The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved an additional $5-million in American Rescue Plan Act grant funds for its statewide Riparian Buffer Initiative.
A riparian zone is land along the edges of rivers, streams, lakes and other water bodies. Vegetation within the riparian zone of waterways serves as a natural buffer preventing pollutants from reaching waterways. Establishing healthy riparian buffers is a common conservation practice used to improve and protect water quality and overall ecological health of aquatic resources. Riparian buffers also provide habitat, additional forage for livestock and increase the value of marginal crop lands.
State Agriculture Secretary Hunter Roberts says since 2022, South Dakota has directed $9 million to its RBI. He says this represents the largest investment in non-point source pollution prevention in the state’s history.
Landowners who enroll in the Riparian Buffer Initiative will receive direct payments to install and maintain buffers on eligible lands. Buffers must be a minimum of 50 feet wide and have a maximum average width of 120 feet, may not be harvested or mowed between May 1 and August 1, may not be grazed between May 1 and September 30, and must maintain a minimum of four inches of cover. DANR is partnering with the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks (GFP) to add additional incentives for riparian buffers in areas also participating in CRP and CREP contracts.
Landowners interested in enrolling in RBI should contact DANR’s Tanner Clausen at 605-362-3559.
The American Rescue Plan Act provides grants for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source projects. The state of South Dakota is making a historic investment in infrastructure by dedicating $689,384,221 of American Rescue Plan Act funding for local water and wastewater infrastructure grants.
Previous RBI funding was awarded in April 2022.
The board approved the funding at its June 27, 2024, meeting in Pierre.
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