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RELEASE: Rep. Bennett invites Southern Minnesota agriculture community to listening session on buffer proposal

Tuesday, March 17, 2015
ST. PAUL, MN—Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, will be hosting a listening session on Saturday, March 21st at 10:30AM at the City Center in Blooming Prairie (138 Hwy S, Blooming Prairie, MN) to hear feedback from constituents, farmers, and other members of the agriculture community in Southern Minnesota about Governor Dayton's proposed buffer plan, which would institute a 50 foot buffer zone around "all of Minnesota's waters, regardless of their classification or designation."

Bennett has also invited Governor Dayton, Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Minnesota DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, and Board of Water and Soil Resources Executive Director John Jaschke to attend the meeting to present details of their proposal, and give farmers a chance to offer input and feedback.
 
"Farmers all agree on the importance of water conservation and being good stewards of the environment," Bennett said. "However, I have heard concerns from farmers in our community about the proposed fifty foot buffer. I want to give farmers a chance to hear directly from the Governor or his administration about the proposal that would perhaps put their concerns to rest, and give farmers and the ag community a chance to weigh in to see if we can find some common ground, or a compromise to move forward."
 
Bennett said the meeting will go on as planned even if state officials are unable to attend. "I want to hear from farmers and be able to take their concerns and questions to Saint Paul as we continue to debate this proposal," Bennett concluded.
 
The meeting is open to the public, and free to attend.
 
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