(a) It is the purpose of sections 103F.505 to 103F.531 to restore certain marginal agricultural land and protect environmentally sensitive areas to:

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 103F.505

  • Public waters: means public waters as defined in section 103G. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
  • Sequester: To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their deliberations.
  • state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
  • Wetlands: means lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44

(1) enhance soil and water quality;

(2) minimize damage to flood-prone areas;

(3) sequester carbon;

(4) support native plant, fish, and wildlife habitats; and

(5) establish perennial vegetation.

(b) It is state policy to encourage:

(1) restoration of wetlands and riparian lands;

(2) restoration and protection of marginal, highly erodible land, particularly land adjacent to public waters, drainage systems, wetlands, and locally designated priority waters; and

(3) protection of environmentally sensitive areas, including wellhead protection areas, grasslands, peatlands, shorelands, karst geology, and forest lands in priority areas.