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Farmers' trench digging raises concerns about wetlands protection in Minnesota

MARSHALL, Minn. - A pair of farmers had permission to clean out some ditches in a few fields. Instead, they dug a trench nearly three-quarters of a mile long in the fields and through a cattail marsh in southwest Minnesota, work authorities say violated wetlands protection laws.

The ditching episode has triggered consternation in this pocket of Lyon County. Two downstream farmers took time from spring planting to speak out, saying they feel it's such an egregious violation, they don't understand how the work received approval. And they don't think authorities are doing enough to hold the violators accountable.

They fear that given the 8-foot slope down to their land, one heavy rain will send water roaring south and flood them, with one of their properties emptying into the Redwood River, a tributary of the Minnesota River.

https://www.startribune.com/marshall-lyon-county-farm-wetlands-marsh-deer-minnesota-soil-hunt-violation-dnr-river-restoration/600273209/

 

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