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Buffer Law concerns aired at farmer forum near Waseca

Farmers are voicing their concerns about the impending Buffer Rule at a Waseca County forum in south central Minnesota.

With implementation and enforcement of Buffer requirements for public waters set to begin November first, and a year later for drainage ditches, officials with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), University of Minnesota, and Minnesota Department of Ag are discussing how the law impacts farmers.

Questions about who has authority over various aspects of the Rule are coming up, including its statutes and potential alterations.

Tom Gile, buffer and soil erosion program coordinator for BWSR, says the state legislature alone can make statutory changes.

Lawmakers are looking to further clarify the rule this session.

Gile also says the Buffer Rule is not and should not be a condemnation of the agriculture industry. He adds many farmers have voluntarily implemented conservation practices for decades.

A presentation on the Forever Green initiative is planned for later today, as well as details on Minnesota’s Ag Water Quality Certification program.