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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources <br />DNR Waters, 1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106 <br />Telephone: (651) 772-7910 Fax: (651) 772-7977 <br />December 26, 2006 <br />Ron Bratlie <br />Director of Business Operations <br />Elk River Area Public Schools; I.S.D. #728 <br />815 Highway 10 <br />Elk River, MN 55330-2549 <br />RE: School Grounds Irrigation Issue; City of Elk River <br />Dear Mr. Bratlie: <br />I understand that you have had discussions with Area Hydrologist Roger Stradal about the <br />potential use of a former crop irrigation well to irrigate school lawn areas in the City of Elk <br />River. As you are aware, we have also received a letter from the City of Elk River expressing <br />concern about such plans. <br />As the District considers the use of existing wells or new wells to irrigate school grounds, please <br />be aware of the following potential issues: <br />1. Any use of water exceeding 1 million gallons per year and/or 10,000 gallons per day <br />requires a water use permit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). <br />2. Minnesota Statutes, Section103G.271, Subd. 2, requires that a water use permit cannot be <br />issued unless it is consistent with all local plans. As you are aware, the City of Elk River <br />has advised us that City Ordinances and policy requires use of the municipal water supply <br />system for all water use, if it is available. It is unlikely that we could approve a water use <br />permit for the District, if the City objects. <br />The City of Elk River has adopted and the state has approved a Wellhead Protection Plan. <br />The City advises us that the well the District is considering using for irrigation may not be <br />consistent with that Plan. If this is true, the DNR could not issue a water use permit to <br />the District for use of the old irrigation well and the Department of Health could not issue <br />any permit to construct or improve such an irrigation well. <br />4. The City advises us that they have plans to construct a new major water supply well <br />within a few hundred yards of the well the District is considering using for irrigation. It is <br />likely that the old irrigation well would affect the capacity of the proposed water supply <br />DNR Information: 651-296-6157 1-888-646-6367 TTY: 651-296-5484 I-800-657-3929 <br />An Equal Opportunity Employer <br />Who Values Diversity <br />~~. Printed on Recycled Paper Containing a <br />~~r. Minimum of 10°la Post-Consumer Waste <br />