Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/01/1999

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources DNR Waters - Metro Region, 1200 Warner Road, St. ?aul, MN 55106-6793 Telephone: (612) 772-7910 Fax: (612) 772-7977 March 16, 1998 Terry Luke 14250 Bowers Drive NW Ramsey, M2N 55303 EROSION PROTECTION, MISSISS~PI RIVER, CITY OF RAMSEY, ANOKA COUNTY Dear Mr. Luke: Thank for having me out on your property on March 13 to inspect the erosion problems that you and your neighbors are facing. This letter 'is to clarify issues that we discussed. The Mississippi River in the Metro area has been designated as a Critical Area River for nearly 20 years and more recently has been included as a unit in the National Park System as the Mississippi National River and Recreational Area (MN-RRA). That part of the River in Ramsey and Dayton have the added distinction of being in the state Wild and Scenic River program. The River earns such protection due to, among other things, its outstanding natural and scenic values. We are pleased that you wish to put the time and resources into protecting the banks fi-om further erosion and think that it can be done while allowing for the "natural and scenic" qualities of the River to remain intact or be restored. By simply protecting the toe of the slope with natural rock riprap placed on filter fabric over a 3:1 (horizontal:vertical) slope you will have solved the majority of the problem. As we discussed, you probably don't need to fiprap up further than the elevation of a typical Spring flow. To continue the rock higher than that will unnecessarily scar the landscape and be a waste of rock. Above the rock, I would establish native grasses, shrubs, and trees. Also any disturbance to the bluff' should be stabili~.ed and revegetated to grow naturally. After thinking about it, I would personally leave the top of the bluff'alone after stabilizing the toe of the slope. I have seen very few slope failures even in high water when the toe is well protected. To give you an idea of the kind of policies that are associated with the Mississippi in your area, the following come fi-om the MNRRA plan: Provide uninterrupted vegetated shorelines where practical along the Mississippi... to preserve a natural look from the river and the opposite shore and to provide connections to adjacent natural areas. DNR lnformalion: 612-296-6157.1-800-766-6000 · 'I-FY: 612-296-5484. 1-800-657-3929 An Equal Opponunily Employer Who Va ue~ D versil¥ Primed on Recycled Paper Camaining a Minimum of lO.q Po~t-Con~umer Wu~te 31