Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/01/1999

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources DNK Waters -Metro Region, 1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106-6793 Telephone: (612) 772-7910 Pax: (612) 772-7977 1VIarch 16, 1998 Terry Luke 14250 Bowers Drive NW Ramsey, MN 55303 EKOSION PROTECTION, MISSISSIPPI ~ CITY OF KAMSEY, 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 (NINKRA). That part of the Kiver 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 from 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 riprap up further than the elevation ora typical Spring flow. To conHrme the rock higher than that will unuecessarily 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 stabilized and revegetated to grow naturally. After thinking about it, I would personally leave the top of the bluffalone 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 from the/vINKRA 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 lntbrmaHon: 612-296-6157. 1-800-766-6000 · TTY: 612-296-5484, 1-800-657-3929 An Equal Opportunity Emplo}¢r 4~r Prin~cd on Recycled Paper Conminlng a Wh. Value, Diver,.v ~ e~ Minmmum uf I[JC~ Pu,i-Con,umct Wa~e 55