Earlier this year, Governor Dayton proposed legislation to require all public waters from lakes and rivers and drainage ditches to have a 50-foot vegetative buffer.
The governor wanted to protect our drinking water while increasing wildlife habitat. He met with resistance from landowners and agricultural groups who balked at the idea of a “one-size-fits-all” solution to the problem.
Last week’s final agreement in the state legislature is very different from what the governor proposed.
It calls for the “voluntary” implementation of buffer strips and gives local soil and water conservation districts the authority to promote, educate and assist private landowners in the installation and implementation of buffers.
Farming groups said they know best how to manage soil erosion and implement the best practices, including the possible installation of buffer strips.
Now is the time for producers to show the public that they indeed know best and are willing to do what’s best.
State agencies have already labeled the Rock River as impaired and the Environmental Working Group gave our lack of buffer strips an “F” grade.
Rock County has almost 400 miles and 4,810 acres of land that is vulnerable to soil erosion and could benefit from buffer strips. Some of this land already has the appropriate protection. Now let’s concentrate on the rest.
It’s time for all of us to help take the Rock River off the impaired list and eliminate that failing grade.
But with no tools for enforcement in place, can the current practices of some producers really be changed?
Last year’s flooding left the river’s banks in terrible condition, but yet producers are still planting inches away from its banks as seen in the photo taken last week.
Farming organizations have said that producers are able to police themselves and do what is right for the soil and water.
They say this comes naturally because it’s an investment in the future — for their own productivity and for the environment.
Yet we don’t have to drive far in Rock County to see heartbreaking erosion where soil has washed into ditches and streams.
What will it take for all producers to get on board?
We have many conservation-minded farmers who are already working on it, but everyone needs to be on board.
For that to happen, we feel it starts with leadership.
Our local agricultural committees should officially recognize there is a problem and press for solutions.
Our government entities should do the same.
Our neighbor to the north, Pipestone County, is currently crafting a resolution acknowledging that soil erosion is a problem and supports the installation of buffer strips as a solution.
We look forward to similar action here in Rock County.