Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has a plan to create 50-foot buffer strips along waterways in the state. The idea is to pay farmers through long-term contracts to give up some land (the buffer zones) to protect waterways from runoff. This runoff allows farm chemicals and pesticides into lakes, rivers and streams, creating environmental problems locally, in the state and beyond.

Farm groups have expressed their dissatisfaction with the governor’s plan, including Brown County groups who authored the letter below. Some say the state needs better enforcement of its current 16-1/2 foot buffer zone law. Others say a “one-size fits all” plan won’t work for all situations.

There is reason to hope in the fact that everyone seems to agree that polluting lakes and streams is not a great idea. Farmers are good stewards of the land – they have to be if they want to stay in business long.

So farmers should be involved in modifying the governor’s plan. They should be invited to provide their input and ideas for a plan to protect Minnesota waterways that is reasonable, effective and enforceable.