MN SF2503

Establishes buffer requirements for landowners with property adjacent to public waters and public drainage systems, requiring either a 50-foot average width buffer with 30-foot minimum width or state shoreland standards for public waters, and a 16.5-foot minimum width buffer for public drainage ditches, with compliance deadline of November 1, 2017 for public waters and November 1, 2018 for drainage systems.

Allows landowners on cultivated farming property to meet buffer requirements through alternative riparian water quality practices such as retention ponds or other structural and vegetative practices approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources that provide comparable water quality protection.

Authorizes counties and watershed districts with jurisdiction to issue administrative penalty orders up to $500 for noncompliance with buffer requirements, with one-half of penalties remitted to the local authority or Board of Water and Soil Resources, effective after the 11th month of noncompliance notice.

Requires the Board of Water and Soil Resources to adopt a plan containing procedures for administrative penalty issuance by July 1, 2017, and requires counties and watershed districts to affirm their jurisdiction and adopt consistent plans by March 31, 2017 before enforcing penalties.

Permits use of existing drainage system provisions to acquire or provide compensation for buffer establishment in advance or retroactively, and allows landowners to obtain financial assistance information from soil and water conservation districts for cost-share grants and loans.