Resolution 01-15 Adoption of Buffer Initiative
Resolution 02-17 Adopt Summary of Watercourses for inclusion in Local Water Management Plan
Download Conservation Buffer Brochure
Learn more about Implementing Minnesota's Buffer Initiative-Department of Natural Resources Website
Conservation Buffers Information on Board of Water and Soil Resources Website
BUFFER UPDATES
The Buffer Law was signed by Governor Mark Dayton in 2015 requiring perennial vegetation buffers to be installed along lakes, rivers, streams, and public drainage ditches. These buffers are designed to help filter out phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment as well as provide wildlife habitat.
SWCD’s across the state of Minnesota have been working with landowners on installation of these buffers or review of the parcels for implementing alternative practices. In Pope County approximately 4,445 parcels were reviewed initially with aerial imagery. If a violation of buffer law is found; the Pope SWCD will be informing the enforcing agency and the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Any appeals will be handled by the regulatory entity with the Pope SWCD staff providing technical information regarding the buffer law and the project site. It will depend on where the public water or drainage ditch is located on who the enforcing entity is. In Pope County it is either Pope County Land and Resource Management Office, North Fork Crow River Watershed District, or the Sauk River Watershed District.
Reminder to farmers/landowners that with spring tillage ahead, to communicate if you have a buffer on your field and not to till it up. If you have questions regarding your buffer, please contact Nicole Brede in our office at 320-634-5327.
BENEFITS OF BUFFERS
Conservation buffers are strips of perennial vegetation around rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands that slow water runoff thus reduces soil erosion, sequesters excess nutrients, stabilizes riparian areas, and enhances water quality. Buffers include contour buffer strips, field borders, grassed filter strips, grassed waterways, living snow fences, riparian buffers, shelterbelts/windbreaks, and wetlands.
Benefits of conservation buffers include:
- Slow water runoff
- Remove up to 50% or more nutrients and pesticides in runoff
- Remove up to 60% or more pathogens in runoff
- Remove up to 75% or more of sediment in runoff
- Reduce noise and odor
- Serve as a source of food, nesting cover, and shelter for wildlife
- Stabilize streambanks and reduce water temperature in stream
- Reduce downstream flooding
- Reduced risk of tractor rollover due to set back of steep ditch or creek
If you are interested in buffering any waterways on your property, you can stop into our office for more information on programs and available financial assistance.
MONITORING PLAN
§103F.48 RIPARIAN PROTECTION AND WATER QUALITY PRACTICES
- COMPLIANCE TRACKING OF ALL PARCELS SUBJECT TO THE BUFFER LAW
- All parcels in the county are to be reviewed within a 3‐year timeframe. The SWCD will review all parcels once every 3 years. This will coincide with the new aerial imagery received by the Farm Service Agency. Google Earth may also be utilized or the Counties Pictometry Imagery.
- RANDOM SPOT CHECKS
- Random spot checks will be done in addition to the tracking of all parcels within a 3‐year span. These checks may be conducted via aerial photo review or on‐site review depending on availability of updated aerial photos and the practice that is being checked/access to farms. A combination of both aerial and on‐site review may also be used.
- The SWCD will conduct 25‐50 parcels on a random spot check each year outside of the scheduled area.
- Note: ** There are approximately 4,445 applicable parcels in Pope County.
- Additionally, the SWCD should review parcels of emphasis more frequently.
- Previously non‐compliant
- No‐till/Conservation tillage or cover crop alternative practice plans
- Variable width buffers (i.e. Land O’ Lakes buffer tool, Decision Support Tool)
- Other Alternative Practice Plans
- Cost‐share funded projects (years 1,5,9 of contract)
- Parcels of further emphasis (potential violators)
- PROCESS TO HANDLE COMPLAINTS
- Pope SWCD will investigate public complaints related to buffer law compliance but documenting the compliant including, location, landowner, potential violation, etc. Pope SWCD will then further investigate the compliant by aerial review, landowner calls, and field site checks.
- If a violation of buffer law non‐compliance is found Pope SWCD will inform the enforcing agency (Pope Land and Resource Management, North Fork Crow River Watershed District or Sauk River Watershed District) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources. A non‐compliance form will be filled out along with a map of the parcel and will be provided to the enforcing entity for follow up with the landowner.
- Appeals will be handled by the regulatory entity with Pope SWCD staff providing technical information regarding the buffer law and the project site as requested.
For more information contact Pope SWCD at 320-634-5327.