Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/23/2021

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Protection and management of shoreland areas is key to maintaining the beneficial uses of surface waters in the LRRWMO. Stable, vegetated shoreland areas preserve filter pollutants, slow runoff, and create habitat. The LRRWMO member cities implement shoreland protections through standalone shoreland ordinances and/or zoning requirements. The MDNR has established minimum shoreland protection requirements based on lake classifications (see Table 3-6): • Natural Environment Lakes (NE) — Usually have less than 15 total acres, less than 60 acres per mile of shoreline, and less than three dwellings per mile of shoreline. They have some winterkill of fish; may have shallow, swampy shoreline; and are less than 15-feet deep. • Recreational Development Lakes (RD) — Usually have between 60 and 225 acres of water per mile of shoreline, between 3 and 25 dwellings per mile of shoreline and are more than 15-feet deep. • General Development Lakes (GD) — Usually have more than 225 acres of water per mile of shoreline, between 3 and 25 dwellings per mile of shoreline and are more than 15-feet deep. The MDNR lake shoreline classification system is intended to help local governments appropriately regulate development in shoreland areas adjacent to each lake. The LRRWMO member cities also maintain "Wild and Scenic River Ordinances" that serve similar purposes to shoreland ordinances specific to the Rum River. More information about the management of Wild and Scenic Rivers is available from the MDNR at: tt : .; sic i / ®I.... sonic/in x. The cities of Ramsey and Anoka also maintain local controls to regulative development activity within the Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area (MRCCA), a 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi River including the LRRWMO. MRCCA protections established by the MDNR are implemented through local governments. More information about the MRCCA and associated critical area regulations is available at: tt.:// r.st t . ,t-,rs/t*r t s cti. ° I r/° -x. t The Rum River and adjacent lands provide habitat for many species. White-tailed deer, gray and fox squirrels, cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, beavers, minks, muskrats, raccoons, loons, great blue herons, songbirds, and waterfowl are a few of the animals found along the Rum River. Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleyes can be found in the Rum River. Through its Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program (NHNRP), the MDNR collects, manages, and interprets information about rare natural features, native plants and plant communities, and nongame animals, including endangered, threatened, and special concern species. As part of the NHNRP, the MDNR maintains the Natural Heritage Information System (NHIS) as a statewide database of these resources. The MDNR limits publication of spatial attributes and locations of these items to protect rare features or species from damage or collection. 2-37