Buffer Strips

Buffer Strips consist of perennial vegetation planted around the edge of a lake, river, stream, wetland, or ditch that help protect the water body from runoff and also stabilizes the banks. The buffer protects the soil, improves water quality, enhances fish and wildlife habitat, and reduces maintenance costs for drainage systems.

1. Slow water runoff
2. Remove nutrients and pesticide runoff.
3. Remove pathogen runoff.
4. Reduce noise and odor.
5. Serve as a food source for wildlife.
6. Stabilize stream banks and reduce water temperature.
7. Provide a setback distance for agricultural chemical use.

Since 1998, Grant County Land Management Office has been working with landowners, through the Shoreland Management Ordinance, to implement 50 ft buffers on protected waters.  In lieu of the state of Minnesota’s buffer law, Grant County is continuing to administer buffer requirements on protected waters through this ordinance.

However, come November 1st, 2018,  land adjacent to  public ditch systems will require the installation of 16.5 ft of perennial vegetation. These requirements will be administered through the respective ditch systems legal authority. 

Buffer Compliance:

The Grant Soil and Water Conservation District, through statute, is tasked with assisting the various enforcement entities (listed above) with buffer compliance tracking. This tracking is completed on a parcel by parcel basis.

Buffer tracking will be completed in accordance with the Grant Soil and Water Conservation District’s Monitoring Plan for Buffer Compliance Tracking.