set‑aside. The council also recommended continued support for drinking water supply management areas and local technical assistance through Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other partners.

Senators asked about technical details and equity. Senator Kunesh sought clarification on how monitoring and assessment results are converted into action; Gardner described the monitoring→assessment→watershed restoration protection strategy (WRAPS) workflow and said each major watershed will have a plan showing prioritized actions and costs. Gardner confirmed agencies consult with tribal governments and noted specific tribal grant programs and cooperative monitoring arrangements; he also said the council has catalogued tribal collaborations in its full report. Senators raised questions about federal funding uncertainty and how Clean Water Fund allocations leverage or replace federal grants; Gardner said the Clean Water Fund both supports core work and is used to leverage federal programs but that uncertainty about federal grants could reduce total leverage.

Committee members asked for data detail on impaired waters and pollutant concentrations. Gardner said staff can provide granular monitoring data and that an impaired‑waters listing signals a standard exceedance—not necessarily an acute toxicity event—and that prioritization focuses on public‑benefit outcomes such as drinking water and recreational uses. The council emphasized long‑term planning across watersheds and urged the legislature to consider the recommendations as a coordinated, science‑based approach to protecting Minnesota’s waters.