Temperatures will continue to fall over the next few days

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

May 22, 7:15 a.m. | Posted: May 21, 5:28 p.m.

Lawn watering restrictions are being delayed by at least a year in White Bear Lake and surrounding communities. 

 that prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from enforcing 

 conservation measures. After first saying he was allowing the bill to become law without his signature, Gov. Mark Dayton decided to sign it Monday night because he didn't want it to fall victim to a pocket veto. 

8 bills our environment reporters are watching at the Capitol

What lawmakers got done, what they didn't and what's next?


The White Bear Lake Restoration Association 

, alleging the agency allowed overpumping from municipal wells, and that caused record low lake levels. 

 after several years of heavy precipitation. But association President Greg McNeely said continued pumping will deplete it again.


"Everybody's got an opinion, but science is science, and if you look at these studies, it's overwhelming. It's hard to argue against it," McNeely said.

White Bear Lake City Council member Bill Walsh favors the legislation, and is confident 


"The science isn't good. It's not reliable," Walsh said. "I think a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals will take a fresh look at that and a fresh look at the data, and frankly some new data, and I think we'll do well on the appeal."

Environmental News

Politics and Government News

NewsPartners

Matt Sepic

Author

Last week state lawmakers approved a bipartisan measure that prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from enforcing court-ordered conservation measures in White Bear Lake and surrounding communities.

New law delays water conservation measures in northeast metro

Go Deeper.

Like this?