Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 08/04/2014

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that pose risks. The purpose of requiring a permit is to connect property owners with a qualified person who can guide these activities to minimize negative impacts to water quality and habitat. When and in which areas would a permit be required for land alteration? A permit would be required for any activity that disturbs more than 5- 10 cubic yards or 250 — 3,000 square feet of soil in the following areas: • In the shore impact zone - 50% of the structure setback from the river • Within 50 feet of a public water, wetland, or natural drainage way • In a slope preservation zone — areas with slopes greater than 18 %, including land within 20 feet of these areas. • In a bluff impact zone — areas with slopes greater than 30% including land within 20 feet of these areas. Disturbance activity exceeding these levels in these areas must use temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control measures sufficient to retain sediment onsite. Except for a limited number of exceptions, land alteration is not allowed in slope and bluff preservation zones. Local governments would have the authority to attach conditions to the permit that would minimize environmental impacts. What if 1 need riprap or retaining walls? The construction or replacement of riprap, retaining walls, and bioengineering systems are considered a form of land alteration that would also require a permit in the following areas: • In the shore impact zone - 50% of the structure setback from the river • In a slope preservation zone — areas with slopes greater than 18 %, including land within 20 feet of these areas. • In a bluff impact zone — areas with slopes greater than 30 %, including land within 20 feet of these areas. Riprap, retaining walls or other "hard armoring" can only be used to correct an erosion problem that cannot be controlled through vegetation or a bioengineered system (as determined by the local government). Patios and retaining walls would be allowed in slope preservation zones that don't abut the river, a bluff, or natural drainageway, as long as slope stability is maintained, and the project is not readily visible from the river. When and in which areas would a permit be required for vegetation management? A permit is also proposed for removal of tree canopy or other natural vegetative cover that reduces cover more than 5 -15 percent or more than 1,000 — 5,000 square feet, whichever is less, in the following areas: • In the shore impact zone - 50% of the structure setback from the river. Comments are requested on the specific amount of disturbance activity that should trigger the permit - please suggest a specific number within the highlighted range of numbers, or some other number you feel is more appropriate. Comments are requested on the specific amount of vegetation removal that should trigger the permit — please suggest a specific number within the highlighted range of numbers, or some other number you feel is more appropriate. Minnesota DNR- Division of Ecological &Water Resources — 06/02/14