The Minnesota DNR has the authority to regulate the reclamation of lands within the state where many types of natural resource development takes place, including ferrous and nonferrous minerals,[JR1.1][IW1.2] industrial minerals, and peat resources. In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature gave DNR regulatory authority for the reclamation of gas resource development projects and required DNR to write associated rules.
Delegated authority to regulate reclamation of gas resource development projects includes, but is not limited to, permitting, inspection, and research. Reclamation is performed in order to:
Control possible adverse environmental effects of gas production
Preserve natural resources
Encourage beneficial use of gas resource development areas once production ends
Promote the orderly development of gas resource development
Encourage good gas resource development practices
Permitting
The DNR is currently writing rules under expedited procedures that will delineate permitting procedures and responsibilities, including (but not limited to):
Processing Gas Resource Development Permit applications;
Ensuring that proposed projects protect the correlative interests of landowners within the development area through application and pooling and spacing rules;
Issuing Gas Resource Development Permits;
Reviewing annual reports and operating plans for conformance to permit requirements;
Reviewing and assessing plans for financial assurance and verifying reclamation cost estimates;
Reviewing and administering permit amendment proposals;
Reviewing deactivation and closure plans; and
Evaluating operations for reclamation release.