The recently signed Environment and Natural Resouces Omnibus Bill contains the following changes to MN's Buffer Law:
- 1) Alternative practices: expanded to include “practices based on local conditions approved by the SWCD that are consistent with the Field Office Technical Guide.”
- 2) Seed mixes need to be verified by MDA (to prevent spread of weeds/invasives like Palmer Ameranth)
- 3) Waivers/extensions can be sought by filing with the SWCD by Nov. 1, 2017 a “parcel-specific riparian protection compliance plan” which gives landowner until July 1, 2018.
4) The bill also contains $2 million per year for counties and watershed districts for enforcement of the buffer law, as well as provisions for how it will be distributed.
Also of interest, Cost-share will be make avaliable to SWCD's to work with landowners on buffer and alternative practice installation. Stay tuned for more details!