Buffer Protection Map, Minnesota
Go to Section:- Overview
- Data Quality
- Data Organization
- Coordinate System
- Attributes
- Distribution - Get Data
- Metadata Reference
Section 1: Overview
Originator:Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Ecological and Water Resources Division
Title:
Buffer Protection Map, Minnesota
Abstract:
These data represent public waters and public ditches that require permanent vegetation buffers or alternative riparian water quality practices. The buffer map data comprise two geographical feature classes: one linear feature class for watercourses and one polygonal feature class for lakes, reservoirs and wetlands. The attribute for the buffer width requirement is derived from three different classification attributes: (1) the Minnesota DNR's Public Waters Inventory classification, (2) the DNR assigned shoreland classification, and (3) public open drainage system data (also referred to as open ditches) established under Minnesota Statute (M.S.) 103E and provided by local drainage authorities. The DNR Commissioner has validated the authenticity of this map for purposes described in M.S. 103F.48.
Public waters are all lakes, wetlands and watercourses that meet the criteria set forth in M.S. 103G.005, subd. 15 and are designated on public waters inventory maps. Public water wetlands without DNR shoreland classifications are excluded from the buffer map. The DNR coordinated with counties and watershed districts to identify public ditches that require a buffer.
The buffer protection map helps landowners identify buffer protection requirements, under Minnesota's Buffer Law. Public ditches require a 16.5-foot buffer and public waters require a 50-foot average buffer; public ditches that are also public watercourses require a 16.5-foot buffer unless the DNR assigned a specific shoreland classification, in which case a 50-foot average buffer is required. Local ordinances may require wider buffers. This map displays minimum standards and is not intended to affect existing local controls that are more restrictive than these requirements. Furthermore, the buffer map does not depict "other waters" to be addressed by local water plans and does not identify locations where local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) have selected an alternate water quality practice.
Purpose:
These data were developed to identify public waters and public ditches that require permanent vegetation buffers for the purposes of improving water quality. If a watercourse is a public water or part of a public drainage system, a buffer or alternative riparian water quality practice is required. Public water basins and those public water wetlands having a DNR shoreland classification require a buffer or alternative water quality practice.
For more information see the DNR's Buffer Mapping Project webpage.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/buffers/index.html
Time Period of Content Date:
08/29/2019
Currentness Reference:
The data were compiled from various sources, reviewed, and edited between January 1, 2016 and August 28, 2019. The input data are from various time periods.
Progress:
Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency:
As needed
Spatial Extent of Data:
Statewide
Bounding Coordinates:
-97.23
-89.53
49.37
43.5
Place Keywords:
Minnesota
Theme Keywords:
Hydrography, Water, Public Waters, Public Ditch Layer, Perennial Buffers, Riparian Buffers, Water Quality, Habitat, Regulation
Theme Keyword Thesaurus:
Access Constraints:
None
Use Constraints:
This map is intended to be a general guide to show where buffers are required under the buffer law (M.S. 103F.48). The data are not intended to show precise locations. This map represents the minimum state riparian buffer protection standards described in the buffer law. Local ordinances may be more restrictive than the buffer law and must also be complied with.
The map is intended to guide users to waters that require buffers under the law, and does not replace on-the-ground verification and delineation of buffer locations. Requirements under the buffer law do not apply to tribal lands, lands owned by tribal members or lands held in trust for the tribe. Exemptions to the buffer law are not displayed on this map.
This map was prepared from information on Minnesota's Public Waters Inventory (PWI) and Public Drainage Systems. While the map is derived from the PWI, it does not replace the PWI Maps. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data on which this map is based. However, the Department of Natural Resources does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or any implied uses of these data. This map was compiled and generated using geographic information systems (GIS) technology. GIS data products are available from the MN Geospatial Commons.
This map is the statewide Buffer Protection Map in effect as of the date listed and is subject to change.
Contact Person Information:
John Gleason,
Public Waters Program Hydrologist
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) - Ecological and Water Resources Division
500 Lafayette Road, PO Box 25
St. Paul,
MN
55155
Phone: 651-259-5725
Email: john.gleason@state.mn.us
Associated Data Sets:
Section 2: Data Quality
Attribute Accuracy:
Logical Consistency:
Completeness:
The data provide complete coverage for the state of Minnesota. Local drainage data was provided by all drainage authorities except for Koochiching County. Features selected from the MPCA's altered watercourse layer were used for Koochiching County.
Horizontal Positional Accuracy:
A small sample comparison of forty random points along watercourses in the buffer map compared to recent high resolution aerial imagery and lidar data found that most (>90%) of the tested points were within 50 feet of the location shown on these reference data layers. The positional accuracy may vary geographically and by contributing source.
Vertical Positional Accuracy:
Not applicable
Lineage:
INITIAL DEVELOPMENT & RELEASE (January-June 2016)
Public Waters Inventory: Waterbodies identified from scanned Public Waters Inventory (PWI) maps and digitized from aerial photography. The public water inventory process occurred from 1979 to 1984, and M.S. 103G.005 identified all natural and altered watercourses with a total drainage area greater than two square miles as being public waters. The original paper maps were subsequently scanned and georeferenced to make them useable within a GIS. The scanned, georeferenced data were later digitized to create a vector data set with a linear feature class for Public Water watercourses and a polygonal feature class for Public Water basins. These vector datasets formed the basis of the initial representation of public waters for the buffer map. The Public Waters Inventory data were reviewed by DNR area hydrologists in January 2016. Requested edits that were approved by the business data steward have been made to the public waters data used for the buffer map. Some comments received from the area hydrologist review have not been fully evaluated. These comments may result in future changes to both the PWI and the buffer map with respect to the public waters attribute. In addition, local registered users and others also reviewed and commented on the public waters component of the buffer map through a process conducted in spring 2016 (late February through the end of May). Any comments received from this review that were approved by the business data stewards were implemented in the buffer map, including changes to the public waters attribute.
Shoreland Classifications: The data displays DNR-assigned shoreland classifications based on all available historic records, starting with 1970s and 1990s DNR shoreland classification lists made available to counties, and any subsequent changes available on record. Shoreland classifications were assigned to basins and watercourses by the DNR Land Use Unit on a copy of the Public Waters Inventory GIS data layer. These attributes were transferred to the buffer map data by MNIT and are being checked for errors and updates revealed from ongoing record searches. Any comments received on the draft buffer map that resulted in an approved change to the shoreland classification attribute were implemented by MNIT. Shoreland classifications continue to be verified by the DNR Land Use Unit. Please note, while these classifications are accurate to the best available information, it is still advised to consult the local government and DNR area hydrologist for specific classification guidance.
Public Ditch Data: Public ditch data were created from data received from the local drainage authorities listed below. Initially, two drainage authorities did not provide public ditch data for the buffer map: Koochiching County and Grant County. For these counties, features selected from the MPCA's altered watercourse layer were used for Koochiching County and the eastern third of Grant County (the portion not covered by the Bois de Sioux Watershed District).
The public ditch data were compiled and standardized by MNIT@DNR. In many cases, the data provided included features other than open public ditches and the target features had to be extracted from the data provided. The data were loaded into a standard template file geodatabase and underwent initial editing and cleanup. Features that duplicated public watercourses were flagged and the feature with the most spatially accurate representation was selected for inclusion in the buffer map. Once the data from a drainage authority were standardized, they were loaded to a single statewide feature class for public ditches.
The public ditch and public water data were then symbolized and used to generate a tile cache service, which was displayed in an online application for review. Registered local users (county, SWCD, and watershed district staff) could then review the data and submit requests for corrections. More than 2,500 requests for corrections were received from late February to the end of May. All comments received were reviewed by DNR business data stewards. 1442 led to changes, 1052 required no change, and 60 comments were held for further review. All approved change requests were implemented by MNIT@DNR.
FIRST UPDATE (August 2016)
Public Ditch data submitted by Grant County were incorporated in to the buffer map, replacing the initial use of MPCA altered watercourse data in that county.
SECOND UPDATE (November 2016)
The DNR continued to systematically review all comments received from registered users and accepted changes that were consistent with the map purpose and criteria. An additional 886 requests for corrections were received from July to the end of October 2016. Of the submitted and reviewed comments, 645 led to changes, 195 required no change, and 46 are being held for further review. All approved change requests were implemented by MNIT@DNR.
THIRD UPDATE (February 2017)
The DNR continued to systematically review all comments received from registered users and accepted changes that were consistent with the map purpose and criteria. An additional 711 requests for corrections were received from November 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017. Of the submitted and reviewed comments, 612 led to changes, 87 required no change, and 12 are being held for further review. In addition to the comments submitted during the November thorugh January period, 33 pending comments from the previous release were addressed with 13 changes and 20 requiring no change. 43 additional comments submitted after the closing date of January 31, 2017 were also addressed with 36 changes and 7 requiring no change. All approved change requests were implemented by MNIT@DNR.
An additional attribute field (potential_trout_delisting) was added to indicate whether or not a watercourse was under consideration for being delisted as a trout stream. If the trout stream designation is the only criteria for that particular stream to be considered public waters and that designation is dropped, the watercourse will no longer be considered public waters and therefore will no longer require a buffer. These features are indicated so landowners can delay buffer installation until a final determination is made.
FOURTH UPDATE (May 2017)
A Commissioner's Order, dated April 13, 2017, directed the removal of watercourses from the Public Waters Inventory that were classified as Altered Natural and were not part of a Public Ditch system. Those features were removed from the Public Waters Inventory (PWI) and thus no longer met the criteria for inclusion in the buffer protection map. This removal accounted for approximately 640 miles of watercourses across 70 counties. These features are identified in a separate feature class (pw_watercourse_removals) in the file geodatabase. The primary reason for this map release was to revise the buffer map to correspond to the corrected PWI. Other pending comments submitted after January 31, 2017 were not necessarily included in this release. Those comments will be addressed by a later map release.
FIFTH UPDATE (August 2017)
The DNR continued to systematically review all comments received from registered users and accepted changes that were consistent with the map purpose and criteria. An additional 334 requests for corrections were received from January 31, 2017 to August 4, 2017. Of the submitted and reviewed comments, 207 led to changes, 112 required no change, and 15 are being held for further review. All approved change requests were implemented by MNIT@DNR.
SIXTH UPDATE (June 2018)
This is an unofficial release to address an alignment issue in eastern Marshall County and a portion of southern Roseau County. Data in the initial submission for these areas were not aligned to features on the ground. Data still represented, however, a general guide to which features were subject to the buffer law. This unofficial release focused on making alignment adjustments to better represent those features and to minimize confusion over where buffers should be placed.
SEVENTH UPDATE (August 2018)
The DNR continued to systematically review all comments received from registered users and accepted changes that were consistent with the map purpose and criteria. An additional 232 requests for corrections were received from August 5, 2017 to August 15, 2018. Of the submitted and reviewed comments, 150 led to changes, 61 required no change, and 21 are being held for further review. All approved change requests were implemented by MNIT@DNR.
EIGHTH UPDATE (August 2019)
This buffer map data update is to address comments submitted after the last map release cutoff (August 15, 2018) through August 13, 2019 as well as any deferred comments that had not been addressed in previous releases. This includes 133 comments with created dates ranging from 5/6/2016 to 8/13/2019. Of the 133 submitted and reviewed comments, 51 led to changes, 31 required no change, and 51 are being held for further review. All approved change requests were implemented by MNIT@DNR.
The details about what specific changes were requested and the resolution of these requests are stored in a separate database for buffer map review comments. The DNR will continue to review comments entered in the Buffer Mapping Tool and update the map with accepted changes. There is currently no planned update, but periodic updates will occur as needed.
The following list of organizations contributed public ditch data for the buffer map: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Bois de Sioux WD, Brown, Buffalo Creek WD, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Clearwater River WD, Cook , Coon Creek WD, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, High Island Creek WD, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank WD, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Middle-Snake-Tamarac Rivers WD, Mille Lacs, Minnehaha Creek WD, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nine Mile Creek WD, Nobles, Norman, North Fork Crow River WD, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pelican River WD, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Red Lake WD, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rice Creek WD, Rock, Roseau, Roseau River WD, Sand Hill River WD, Sauk River WD, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Turtle Creek WD, Two Rivers WD, Wadena, Waseca, Watonwan, Wild Rice WD, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine, and Yellow Medicine River WD.
Section 3: Spatial Data Organization (not used in this metadata)
Section 4: Coordinate System
Horizontal Coordinate Scheme:
Universal Transverse Mercator
UTM Zone Number:
15
Horizontal Datum:
NAD83
Horizontal Units:
meters
Vertical Datum:
not applicable
Vertical Units:
Depth Datum:
not applicable
Depth Units:
Section 5: Attributes
Overview:
Watercourses - Linear features depicting watercourses (public water watercourses and public open ditches) for the buffer map including the Public Water Inventory class, the DNR shoreland classification, the public ditch class, and the buffer width requirement.
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Wetlands - Polygonal features depicting lakes, reservoirs and wetlands for the buffer map including the Public Water Inventory class and the DNR shoreland classification.
Detailed Citation:
Table Detail:
watercourses - Linear features depicting watercourses (public water watercourses and public open ditches) for the buffer map| Field Name | Valid Values | Definition | Definition Source |
|---|
| objectid | - | Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated by ArcGIS | internal |
| src | - | The data source used for the watercourse feature (DNR or one of several local sources) | |
| unique_id | - | A combination of the source identifier and the OID for the source data for tracking purposes | |
| usgs_name | - | The watercourse name used by the USGS (from DNR hydrography data) | DNR hydrography |
| within_basin | enumerated | A simple boolean field (Y/N) indicating whether this segment of the watercourse intersects (occurs within) a mapped basin within the buffer map | calculated from GIS |
| Y | yes, the feature occurs within a basin on the buffer map. The feature is included for hydrologic connectivity and not considered when summarizing miles of buffered watercourses since the basin would have its own buffer | |
| N | no, the feature does not occur within a basin on the buffer map | |
| description | - | Text description of the watercourse type with regard to PWI type and public ditch designation | |
| dnr_sl_cla | - | The watercourse shoreland classification assigned by the DNR | |
| field_review | enumerated | A simple boolean field (Y/N) indicating whether the public watercourse should have a field review conducted to determine the buffer requirement. This is a temporary designation. | |
| Y | yes | |
| N | no | |
| fname | - | The watercourse (ditch) name provided by a local data source (for public ditches). This field is incompletely populated. | locally contributed data |
| kittle_nam | - | The watercourse name used by the DNR (from DNR hydrography data) | DNR hydrography |
| kittle_nbr | - | A unique numbering system for watercourses used by the DNR Fisheries Division (from DNR hydrography data) | DNR hydrography |
| length_mi | - | The length of the watercourse reach in miles (calculated from the GIS data) | calculated from GIS |
| pd_flag | enumerated | A simple boolean field (Y/N) indicating whether the watercourse is a public ditch under MS103E or not | |
| Y | yes | |
| N | no | |
| pwi_flag | enumerated | A simple integer field indicating whether the watercourse is a Public Waters natural watercourse, a PWI altered natural watercourse, or not on the PWI | DNR PWI |
| 0 | not part of the Public Water Inventory | |
| 1 | PWI natural watercourse | |
| 2 | PWI altered natural watercourse | |
| pwi_id | - | A numbering system for watercourses used by the DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division | DNR PWI |
| shape | - | Internal coordinates defining the features | internal |
| shape_length | - | Internally calculated feature length in meters automatically generated by ArcGIS | internal |
| buffer_ft | enumerated | The vegetative buffer width required for the watercourse (either 16.5-ft or 50-ft) | calculated from pd_flag, pwi_flag, and sl_flag |
| 16.5 | | |
| 50 | | |
| cty_name | - | The name of the county within which the feature occurs | |
| dow_lake_number | - | If the watercourse segment intersects a basin, this is the basin ID number it intersects | DNR hydrography |
| sl_flag | enumerated | A simple boolean field (Y/N) indicating whether the watercourse has an assigned DNR shoreland classification or not | calculated from dnr_sl_cla field |
| Y | yes | |
| N | no | |
| potential_trout_delisting | enumerated | A simple boolean field (Y/N) indicating whether or not the watercourse is under consideration for trout stream delisting. | DNR hydrography |
| Y | Yes | |
| N | No | |
lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands - Polygonal features depicting lakes, reservoirs and wetlands for the buffer map| Field Name | Valid Values | Definition | Definition Source |
|---|
| objectid | - | Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated by ArcGIS | internal |
| shape | - | Internal coordinates defining the features | internal |
| shape_length | - | Internally calculated feature length in meters automatically generated by ArcGIS | internal |
| shape_area | - | Internally calculated feature area in square meters automatically generated by ArcGIS | internal |
| acres | - | Area of basin in acres | calculated from GIS |
| buffer_ft | - | The vegetative buffer width required for the basin (50-ft) | |
| dnr_sl_cla | enumerated | The basin shoreland classification assigned by the DNR | |
| General Development/Natural Environment | | |
| Natural Environment | | |
| Natural Environment 3 | | |
| Recreational Development | | |
| Recreational Development/General Development | | |
| Special Protection | | |
| Special Recreational Development | | |
| pw_basin_name | - | The basin name used by the DNR (from DNR hydrography data) | DNR hydrgraphy |
| pwi_class | enumerated | A short text field indicating the PWI class of the basin | DNR hydrgraphy |
| P | public water | |
| W | public water wetland | |
| dow_lake_number | - | A unique lake basin number assigned by the DNR | DNR hydrography |
| field_review | enumerated | A simple boolean field (Y/N) indicating whether the public water basin should have a field review conducted to determine the buffer requirement. This is a temporary designation. | |
| Y | yes | |
| N | no | |
Section 6: Distribution
Publisher:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - Ecological and Water Resources Division
Publication Date:
06/30/2016
Contact Person Information:
Zeb Thomas,
GIS Data Systems Coordinator
MNIT@DNR
500 Lafayette Road, PO Box 25
St. Paul,
MN
55155
Phone: 651-259-5637
Email: zeb.thomas@state.mn.us
Distributor's Data Set Identifier:
env_buffer_protection_mn
Ordering Instructions:
Please visit the download page for this dataset on the Minnesota Geospatial Commons website using the web link below (Online Linkage). Online Linkage: I AGREE
to the notice in "Distribution Liability" above. Clicking to agree will either begin the download process, link to a service, or provide more instructions. See "Ordering Instructions" above for details.
Section 7: Metadata Reference
Metadata Date:
08/29/2019
Contact Person Information:
Andrea Bergman,
GIS Hydrologist
Minnesota DNR - Ecological and Water Resources
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul,
MN
55155
Phone: 651-259-5690
Email: andrea.bergman@state.mn.us
Metadata Standard Name:
Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines
Metadata Standard Version:
1.2
