Comment Period on Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule Ends August 25

St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s public comment period on the draft Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule ends Friday, August 25, 2017. The purpose of the proposed Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule is to minimize the potential for nitrate-nitrogen contamination from fertilizer in the state's groundwater and drinking water.

“Gathering public input and hearing from those who may be impacted by the proposed regulation is an important part of the rule-making process,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson. “I thank all those who have already submitted their comments and encourage others to submit theirs now.”

The draft rule and instructions for submitting comments can be viewed online at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/nfr.

All comments regarding the proposed rule must be submitted in writing. After consideration of comments received, the MDA expects to publish a final draft of the rule in December. The rule is expected to be adopted in the fall of 2018.

Written comments on the draft Nitrogen Fertilizer Rule should be mailed and postmarked or emailed no later than close of business Friday, August 25, 2017 to:

Larry Gunderson

Fertilizer Technical Unit Supervisor

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

625 Robert Street North

St. Paul, MN, 55155-2538

larry.gunderson@state.mn.us

All comments should, but are not required to, include a contact name, phone number and/or email address to provide for follow-up discussion on specific comments.