Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne) invites constituents to attend a listening session regarding the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) ditch mowing policy. The session, which is part of a series of meetings held around the state, is a time for concerned individuals to provide comments to MnDOT on their implementation of a policy restricting mowing and haying in ditches and other state highway rights-of-way.

The public comment session will be held at Marshall Middle School (401 South Saratoga Street, Marshall) on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“This listening session is an opportunity for landowners and other stakeholders to come together and engage with state officials on how these policies affect them,” said Senator Weber. “There has been a lack of communication and foresight from MnDOT on the rollout of this policy. Farmers and landowners have been mowing and baling these ditches for years and it is important for MnDOT to hear from those whom the rollout of this policy affects.”

During the 2017 legislative session, a moratorium on the implementation of MnDOT’s policy was imposed – coming in response to a change in policy regarding the requirements for mowing and baling state highway rights-of-way. This policy required, among other things, landowners to apply for permits to mow or bale the rights-of-way, and prompted swift criticism from rural Minnesotans.

In addition, the legislation required MnDOT to work with agricultural and environmental groups to develop recommendations on a permit or notification system for mowing and baling in the highway rights-of-way. These recommendations, which are required to include landowner priority and ease of application, must be presented to the legislature early next year.

Additional meetings will be held around Minnesota, including in Mankato, Morris, and St. Cloud. The full schedule can be found on MnDOT’s project website. For those who cannot attend a listening session, comments can also be submitted on MnDOT’s website.

Senator Bill Weber is in his second term representing Senate District 22, which includes communities in Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock counties. He serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee.