Subdivision 1. Authorization. The commissioner may issue chemigation permits for irrigation to be used to apply fertilizers on crops and land, including agricultural, nursery, turf, golf course, and greenhouse sites.

Subd. 2. Permit required. A person may not apply fertilizers through an irrigation system without a chemigation permit from the commissioner. A chemigation permit is required for one or more wells or other sources of irrigation water that are protected from contamination by the same devices as required by rule.

Subd. 3. Application. (a) A person must apply for a chemigation permit on forms prescribed by the commissioner.

(b) A person initially applying for a chemigation permit must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $50. A person who holds a valid pesticide chemigation permit as required in chapter 18B is exempt from the fee in this subdivision.

Subd. 4. Permit requirements. An irrigation system operating under a chemigation permit must be fitted with effective antisiphon devices or check valves that prevent the backflow of fertilizers or fertilizer-water mixtures into water supplies or other materials during times of irrigation system failure or equipment shutdown. The devices or valves must be installed between:

(1) the irrigation system pump or other source discharge and the point of fertilizer injection; and

(2) the point of fertilizer injection and the fertilizer supply.

Subd. 5. Rules. The commissioner shall adopt rules prescribing conditions and restrictions for applying fertilizers by irrigation.

History: 1989 c 326 art 6 s 11; 1990 c 597 s 5