04-04-2012 Planning Commission Work Session

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Healthy Shorelines So What's the Problem? There are many shorelines where the banks were long ago stripped of the native plant community, including trees and shrubs,and converted to turf grass-type lawns.The loss of this vegetation encourages soil erosion and nutrients to flow directly to the lake. As these practices spread around a lake,there are fewer areas left to treat runoff water and provide habitat.Studies of Minnesota lakes have shown that the removal of natural vegetation near the shoreline reduces the amount of habitat available to songbirds and amphibians and reduces fish-nesting. Many of these problems could be prevented or minimized if an area of native plants is maintained or restored. Shoreland ordinances allow a limited number of trees and shrubs to be cleared to accommodate stairways and access paths. However,the applicable standard for such removal is that the screening of structures,vehicles or other facilities as viewed from the water may not be substantially reduced. Dead or diseased vegetation can be removed although they may be important for songbirds and other wildlife.Invasive species can be an overwhelming problem both on the shore and in the water.The local zoning office or DNR area hydrologist should be contacted for guidance before proceeding with any lakeshore alterations or removal of live vegetation. What Can You Do? •Protect the health of the vegetation growing on your property. •Invasive species tend to spread rapidly.Learn to identify the most common invasive species. k Invasives should be removed,but replanting native species may be needed to protect shorelines ' Ui from erosion. ' . t ' ' •Use herbicides that are labeled for an aquatic site or use a more precise method of application, -, like a wick applicator or a cotton glove over the top of a chemical resistant glove to apply the s product only to those plants you want to control. • Leave vegetation in place to screen structures,vehicles or other facilities as viewed from the water. -- ==a - . • •Consider leaving dead or diseased vegetation in place as they may be important for songbirds and other wildlife. •Most importantly,leave an area of native plants between the house and the shoreline area.Limit the removal of trees and shrubs. • If you have been mowing near the shoreline,simply discontinue that practice to allow growth of native plants or restore and replant with native flowers,shrubs or trees. Contact the local Soil and Water Conservation District,DNR area hydrologist or your county zoning office to get assistance. There are also a number of books and"on-line tools"(Restore Your Shore http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/restoreyourshore/in- dex.html and Score Your Shore http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/scoreyourshore/index.html)and other literature available to help you support shorelines that promote healthy lakes and streams and the biotic communities that depend on them. Glossary of Terms Shore Impact Zone: land located between the waterbody and one-half of the structure setback Bluff Impact Zone: bluff and land located within 20 feet from the top of a bluff Steep Slopes: land having an average slope greater than 12 percent Runoff: precipitation or snow melt,which is not intercepted by vegetation,absorbed in soil,or evaporated,that moves over the land surface to streams,lakes,ditches,and depressions in the ground DNR Contact Information DNR Information Center Twin Cities:(651)296-6157 MIt111eSOfa DNR Ecological and Water Resources Minnesota toll free: 1-888-646-6367 website and a listing of Area Hydrologists: Telecommunication device for the deaf(TDD):(651)296-5484 htt JImndnr.govlwaters TDD toll free: 1-800-657-3929 DNR Ecological and Water Resources 500 Lafayette Road,Box 32 Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota DEPARTMENT OF St.Paul,MN 55155 Department of Natural Resources is available regardless of race,color, NATURAL RESOURCES (651)259-5100 national origin,sex,sexual orientation,marital status,status with regard • to public assistance,age,or disability.Discrimination inquiries should be This information is available in an sent to Minnesota DNR,500 Lafayette Road,St.Paul,MN 55155-4049;or alternative format on request. the Equal Opportunity Office,Department of the Interior,Washington,DC v 2012 State of Minnesota.Department of Natural Resources 20240. Healthy Shorelines, February 2012 Page 2 of 2