Judge: DNR allowed over-pumping of White Bear Lake's aquifer
![Receding water levels](https://img.apmcdn.org/d17b22f7cd0d50e74e63104c1d2218380e76ffeb/uncropped/11fb38-20130701-20110928whitebear01.jpg)
Like this?
Log in to share your opinion with MPR News and add it to your profile.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
A Ramsey County judge Wednesday issued a stinging rebuke to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources over its management of White Bear Lake.
The east metro lake dropped to a record low in 2013, prompting a lawsuit by citizens' groups. They argued the over-pumping of groundwater from an aquifer connected to the lake was to blame.
Judge Margaret Marrinan agreed. Among other things, she ordered the DNR to review all groundwater permits within five miles of White Bear Lake to determine whether pumping is sustainable.
She also said the DNR must enforce a residential lawn watering ban when the lake drops below a certain level, and require well owners to have contingency plans for switching to surface water.
Support the News you Need
Gifts from individuals keep MPR News accessible to all - free of paywalls and barriers.
Marrinan notes that heavy rain this year has raised lake levels, but that doesn't change the fact that groundwater pumping still has a negative long-term impact.
The DNR released a statement saying it was surprised and disappointed in the judge's order.
"It will take some time for us to complete our review of the 140-page opinion and to understand the basis for, and the implications of, the ruling, including any possible next steps," the statement read. "The DNR remains committed to the science-based use of its authorities and resources to achieve sustainable water management in the North and East Metro and throughout Minnesota."