Attention Minnesota farmers: did you really think all of your buffer problems had ended?
Think again.
Thanks to Governor Dayton’s Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), a proposed Administrative Penalty Order was introduced last week that would fine farmers out of compliance with Minnesota's riparian buffer law by up to $500 per linear foot.
Yes, you read that number correctly. If you’re off by a foot, in theory you could be out tens of thousands of dollars depending on the amount of land you own that contains the buffer.
It’s another exhibition of the out-of-control Dayton administration attacking Minnesota farmers.
Let’s review: whether it’s a water quality certification program, neonicotinoid issues, buffer initiatives, or nitrogen fertilizer rulemaking, farmers are always the last to know or to be asked or provide their input.
This is shameful behavior, as these Dayton appointees want to exponentially increase fines on Minnesota farmers in situations where they’re not compliant with their buffer rule.
BWSR is giving farmers a two week comment period to make their voices heard, which lasts until 4:30PM on April 16, 2018. Comments should be submitted by email to buffers.bwsr@state.mn.us, or by U.S. Mail at the following address:
Tom Gile
Buffers and Soil Loss Operations Supervisor
Board of Soil and Water Resources
3555 9th Street NW, Suite 350
Rochester, MN 55901
We need Minnesotans to hold Governor Dayton’s administration and his agencies accountable, as the continued assault or rural Minnesota is not only unwarranted but unprecedented.