Clean water fund appropriation for a southeast regional groundwater protection and soil health initiative

This bill appropriates funds from Minnesota's Clean Water Fund to create a new southeast regional initiative focused on protecting groundwater and improving soil health. It directly affects soil and water conservation districts in 11 southeast counties (Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona), providing grants to support specific projects. Key provisions include funding for cover crop programs, alternative crops, and pasture enhancements to reduce fertilizer leaching into groundwater, immobilize excess nitrogen, and prevent soil erosion. The initiative allows conservation districts to make subgrants for projects aligned with the Olmsted County program.