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Forming a Lake Improvement District by Citizen Petition, September 2023 1 <br /> <br />Forming a Lake Improvement District by Citizen Petition <br />Purpose <br />This document provides information for citizens interested in forming a Lake Improvement District (LID) by <br />citizen petition. It provides information on how to scope a lake improvement plan, build community support, <br />and submit a LID proposal to the DNR. In addition to this overview, this packet includes: <br />• LID Glossary of Terms <br />• LID Submittal Checklist <br />• LID Proposal Template with Instructions <br />• Sample Resolution of LID Establishment <br />What is a Lake Improvement District (LID)? <br />A Lake Improvement District (LID), as defined by Minnesota Rules 6115.0920 Subpart 7, is: <br />“a district formed around a lake in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 103B.501 to 103B.581. <br />A lake improvement district is a local unit of government established by resolution of appropriate county <br />boards and/or city governing bodies, or by the commissioner [DNR], for the implementation of defined <br />lake management projects and for the assessment of the costs thereof.” <br />In short, LIDs are a special purpose type of government formed to pursue and fund programs or projects to <br />address lake health problems, restore native habitat, or otherwise improve a lake. As such, it has some but not <br />all the powers of a standard government and is always under the governance of the city or county with <br />jurisdiction (the ‘parent government’). <br />LID Powers & Limitations <br />Powers <br />LIDs can only pursue programs and projects related to the lake AND only for projects and programs that it has <br />been authorized to pursue. This authorization comes from the parent government when it issues a resolution of <br />establishment for the LID. For example, a LID could pursue shoreland restoration projects because they are <br />related to the lake. It could also pursue forest restoration away from the lake if the restoration improved the <br />lake (for example, if it reduced nutrient runoff into the lake). In both cases, these activities would have to be <br />authorized in the resolution of establishment. However, if the resolution of establishment only authorized the <br />214