News

Buffer Law cost-share funds available

Cost-share funds are now available for Minnesota landowners to assist them in complying with the Buffer Law.

Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR, pronounced bowser) buffer and soil erosion program coordinator Tom Gile says the nearly $5 million dollars allocated by the Legislature will be distributed through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s).

“Approximately half of the money is going to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) area of the state, so that’s one tool that is available.  But (the Legislature) also wanted to make sure that half of the money would also be available to portions of the state where CREP is not an eligible program right now.”

He tells Brownfield the SWCD’s are in the process of finalizing grant agreements so landowners can have access to those funds.

With Buffer Law enforcement of public waters scheduled to begin this November first and a year later for public ditches, Guile estimates about 90 percent are already compliant.

“I think a number of the folks who are still sitting back are doing so probably strategically, both to make sure they really understood what the requirements of the law were going to be coming out of this Legislative Session.  And wanting to be aware of any additional resources that came into play.”

Guile is referring landowners interested in the cost-share program to their local SWCD, and says to expect delays as this one time appropriation gets rolled out.