Minnesota Supreme Court to review Renville County drainage projects ruling

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court says it will review a ruling by the Minnesota Court of Appeals that provided environmental protections for Renville County’s last free-flowing stream.

The October appeals court decision called for an environmental review to determine whether a proposed drainage ditch improvement could harm the stream in the heavily agricultural county.

The dispute involves proposed improvements to a century-old ditch that empties into the upper reaches of Limbo Creek. Backers say the project would lead to better drainage of farmland in the area. The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy says the appeals court’s ruling sets a precedent that means any drainage project across the state that affects public water will require an environmental review.