ST. PAUL – Farmers and ditch mowers take note: in the name of saving habitat for birds and pollinators, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has come up with a series of regulations that will significantly impact the way you mow and bale road ditch hay.
State Representative Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center) called the new rules an unwanted solution in search of a non-existent problem.
“Without warning, MnDOT put out a new ditch mowing policy and completely messed up a system that’s been working well for decades,” Cornish said. “Because of this, we are rightfully seeing a backlash from farmers and ditch mowers.”
Cornish said a state law has been on the books for years that says road ditches can’t be cut before August 1 to allow pheasants to nest in ditches and also to maintain habitat for bees. For the most part, that law hasn’t been enforced.
Now, thanks to MnDOT, anyone who wants to mow and bale road ditch hay in a state right-of-way must apply for a permit from MnDOT. For example, if you don’t apply to cut the hay in state ditches that border your land, it will be opened up for anyone to apply for a permit to cut those areas.
Cornish said other new MnDOT requirements also defy belief. They include requiring hay cutting tractors to be equipped with a particular type of flashing light; forcing the operator in the tractor to wear a certain color safety vest; stating where the person can enter the ditch; and mandating that the person who cuts and bales the hay take out a liability insurance policy and name the state as beneficiary.
“I know people who mow the ditch for ten consecutive miles who are now expected to acquire multiple permits if they want to continue,” Cornish said. “This is yet another example of a state agency ignoring common sense, and I’m pleased a number of bills are now coming forward that would change this very blatant example of government overreach.”