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the owners of nonconforming structures, and allows for their continued use, including repair, replacement, restoration, <br />maintenance, or improvement. Under the MRCCA rules, local governments may allow the lateral expansion of legally <br />nonconforming principal structures such as homes, as long as they do not expand further into required setbacks from <br />the river and bluff. <br />Land Alteration Standards (Grading & Filling) <br />Land alteration in areas near water and on steep slopes increases the risk of soil erosion and the movement of sediment <br />into water. A new local government permit is required for the following land alteration activities: <br />Any activity that disturbs more than 10 cubic yards or 1,000 square feet of soil within the shore impact zone or <br />within 50 feet of a public water, wetland, or natural drainage way, whichever is greater. <br />Erosion control projects and repair & maintenance of existing structures in the bluff impact zone. All other <br />activities are prohibited in the bluff impact zone. <br />Riprap, retaining walls or other erosion control structures to correct an established erosion problem as <br />determined by the local government. There are specific design standards and conditions for constructing these <br />structures. The construction of structures below the ordinary high water level would continue to require a DNR <br />permit or approval. <br /> <br />Vegetation Removal & Management Standards <br /> <br />Retaining vegetation along the river and on slopes is <br />Figure 1. Intensive removal of vegetation in prohibited in <br />important to stabilize soil and to slow, absorb, and filter <br />protected areas. <br />stormwater before it runs into the river. Vegetation is <br />also important for retaining the scenic qualities of the <br />river. Local MRCCA regulations include a new <br />vegetation permit and standards for protecting and <br />managing vegetation. <br />Landscaping & Maintenance Activities that DO NOT <br />Require a Permit: <br />Maintenance of existing lawns, landscaping and <br />gardens; <br />Removal of vegetation in emergency situations as <br />determined by the local government; <br />The removal of isolated individual trees or shrubs <br />that are not in a contiguous patch, strip, row, or <br />block and that does not substantially reduce the <br />tree canopy or understory cover. <br />Prohibited Vegetation Removal Activities <br />The intensive removal of all or a majority of the trees or <br />shrubs in a contiguous patch, strip, row, or block in <br />protected areas - the shore impact zone, bluff impact <br />zone, within 50 feet of a wetland or natural drainage <br />way or of native plant communities and significant <br />existing vegetative stands - is prohibited. Figure 1 shows <br />some of these protected areas – protected areas are <br />shown in color. Note that isolated trees and shrubs may <br /> <br />be removed in protected areas without a permit. <br /> 01/13/2020 <br /> <br />