In April, the DNR approved pumping twice as much water from a well 200 feet closer to Fourmile Creek. Under DNR policy there was no review of impacts to the stream.

Buena Vista Creek is a Class I trout stream that has also been ranked by the state as an “exceptional resource water“ because it carries few pollutants. In 2015, DNR staff said potential harm to the creek’s headwaters needed to be evaluated before any wells were approved. After the policy change and without evaluation, a well that could withdraw 1.4 million gallons a day was approved 1,300 feet from the water. The court order sent it back to the DNR.

This year, the DNR approved pumping of 1.4 million gallons a day from a well 1,300 feet from the creek. Agency staff noted the well would probably impact the creek’s headwaters and a wetland, but no analysis was conducted.

Stoltenburg Creek is also Class I for trout and an exceptional resource. In 2015, DNR staff determined it was already being impaired by existing wells, and no new pumping should be approved.

After the policy change, though, three wells between 6,000 and 13,000 feet away were approved for a total 3.5 million gallons a day. They were invalidated by the court order, but in March the DNR approved a well that can pump 1.2 million gallons a day 5,700 feet from the creek.

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