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Buffer Legislation:
Buffer Legislation:
In 2015, Governor Dayton signed into law a new buffer initiative aimed at enhancing protection of Minnesota’s waters. The buffer law will help protect the state’s water resources from erosion and runoff pollution by establishing roughly 110,000 acres of buffer along waterways while providing flexibility and technical support to landowners for installation and maintenance.
In 2015, Governor Dayton signed into law a new buffer initiative aimed at enhancing protection of Minnesota’s waters. The buffer law will help protect the state’s water resources from erosion and runoff pollution by establishing roughly 110,000 acres of buffer along waterways while providing flexibility and technical support to landowners for installation and maintenance.
What is a buffer?
What is a buffer?
A buffer, also known as a filter strip, is vegetated land adjacent to a stream, river, lake or wetland. Buffers help filter out phosphorus, nitrogen and sediment, and are an important conservation practice for keeping water clean.
A buffer, also known as a filter strip, is vegetated land adjacent to a stream, river, lake or wetland. Buffers help filter out phosphorus, nitrogen and sediment, and are an important conservation practice for keeping water clean.
What is required?
What is required?
Under the law, buffer widths are:
Under the law, buffer widths are:
- An average of 50 feet, minimum of 30 feet, on Public Waters
- A minimum of 16.5 feet on Public Ditches
- Or alternative practices- applies to both Public Waters & Public Ditches
What’s the timeline?
What’s the timeline?
The law specifies:
The law specifies:
- November 1, 2017: Buffers in place on all Public Waters
- November 1, 2018: Buffers in place on all Public Ditches
Exemptions/areas not requiring buffers:
Exemptions/areas not requiring buffers:
- Roads, trails, buildings & structures
- Inundated crops, alfalfa, enrolled in CRP
- Tile line installation & maintenance
- “No-fault” clause to address acts of nature
- No buffer needed: Lawns, forests, hayed land & other areas with perennial vegetation
How will the program work?
How will the program work?
MN Board of Water & Soil Resources, which oversees the law, is working to get program details developed. SWCDs will provide technical assistance and answer questions about financial assistance options. Landowners can also work with SWCDs to determine if other alternative practices can be used. SWCDs will provide correction letters when noncompliance is identified.
MN Board of Water & Soil Resources, which oversees the law, is working to get program details developed. SWCDs will provide technical assistance and answer questions about financial assistance options. Landowners can also work with SWCDs to determine if other alternative practices can be used. SWCDs will provide correction letters when noncompliance is identified.
Is there financial assistance available?
Is there financial assistance available?
Yes. Buffer Law relies on federal, state and local programs to provide financial and technical support to landowners to implement buffers or alternative practices. Landowners can use Farm Bill resources, such as Continuous CRP and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to get buffers installed. State resources include programs such as Conservation Cost-Share and RIM easements.
Yes. Buffer Law relies on federal, state and local programs to provide financial and technical support to landowners to implement buffers or alternative practices. Landowners can use Farm Bill resources, such as Continuous CRP and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to get buffers installed. State resources include programs such as Conservation Cost-Share and RIM easements.
How do I know if buffers are required?
How do I know if buffers are required?
Buffer protection maps were completed in July 2016:
Buffer protection maps were completed in July 2016:
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