The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources is proposing penalties for noncompliance with the state buffer law. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Director of Public Affairs Joe Smentek says a change-up this late in the buffer game is bothersome. “When we were working on amendments for the buffer law in 2017, MSGA was promised everything would be on a per parcel basis. There was no talk of a per foot penalty.”
Farmers and ranchers determined to be in noncompliance with the law could face fines. Smentek says the statute states “fines up to $500”, not $500 per foot. “For example, if you were under the old proposal and have 100 feet out of compliance in a parcel, you would have been fined $500. Under the new proposal, that same 100 feet could cost you $50,000.” Public comment on this proposed amendment will be accepted through April 16
