Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
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Have a shoreland ordinance approved by the DNR for consistency with the shoreland rules(MR 6120.2500-06120.3900). |
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Adopt the Alternative Shoreland Standards or similar higher performance standards approved by the DNR that exceed the minimum standards of the shoreland rules. |
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Document 60-75% forested shoreland; or achieve 2 Star rating along with one or both of the following: (1) a menu of mitigation measures, one or more of which are to be used in approving shoreland variances; (2) requirements for restoring the shore impact zone with natural vegetation and permanently protecting that vegetation (easement, deed restrictions, or other equally protective measures) for all land use permits. |
Resources
- NOTE: This BPA previously included floodplain and NFIP guidance which was moved to BPA 19.8 in 2021. You may continue to find action reports related to floodplains listed under this BPA.
- Waters subject to shoreland rules are public waters basins 10 acres or larger or public waters streams draining more than two square miles. For assistance crafting shoreland standards/ordinances, contact your area DNR hydrologist.
- See the MN DNR's Shoreland Management Model Ordinance.
- If 75% of lakeshore remains mainly forested the chance of maintaining lake quality is good, according to the MN Dept. of Natural Resources (2015). But when natural cover falls below 60%, lake water quality begins to deteriorate.
- For example, Aitkin County ordinance requires mitigation for variances in shoreland.
- Include light falling on water in the ordinance, as this impacts both water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Use the International Dark-Sky Association Light Pollution Effects on Wildlife and Ecosystems guide. See the GreenStep Dark Skies best practices for more.
Order Number
4
Action Type
Finite