SWCD Buffer Law Implementation
2015 Clean Water Fund appropriations to BWSR included $2.5 million per year for purposes of supporting local government implementation of the new buffer initiative. This allocation is designed to make year one funds available on a non-competitive, formula-based basis to SWCDs to support local implementation of the buffer initiative.
"$2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year are for grants to local units of government to enhance compliance with riparian buffer or alternate practice requirements"
The buffer initiative is fundamentally directed to addressing those areas where cultivation is occurring next to public waters or ditches. Funds may be used by SWCDs to conduct meetings on implementation roles and responnsibilities, support local implementation, conduct landowner outreach, provide technical and financial assistance to landowners, assist with purchase of equipment to support implementation, provide alternative practice validations, review DNR maps, adopt buffer recommendations for waters not mapped by DNR for inclusion in local water management plans, implement new statewide excessive soil erosion provisions to protect downstream waters and propery owners, and conduct and inventory of inventory of baseline conditions.