In Minnesota, It's Illegal To Plant Crops In Highway 'Rights Of Way'

The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants to remind farmers that planting crops within rights of way is illegal. Plantings pose a safety concern as crops can block motorists' vision and create other safety problems, transit officials say.

State law also prohibits plowing and tilling in rights of way—including driving lanes, shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections—which they say can lead to erosion that adversely affects the environment.

Public right-of-way

"Public right-of-way" means the area on, below, or above a public roadway, highway, street, cartway, bicycle lane, and public sidewalk in which the local government unit has an interest, including other dedicated rights-of-way for travel purposes and utility easements of local government units.

A public right-of-way does not include the airwaves above a public right-of-way with regard to cellular or other nonwire telecommunications or broadcast service, according to a news release.

“Our roadway technicians are knowledgeable and willing to help landowners adopt practices that enhance safety and the environment,” said Steve Lund, state maintenance engineer, in a statement. “The goal of these restrictions is to ensure safety and to protect roadside environments.”

For further information regarding roadway regulations, or assistance in identifying right of way boundaries on a state highway, contact Mark Renn, (320) 223-6522 or mark.renn@state.mn.us.

Image via Wonderlane, Flickr, used under Creative Commons