Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Matt Sepic

New law delays water conservation measures in northeast metro

White Bear Lake
Boats sit on White Bear Lake on Saturday, August 22, 2015.
Caroline Yang for MPR 2015

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

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.

Last week, state lawmakers approved a bipartisan measure that prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from enforcing court-ordered 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.

The White Bear Lake Restoration Association sued the DNR in 2012, alleging the agency allowed overpumping from municipal wells, and that caused record low lake levels.

The lake rebounded 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 an appeals court will reverse the ruling.

"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."