Ramsey Resident - 2017 - March/April

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Minnesota DNR Adopts New Development Rules Along the Mississippi River The Minnesota DNR has adopted new rules per- requirements. taining to new construction for owners along and near The rules do not affect the type of vegetation a prop- the shoreline of the Mississippi River.Below are several erty owner can plant and do not require restoration of frequently asked questions with responses from the DNR. natural vegetation on a property that does not currently The following information is provided by the Minnesota have it.Activities such as lawn and garden maintenance are DNR. not restricted.The rules do,however,prohibit intensive The MRCCA is a land corridor along the Mississippi vegetation clearing in sensitive areas,including along the River in the seven-county metro area where there are spe- river, on bluffs,and within native plant communities and cial land use regulations that guide development activity. other significant vegetative stands.Exceptions to these The corridor extends 72 miles along the Mississippi River restrictions are allowed through local government permit from the cities of Ramsey and Dayton in the north,to the in some situations. city of Hastings and Ravenna Township in the south. It For more information,please visit www.cityoframsey. includes 54,000 acres of land along both sides of the river. com/shoreland,email planning@cityoframsey.com,or call The State of Minnesota created the corridor and land man- the Community Development Department at 763-433- agement regulations in 1976.Local governments admin- 9824. ister the regulations through their local plans and zoning codes. The revised rules are the result of an extensive public Oak Wilt participation process.Beginning in 2009,and continu- ing through two different rulemaking efforts,the DNR Oak wilt is a devastating consulted with local governments,multiple interest groups disease of oak trees caused by a ►= and property owners to develop the draft rules.Rule fungus that moves through a tree's development culminated in a formal public input pro- vascular system. When oak trees are actively growing, cess,consisting of a public comment period,three public the fungus is present,and the insects that can transport hearings,response to public comments,and review by an the fungus from one oak to another are also active. This Administrative Law Judge. is considered the`High Risk'time period for oak wilt. Rules for protecting bluffs and steep slopes,managing In Minnesota,this typically begins in April and extends vegetation,altering land,and protecting key resources into July. If there is any pruning work that needs to be as part of new development and redevelopment will be done on oak trees,it should be completed before the end changing.The revised rules do not impact any regulation of March to help protect against infection. of water surface use,such as no wake zones,boating restric- Trees in the Red Oak Family,which are the oaks tions,or dock regulations. The rules will not take effect that have leaves with pointed tips,have the potential to immediately,but rather will be implemented over several develop fungal spore pads. If a tree in the Red Oak Fam- years.The City will need to update its Comprehensive ily died from oak wilt last year,that tree should either Plan and Zoning Code.The Minnesota DNR will allow be removed from the property or cut into firewood size several years for this process to be completed. pieces,stacked,and covered with 4-6 millimeter thick With any Zoning Code change,any lawfully estab- plastic before April 1. The edges of the plastic should be lished lot,structure,or use that does not conform to the buried about 2 inches into the ground to create a tight new standards becomes legally nonconforming,or"grand- seal. The wood should remain covered throughout this fathered."Minnesota Statutes protect the rights of the growing season. After that,it can be uncovered and used owners of such nonconformities and allows their contin- for firewood. ued use.The new rules have been designed to minimize If you have any question regarding oak wilt,please the creation of new nonconforming structures.Some contact City Planning at 763-433-9817 or canderson@ nonconformities will result from an increase in setback cityoframsey.com.