ST. PAUL – Rural landowners who were upset by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) belief that private ditch systems were part of our state's new buffer agreement can now breathe a sigh of relief according to State Representative Dave Hancock (R-Bemidji).
"One of my biggest concerns regarding the buffer discussion last session was that private ditch systems would be unnecessarily included," Hancock said. "The Legislature worked diligently to ensure that only public ditches would be enforced, yet the DNR still misinterpreted the law."
Under an agreement reached by the House, Senate, and Governor Dayton last year, buffers of 16.5 feet must be installed on all public ditches by November of 2018.
Following session, lawmakers learned that the DNR had begun mapping private ditches, which Hancock said greatly exceeded the scope and intent of the compromise.
On January 28, Minnesota House leadership met with Governor Dayton and expressed their concerns about the DNR's overreach. After the meeting concluded, Dayton instructed the DNR to only map public ditches.
"Governor Dayton did the right thing, because legislative intent was not being followed," Hancock said. "Now those who must enforce buffer laws and those who must follow them are all using the same playbook and there will be no more public and private ditch confusion."