Summary/Abstract
The State of Minnesota “Buffer Law” requires 50-foot average buffers on lands bordering public waters and 16.5-foot buffers on lands bordering public ditches. The law is designed to reduce agricultural runoff, but will also increase soil carbon sequestration on the newly planted strips of land abutting lakes and streams. More than 90,000 miles of Minnesota shorelands are estimated to fall under the requirements. Landowners may choose to implement practices other than vegetative buffers in some cases, as long as the alternative practice provides water quality protection equivalent to a buffer. Landowners also retain their rights to utilize their perennially maintained buffer lands.