Receive Update on the New Buffer Initiative Law

As the Board likely knows, there is a new Buffer Initiative law authorized by the Governor.  Section 103F.48 (Riparian Protection and Water Quality Practices) of State Statutes outlines the provisions for this new legislation (attached).  The provisions of the new buffer initiative legislation will require a continuous buffer of perennially rooted vegetation adjacent to all public waters and public drainage systems to help filter out phosphorous, nitrogen, toxicants and other sediment prior to discharge into these water bodies.  The purpose of this case is to provide the Board with background information regarding this new legislation and to outline the initial steps being taken by state agencies.  

The MN DNR is in the process of developing buffer protection maps highlighting the public waters and public ditch systems that will require permanent vegetative buffers.  Preliminary maps are anticipated sometime in late winter or early spring of 2016.  Local units of government will have an opportunity to review the preliminary maps and provide comments to the DNR.  Staff anticipates hosting an open house for the public to review the preliminary maps and submit comments that can be forwarded to the DNR.  The final buffer protection maps are to be approved by the Commissioner of the DNR in the summer of 2016 and distributed to local governments for implementation.

No action is needed, this is for information purposes only.