Dear Neighbor,
The DNR has released its map of public waters and public ditches requiring buffer strips. Click here for the link.
The buffer map shows landowners and local governments where public ditches requiring 16.5-foot buffers (or alternative practice) and public waters requiring 50-foot buffers (or alternative practice) are located. It also shows a few sites labeled as “needs field review,” which will be resolved in a future update.
The DNR indicates in a press release it “received 2,692 comments and have made over 1,440 corrections. A small number of comments requesting corrections (affecting 206 miles out of 60,000 miles) could not be addressed by the July publication date because they require further investigation or field review. We also anticipate receiving additional comments as implementation begins. Therefore, the DNR plans to release map updates in October and January, which will provide a process for reviewing and processing any final corrections.”
Now that the map has been released, the focus turns toward implementation by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, soil and water conservation districts and other local governments. They will work with landowners to help answer questions and/or resolve any issues that may arise.
If people see something mapped that should not be, or vice-versa, to contact their local SWCD. This link provides a directory of SWCDs throughout the state. You also can feel free to contact me if you are looking for assistance.
On a separate note, there is still nothing new to report regarding a possible special legislative. As I mentioned in a recent newspaper column, it’s too bad the tax bill was vetoed because it contained provisions that would have helped many residents. Folks say we should do things in a more bipartisan way. Well, that tax bill was done in such a fashion as over 90 percent of all House and Senate members, Republicans and Democrats, voted in favor of the bill.
Disagreement with the governor over additional spending and transit – particularly light-rail trains in the metro area – are still holding up any agreement to come back and re-pass the tax bill in addition to the bonding bill. Several cities, including Morris, have major infrastructure projects waiting for state dollars that are being held up in the bonding bill.
Sincerely,
Paul