Riparian Buffer Initiative

A riparian zone is land along the edges of rivers, streams, lakes and other waterbodies. Vegetation within the riparian zone of waterways serves as a natural buffer providing numerous water quality benefits. 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 valuable habitat, additional forage for livestock and increase the value of marginal crop lands.

Project Description

Nonpoint source pollution can be difficult to control, measure, and monitor, and has a major effect on our rivers and streams. In South Dakota, common pollutants include sediments, nitrogen, phosphorus, and bacteria. These contaminants reach our surface waters through runoff and erosion. Riparian buffers are an effective way to filter out pollutants by slowing down runoff and allowing sediments to filter out. Buffers also allow nutrients to be taken up by plant tissues before entering waterbodies.

Producers that enroll in the initiative will be required to buffer either existing pastureland or revegetate cropland. Enrollment requires a buffer of at minimum 50 ft and a maximum average of 120 ft. Vegetation may not be harvested or mowed between May 1 and August 1. Vegetation may not be grazed between May 1 and September 30. A minimum of four inches of cover must always be maintained.

Riparian Buffer Initiative (RBI) - Overview

Goal: To establish new riparian buffers to improve water quality in South Dakota's watersheds.

Minimum Program Requirements

Pastureland

  1. Waterbody must be listed in ARSD 74:51:03 or ARSD 74:51:02:04 or locally designated by the local board county commissioners as outlined in SDCL 10-6-116 or designated by DANR.
  2. Minimum buffer width of 50 feet from the ordinary high-water mark.
  3. Maximum average buffer width of 120 feet.
  4. Vegetation may not be harvested or mowed between May 1 through August 1.
  5. Vegetation may not be grazed between May 1 and September 30.
  6. If cattle are present from October 1 through April 30, alternative water shall be available away from the stream.
  7. A minimum vegetative stand of 4 - 6 inches shall be maintained.
  8. Must agree to enroll ground for ten years.

Cropland

  1. Waterbody must be listed in ARSD 74:51:03 or ARSD 74:51:02:04 or locally designated by the local board county commissioners as outlined in SDCL 10-6-116 or designated by DANR.
  2. Ground must be converted to grass.
  3. Minimum buffer width of 50 feet from the ordinary high-water mark.
  4. Maximum average buffer width of 120 feet.
  5. Vegetation may not be harvested or mowed between May 1 through August 1.
  6. Vegetation may not be grazed between May 1 and September 30.
  7. If cattle are present from October 1 through alternative water shall be available away from the stream.
  8. A minimum vegetative stand of 4 - 6 inches shall be maintained.
  9. Must agree to enroll ground for ten years.

Related Documents

  • Big Sioux River Riparian Buffer Initiative Fact Sheet
  • Statewide Riparian Buffer Initiative Fact Sheet
  • Big Sioux River Watershed Riparian Buffer Initiative Project Application
  • Statewide Riparian Buffer Initiative Project Application
  • Animal Waste Management System Fact Sheet