Such a program must be sufficiently broad to be attractive to both residential and agricultural shoreland owners. Also, while some landowners may be willing to place a permanent conservation easement on their shoreland, most would be more comfortable accessing a cost-share program that helps them reestablish a healthy shoreland buffer. Every watershed stakeholder benefits from sediment and nutrient reduction. The public benefits by reducing nitrates and chemicals in drinking water. Hunters and anglers benefit from improved and increased habitat for fish and wildlife.
Farmers benefit from reduced loss of soil and fertilizer.
Commercial waterway users benefit from decreased dredging costs related to sedimentation. Funding provided by the Shoreland Buffers Bill will assist landowners in completing restoration projects such as this one along the Vermillion River. What You Can Do Contact your State Representative and State Senator. Ask them to support protection of Minnesota's shoreland resources. To find the names of your Senators and Representatives and how to reach them, visit PioneerPlanet's handy Political Machine Precinct finder.