ST.PAUL, MINN. (KFGO-AM) - DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr says the hold placed on conversion of forests to potato fields in Northwestern Minnesota is about groundwater quality and quanity.
Fargo based R.D. Offut Company has purchased 12,000 acres of pine forests with plans to clear and convert them into irrigated farmland. Landwehr told KFGO's Mike McFeely the concern is about the number of irrigation wells required. He says the company has obtained permits for 32 wells and has applications pending for 54 more.
He says if done poorly, that amount of pumping can have a very negative impact on groundwater. He says the pause is a chance to see if the project is sustainable.
A planned environmental review could take a year to complete.