Southeast regional groundwater protection and soil health initiative appropriation

This bill appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2026-2027 to support a new southeast Minnesota groundwater and soil health initiative. It directs the Board of Water and Soil Resources to provide grants to soil and water conservation districts in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties. The funds will support projects to reduce nutrient pollution in groundwater, immobilize unused nitrogen, and prevent soil erosion. Conservation districts can use the grants to make subgrants for cover crop programs, alternative crops, and pasture enhancement initiatives aligned with the existing Olmsted County program.