What is a buffer?
A buffer, also known as a riparian filter strip, is vegetated land adjacent to a stream, river, lake or wetland.
Filter strips, riparian buffers (predominantly trees and shrubs next to water courses), field borders, grassed waterways, field windbreaks, shelterbelts, and contour grass strips are all examples of conservation buffers.
Buffers help filter out phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment, and are an important conservation practice for helping keep water clean.
Benefits of Buffers
Buffer Law
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Slow water runoff
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Remove up to 50% or more nutrients and pesticides in runoff
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Remove up to 60% or more pathogens in runoff
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Remove up to 75% or more sediment in runoff
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Reduce noise and odor
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Serve as a source of food, nesting cover, and shelter for wildlife
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Stabilize streambanks and reduce water temperature in stream
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Provide a setback distance for agricultural chemical use from watercourses
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Reduce downstream flooding
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Minnesota’s Buffer Law requires perennial vegetative buffers of up to 50 feet along lakes, rivers, and streams and buffers of 16.5 feet along ditches.
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Check the Statewide Buffer Map to see whether the buffer requirement applies to a waterbody near you.
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The law provides flexibility for landowners to install alternative practices with equivalent water quality benefits that are based on the Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office Technical Guide.
103F.48 Riparian Protection And Water Quality Practices
1. COMPLIANCE TRACKING OF ALL PARCELS SUBJECT TO THE BUFFER LAW
All parcels in the county are to be reviewed within a 3-year timeframe.
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 private land. A combination of both aerial and on-site review may also be used.
a. The SWCD will conduct 25-50 parcels on a random spot check each year outside of the scheduled area.
b. Additionally, the SWCD should review parcels of emphasis more frequently.
i. Previously non-compliant
ii. No-till/Conservation tillage or cover crop alternative practice plans
iii. Variable width buffers (i.e. Land O’ Lakes buffer tool, Decision Support Tool)
iv. Cost-share funded projects (years 1,3,9 of contract)
v. Parcels of further emphasis (potential violators)