DANR Seeking Public Comments on the Riparian Buffer Initiative

For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 30, 2021

Media Contact: Brian Walsh, Brian.Walsh@state.sd.us

 

DANR Seeking Public Comments on the Riparian Buffer Initiative

 

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is seeking public comments on its Riparian Buffer Initiative.

 

The goal of DANR’s Riparian Buffer Initiative is to improve water quality through increased use of riparian buffers in the Big Sioux watershed and impaired waterbodies across South Dakota. Riparian buffers, vegetated areas adjacent to streams and lakes, are an effective conservation practice filtering out pollutants and capturing nutrients before they enter waterbodies.

 

Information on DANR’s Riparian Buffer Initiative is available at https://danr.sd.gov/Conservation/WatershedProtection/RiparianBuffer.aspx. Comments may be submitted via email to DANRmail@state.sd.us and must be received by Friday, October 29, 2021.

 

Producers who enroll in the initiative will receive direct payments to install and maintain buffers on eligible lands. Buffers must be a minimum of 50 feet and not exceed 120 feet wide, may not be harvested or mowed between May 1 and August 1, may not be grazed between May 1 and September 30, and must always maintain a minimum of four inches of cover.

 

DANR will announce RBI enrollment information later this year.

 

For more information about DANR’s Riparian Buffer Initiative please contact Tanner Clausen at 605-362-3559.

 

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