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SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTANS for ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Welcome to SEMEP's Internet Site We are a non-profit environmental advocacy organization working to protect Southeastern Minnesota's people, natural assets and environment; while promoting sustainable economic development. We hope that your visit will be informative. 1. Donna Rasmussen, the Water Plan Coordinator for Fillmore County's Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), recently discussed the dangers and adverse effect to water tables caused by farmers applying nitrogen, primarily in the form of anhydrous ammonia, onto fields during the fall season. In her comments in the December 3rd issue of the Fillmore County Journal, Rasmussen stated:
"The MDA [Minnesota Department of Agriculture] does not recommend any fall application of nitrogen in southeast Minnesota, which includes all of Fillmore County. The risk of leaching loss of nitrate from fall nitrogen application is heightened in southeastern Minnesota due to the high average annual precipitation, the well drained and permeable nature of the soils, and the presence of karst. Spring pre-plant or sidedress nitrogen applications provide far more efficient use of nitrogen."
Rasmussen believes that "nitrogen concentrations over the safe drinking water standard of 10 parts per million (ppm) are common in the karst aquifers many residents still use as a source of drinking water."
Rasmussen refers readers to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's report on Nitrogen in Minnesota Groundwater which can be found at: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/fertilizers/nitroch4.htm
2. SEMEP has been participating in the re-writing of the Fillmore County Zoning Ordinance. The current Zoning Ordinance was revised 20 years ago, and required considerable policy changes to meet the challenges of rural growth and development today. The Fillmore County Planning Commission had been holding work meetings to recommend new policies for various land uses regulated in the Zoning Ordinance. SEMEP representatives have been working with Planning Commission members to re-write policies regulating campgrounds, planned unit developments, metallic mining, housing subdivisions, housing density, exotic animals and home-based businesses in the rural and agricultural areas of the county.
At the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Fillmore County Board of Commissioners has made considerable policy changes to the Zoning Ordinance, including changes to housing subdivisions, campgrounds, planned unit developments and home-based businesses. Additional review of the Zoning Ordinance continues.
3. 1000 Friends of Minnesota, a conservation organization based in St. Paul, recently published a very useful CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO INFLUENCING LOCAL LAND-USE DECISIONS. This tool helps local residents understand (i) how to be effective and ineffective in influencing land use decisions, (ii) the rules of development, and (iii) environmental review. This resource encourages local residents to get involved in creating a long-term vision for the community. You can review and download a copy of this free publication at www.1000fom.org.
For additional information on these projects, click on our SEMEP Projects page. SEMEP will report on our progress to determine if these projects have a potential adverse environmental impact upon the communities and natural assets in which they are proposed.
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