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Buffers

Buffer Information

May contain: ditch, outdoors, field, grassland, nature, grass, plant, and land

August 2015 Ditch Buffer Landowner Letter:

During the 2015 special legislative session, Governor Dayton signed into law a new Buffer Initiative. The new law establishes vegetative buffers on public waters/streams and along county ditches.

The buffer law timeline is as follows:

  • Public waters – buffers established by November 1, 2017
  • Country drainage systems – buffers established by November 1, 2018

Widths for buffers are as follows:

  • County ditches – 16.5’
  • DNR public waters (lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands) – 50’

1. Compliance Tracking of All Parcels Subject to the Buffer Law

All parcels in the Le Sueur county are to be reviewed within a 3 year timeframe. 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.

 2. 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. Le Sueur County will be conduct 5% of parcels in a random spot check every year. Additionally, Le Sueur County will review parcels of emphasis more frequently. These include:

  • 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  
  • Parcels of further emphasis

 3. Process to Handle Complaints

Le Sueur County will review any violation complaints from the public and other agencies. Le Sueur County will maintain a record of this complaint and determine if the complaint requires further investigation. If a violation is found the County will follow the le Sueur County Buffer law Ordinance and notify BWSR.