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Buffers
Resources for Landowners

Minnesota Buffer Law

What Can I Plant?

Building Better Buffers

Does This Apply to My Land?

Where Can I Get Support?

What Are Alternative Practices?

Where Can I Find Buffer Maps?
Resources for Local Governments

Minnesota Buffer Law

Election of Jurisdiction

Implementation Guidance

Haying and Grazing of Buffers

Conservation Reserve Program Exemption Guidance

Buffer Measurement for a Public Drainage Ditch

Compliance Determinations

Average Buffer Widths

Determining the Top or Crown of a Bank for Land Adjacent to a Public Water

Vegetation Establishment Goals

What to Plant in Buffers

Determining Normal Water Level

Buffer Program Update

Buffer Establishment & Management Toolbox

Alternative Practices

Alternative Practices Introduction

Common Alternative Practice #1: Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program

Common Alternative Practice #2: NRCS Filter Strip Standard: MN 393/391 Practice Standards - Public Waters

Common Alternative Practice #3: Grassed Waterway/Cultivated Watercourses - Public Waters

Common Alternative Practice #4A: Negative Slopes or Concentrated Inflow - Public Ditches

Common Alternative Practice #4B: Glacial Lake Plain Areas - Public Ditches

Common Alternative Practice #5: Negative Slopes or Concentrated Inflow - Public Waters

Common Alternative Practice #6: Conservation Tillage/Cover Crops With Vegetated Filter Strip - Public Waters

Decision Support Tool

Procedures

Procedure 1: Compliance Determinations (Parcel and Bank Approach)

Procedure 2: Reporting and Progress Tracking

Procedure 3: MS4 Exemption

Procedure 4: Alternative Practices

Procedure 5: Other Alternative Practices Approved by the Board

Procedure 6: Local Water Resources Riparian Protection ("Other Watercourses")

Procedure 7: Failure to Implement

Procedure 8: Election of Jurisdiction

Procedure 9: BWSR's Review of County and Watershed District Buffer Rules, Ordinances and Official Controls

Enforcement

Compliance Tracking Tool (BuffCAT)

Guide to the Buffer Compliance Process

Step 1: SWCD Compliance Review

Step 2: Landowner Notification

Step 3: Notice of Non-Compliance

Step 4: Corrective Action Notice Sent

Step 5: Issuing Enforcement Action

Step 6: Parcel is Compliant

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Wetlands
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Wetlands Regulation in Minnesota

WCA Program Reports
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Joint Application Form

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WCA Program Guidance and Information

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Mitigation & Banking

Wetland Bank Credits and Fees

Wetland Bank Transaction Forms

Wetland Bank Guidance & Information

Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program

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In-Lieu Fee Mitigation Program

Agricultural Wetland Bank
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MN WETLAND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program

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SPECIAL PROJECTS

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Wisconsin - Minnesota Wetland Functional Assessment Initiative

404 Assumption

Minnesota Stream Quantification Tool and Debit Calculator

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RIM Handbook & Guidance

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Grassland Management: Haying and Grazing

Tax Forfeit Lands Enrolled Into an Easement

RIM Reserve Outside Funding Request Easement Policy

Easement Alteration Policy

Master Joint Powers Agreement (MJPA) and Work Orders

Forest Management

Drainage System Maintenance Policy

Farm Bill Assistance Partnership

Habitat Establishment & Management Resources

Cover Crops for Wildlife

Seedbed Preparation from Cropland

Seedbed Preparation from Introduced Grasses to a Native Prairie Mixture

Interseeding Native Grasses and Forbs into an Existing Native Grass Stand

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Pollinator Habitat Guide

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BWSR Climate Resiliency Toolbox

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FY25 Conservation Reserve Program State Incentives Grant Program

BWSR Ecology Update

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MN Wetland Restoration Guide

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Native Vegetation Establishment and Enhancement Guidelines

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Understanding Minnesota Public Drainage Law

Minnesota Public Drainage Manual

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Chapter 103E Ditch Buffer Strip Reporting

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TRAINING

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Optional and Example Forms

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Accelerated Implementation Grant Profile

Lake Superior Basin Implementation Grant Profile

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Projects and Practices

Watershed-Based Implementation Funding Grant Profile

Watershed-based Implementation Funding Program

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Disaster Recovery Assistance Program

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Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP) Grant Profile

Water Quality and Storage Pilot Program Grant Profile

Wellhead Protection Partner Grants Program Pilot Grant Profile

Living Landscapes Programs

Conservation Reserve Program State Incentive Grant Program (Pilot) Grant Profile

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CRP State Incentives Program Grant Profile

Habitat Enhancement Landscape Program Grant Profile

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Grant Program Policies

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eLINK Reporting At a Glance

Red River of the North Basin

New structure, additional staff speed project implementation

Read more about New structure, additional staff speed project implementation

Farmers’ erosion control aids Wild Rice River water quality

Read more about Farmers’ erosion control aids Wild Rice River water quality

In Otter Tail County, easement protects wild rice, fish, wildlife

Read more about In Otter Tail County, easement protects wild rice, fish, wildlife

Fish species signal potential for delisting Sand Hill River stretch

Read more about Fish species signal potential for delisting Sand Hill River stretch

Wilkin SWCD leverages private funds to expand soil health options

Read more about Wilkin SWCD leverages private funds to expand soil health options

Bois de Sioux Watershed District builds on multi-benefit successes

Read more about Bois de Sioux Watershed District builds on multi-benefit successes

First 7 miles of Whiskey Creek restoration show effectiveness

Read more about First 7 miles of Whiskey Creek restoration show effectiveness

First 7 miles of Whiskey Creek restoration show effectiveness of NRCS-backed work

Read more about First 7 miles of Whiskey Creek restoration show effectiveness of NRCS-backed work

Federal and state funds support the Wilkin SWCD and Buffalo-Red River Watershed District’s work with landowners benefiting water quality, water quantity and wildlife

Kittson SWCD grows soil health program via incentives, outreach

Read more about Kittson SWCD grows soil health program via incentives, outreach

BWSR joins partners on tour

Read more about BWSR joins partners on tour

Pagination

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BWSR agency programs that assist landowners and local government have resulted in less sediment and nutrients entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; more fish and wildlife habitat; and the drastic slowing of wetland losses.

The Board of Water and Soil Resources is an equal opportunity employer.

Main Address:
520 Lafayette Road North
St Paul, MN. 55155
(651) 296 - 3767

TTY: (800) 627-3529
info.BWSR@state.mn.us

BWSR Office Locations

BWSR's work is supported by Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment Funding

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