Given the controversy — and compromise — Gov. Mark Dayton’s “buffer strips” proposal created on its way to becoming law, it’s not surprising implementation is creating a similar buzz.

The Associated Press reported Sept. 28 that state officials’ efforts to start executing the legislation is being met with questions, concerns and confusion from landowners and farmers. (No wonder the plan, approved in the last session, allows three years until full implementation.)

As these efforts continue and questions arise, it’s important to remember the top priority of the law: Improve water quality through the creation of perennial vegetation buffers of up to 50 feet along rivers, streams and ditches.

Research has proven such strips help filter out phosphorus, nitrogen and sediment, all of which contribute to poor water quality and ultimately can make waterways unusable. Couple that with the amount of natural habitat Minnesota has seen converted to farmland the past decade, and it’s easy to see why buffer strips will play such a critical role in the long-term future of Minnesota’s natural resources.

 

Where do they go?

Statewide mapping to determine locations for buffer strips is expected to take until July. As the AP report noted, that effort already has raised questions about private ditches. While the law requires a minimum buffer of 161/2 feet on public ditches, debate has arisen about private ditches.

The law does state buffer widths on other waters will be determined by soil and water conservation districts and that it can extend to “ditches within the benefited area of public drainage systems.” However, some farmers and landowners see that as an overreach.

Should those ditches be buffered? Answers should be made on a case-by-case basis and answered based on the top priority of the law — improving water quality.

 

Stay tuned

Finally, it’s important to realize the size and scope of this effort. It calls for spending at least $22 million to establish buffers totaling at least 110,000 acres statewide.

Four state entities are involved — the Department of Natural Resource, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the state Agriculture Department and the Pollution Control Agency. They are working closely with many other stakeholders involved in agriculture, conservation, water quality and the like.

While those viewpoints won’t always agree, it is critical all parties stand willing to work through differences and find reasonable compromises in applying this much-needed law.

For more information on the buffer strip plan, visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/buffers/index.html orhttp://bwsr.state.mn.us/buffers/.

 

— St. Cloud Times, Oct. 1