The Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) will submit a formal response to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regarding the petition for rulemaking filed on August 28, 2025. The petition seeks to classify public drainage systems as “State Disposal Systems” (SDS) requiring MPCA permits under Chapter 115 of Minnesota Statutes.
ADMC’s response emphasizes that agricultural drainage is clearly governed under Minnesota Statute Chapter 103E, which designates local drainage authorities—counties and watershed districts—to oversee drainage systems. Chapter 115, which regulates sewage and industrial wastewater, has never applied to agricultural drainage, and doing so would conflict with decades of legal precedent and legislative intent.
In the response, ADMC notes that public drainage systems are vital components of Minnesota’s water management infrastructure—providing safe, resilient, and dependable water conveyance for both rural and urban areas while supporting agricultural productivity and reducing surface runoff.
ADMC also highlights recent research showing that tile drainage has limited influence on major flood events, with precipitation being the dominant driver of increased streamflow. The letter urges MPCA to continue focusing on science-based, voluntary, and collaborative solutions to improve water quality, such as multipurpose drainage management (MDM) practices that combine water management with conservation benefits.
ADMC encourages the state to:
- Increase funding for MDM to meet growing demand;
- Expand eligibility for innovative engineering solutions;
- Align funding timelines with large-scale drainage project cycles; and
- Strengthen partnerships among watershed districts, agencies, and landowners.
ADMC respectfully requests that the MPCA deny the petition for rulemaking and continue to support collaborative, funded approaches that enhance both agricultural productivity and water quality.
Read ADMC’s full response letter [linked here]