Publications to Assist Property Owners in Protecting Wetland and Shoreline Environments (306-13-09)

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    Minnesotas Lake Superior Coastal Program

    Final Report:

    Publications to Assist Property Owners in ProtectingWetland & Shoreland Environments

    Eric StollerSt. Louis County Planning & Development Department

    February 26, 2010Project No.306-13-09

    Contract No. B03567

    This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAAs

    Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesotas

    Lake Superior Coastal Program.

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    INTRODUCTIONIn 2007, the Lake Superior Costal Program awarded a grant to the Planning &

    Development Department of St. Louis County, Minnesota (the department) to produceshoreland and wetland guides. These guides will assist property owners and developers in

    the Coastal Zone, as well as other areas, to make improvements to their property in ways

    that protect these important environments.

    The Wetland Guide is comprised of a series of guides for different wetland types and

    complements an earlier publication prepared by the department. It provides detailedinformation on identification of wetland types, agencies involved in wetland regulation

    and protection, and strategies to avoid wetland impacts. The Shoreland Guide provides

    information on the importance of the shore impact zone, rules and regulations that govern

    development within that zone, and strategies to enhance riparian environments.

    WORK COMPLETEDWetland Guide: Research was conducted with partner agencies to determine the most

    appropriate classification system to use in the guide. Once this was determined, an

    outline was produced, text was developed, and images were created and assembled.Drafts of the guide received extensive review from wetland specialists in the department

    and in partnering agencies. A limited run of printed guides was produced and distribution

    will begin shortly. The digital version of the guide will be distributed through the

    departments website and through partner agencies.

    Shoreland Guide: This guide was more straightforward and its development was guided

    largely through the departments in-house expertise in shoreland development. The workcompleted is similar to that for the Wetland Guide.

    RESULTSThe project resulted in the production of Shoreland Guide and Wetland Guide that will

    assist property owners and developers to make legal and environmentally responsibleimprovements to their property. It is expected that as the guides are distributed and used,

    property owners will become more knowledgeable about how to avoid negative impacts

    to wetlands and shoreland areas. The guides will also provide contact information for

    additional resources and technical assistance.

    The process of producing the guides helped the department refine its approach to the

    development of instructional videos and the production of those videos is underway.

    PARNTERNSHIPSNone to report.

    LEVERAGED DOLLARSNone to report.

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    CONCLUSIONS

    Lessons Learned: Conducting the research to determine the proper wetland classificationsystem to use delayed the project timeline, but resulted in the guide being more accurate

    and useful. It also led to the decision that separate guides for each of the six major

    wetland types would better serve the intended audience. Another benefit is bettercoordination with other wetland agencies.

    Unexpected Challenges: The science of wetlands continues to evolve. To keep the guidesrelevant, regular review and updates of current knowledge will be required. As the

    Shoreland Guide was in development, the states rules that govern development in such

    areas were being rewritten, and are not yet complete as of this report. The Shoreland

    Guide incorporates information based on staff members best understanding of what thenew rules are likely to require. However, like the Wetland Guide, it will need to be

    reviewed and updated periodically.

    Newly Identified Needs: While the guides will do an excellent job of explaining complex

    issues related to property development, we became aware of the need to provide

    information in multiple formats. The increasing ease of producing and providing digitalvideo compelled the department to begin production of videos that explain and illustrate

    some of the information provided in the guides.

    Building on Our Success: Aggressive marketing and distribution of the guides will helpensure their use and value to the intended audience. By completing and distributing the

    video resource currently under development, the department will extend the reach of this

    important information.

    PERFORMANCE INDICATORS CHECKLIST

    See attached document.

    APPENDICESAttached are copies of the materials produced through these grants. Electronic copies of

    the documents were sent with the electronic copy of this report.

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    A comprehensive property owners Guide

    s h o r e l a n d g u i d eF O R S T . L O U I S C O U N T Y , M N

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    S h O R e L a N d g U I d ea comprehensive property owners guide

    Planning and Development DepartmenSt. Louis Count

    Minneso

    US

    This guide is intended to provide general guidance or developing shoreland property.Each project may have special circumstances that require additional planning. Contact theSt. Louis County Planning and Development Department or more inormation.

    Otinin t gui:Copies o this guide are available at no cost to all residents. Requests or large numbers oguides should be directed to St. Louis County Planning and Development. Large requestsmay be charged a minimal ee to cover printing and reproduction.

    Tis projct s fun in prt y:

    Coastal Zone Management Act

    NOAAs Oice o Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation withMinnesotas Lake Superior Coastal Program.

    Prouc y:St. Louis County Planning and Development Department100 Missabe Building227 West First StreetDuluth, MN 55802(218) 725 5000

    Toll Free Minnesota 1 800 450 9777

    Risions:Revised 2 2010

    2St. Louis County, MN Shoreland Guid

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    TabLe OF CONTeNTS

    INTROdUCTIONOverview o Shoreland Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4

    Tips or using this Guide

    Zoning OrdinanceComprehensive Land Use Plan

    SUCCeSSFUL PaRCeL deveLOPMeNTPurchasing Shoreland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5

    Things to ConsiderChecklist or Purchasing Shoreland Property

    Shoreland Benets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6Sustainable Ecosystems

    Shoreland Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7Protection MethodsVegetative Removal Standards

    Governmental Enorcement ProgramsIdentiying the Shoreland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 8

    Shoreland AreasBlufsSetbacks and Impact Zones

    Impact Sensitive Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9Bluf Characteristics and StandardsVegetative Bufer

    Obtaining Further Inormation . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10Legal InormationSplitting and Consolidating ParcelsNonconorming Lots o RecordOther Shoreland Contacts

    ZONINgJurisdiction and Zoning Districts . . . . . . . . . . . page 11

    Lot Design and Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 12

    Building or Remodeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13

    Roads & Land Alterations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14Driveway accessParkingShoreland Alterations

    Obtaining Permits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 15

    Contact InormationPermitsLand Use PermitsConditional Use PermitsSewage Treatment SystemsUtilities

    Permit Sketches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 16Drawing Your SketchSketch Examples

    General Setbacks and Standards . . . . . . . . . . . page 17General Setbacks

    Road SetbacksDimensional Standards

    dISTRICT ZONINgLand Use Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 18

    Lakeshore Commercial Overlay (LCO)Residential (RES)

    Land Use Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 19Land Use StandardsLimited Industrial Use (LIU)Forest Agricultural Management (FAM)

    Sensitive (SENS)

    Lake Superior Overlay (LSO)Shoreland Mixed Use (SMU)

    weTLaNdSCharacteristics and Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 21

    Sequencing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22

    Classiy and Identiy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 23Floodplain ForestsSeasonally Saturated BasinsOpen WatersOpen Conierous Bog

    Classiy and Identiy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 24

    Shrub CarrHardwoodConierous SwampWetland Plants

    STRUCTURe STaNdaRdSPrincipal & Accessory Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . page 25

    Structure StandardsHomes & CabinsDecks & Platorms

    Accessory Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 26Garages & Pole BuildingsBunkhousesBoat Houses

    Gazebos and Screen HousesSaunasStorage & Fish Cleaning Buildings

    Septics, Wells & Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 27Sewage Treatment SystemsWells and Sae WaterOther Utilities

    3 St. Louis County, MNShoreland Guide

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    INTROdUCTION

    eYS TO SUCCeSSFULhOReLaNd deveLPMeNT:

    Follow the directions inthis guide and keep it or areerenceKeep good records o yourproperty, including extendedplans and ideas and reer

    to them when you makeimprovements or changesKnow your property sboundaries and make sure tomaintain its markersCheck to see i permits arerequired beore you start aprojectKnow who administers youroningKnow the oning restrictions othe property, i they have beenupdated, and i there are addedrestrictions to your lakeshore,rivers, wetlands, or blus

    Know your watershed and beaware o storm water runoon your propertyTake an active part in yourcommunitys comprehensiveland development andplanning

    gUIde OveRvIewThis guide provides easy to understand inorma-tion about sustainable shoreland practices whichimprove management o St. Louis Countys lakesand rivers.

    whO IT IS deSIgNed FORThis shoreland guide is designed to be used by St.Louis County property owners, contractors and

    proessional associates as a reerence to developand maintain shoreland property. The ShorelandGuide oers an eective, low cost means to reachpeople who make the everyday decisions that im-pact our lakes and rivers.

    This guide is also directed toward shoreland stew-ards who have an interest in county lakes and riv-ers, including resource managers, educators, andvolunteers.

    The standards in this guide are in accordance withthe regulations in the St. Louis County Zoning Or-dinance and Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Theseregulations have been developed and revised bygovernment bodies to reduce negative impactson the environment while allowing or develop-

    ment and economic growth.

    The gOveRNINg PRINCIPLeS aNd dOCUMeNTS

    The St. Louis County Zoning Ordinance is a ledocument adopted by the county within the reglations and standards set by the State o Minnsota. The zoning ordinance divides the land inland use zones and applies regulations or permted use o the land and the placement o all stru

    tures. The ordinance is intended to encourage tmost appropriate use o land and to recognize apreserve the economic and environmental valuo all lands within the county.

    The St. Louis County Comprehensive Land UPlan pertains to the policies and interrelated plaor private and public land use, transportatioand community acilities.

    Shoreland GuiSt. Louis County, MN 4

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    SUCCeSSFUL PaRCeL deveLOPMeNT

    PURChaSINg ShOReLaNdThe purchase and development o property is o-ten one o the biggest investments in a personslie, and there are many considerations.

    deSIRed USe OF The PROPeRTY: The irst andmost important consideration is the desired use othe shoreland property. Will it be a wilderness re-treat to get away, or a riendly rural neighborhoodto enjoy nature and water related activities? Think-ing this through will save many rustrations. It is a

    good idea to spend time in the area and to gatherinormation about the water body and surround-ing resources. Various government agencies, in-cluding state, county, and local government canprovide such inormation.

    PROPeRTY ZONINg: Beore shoreland propertyis purchased, a prospective owner should conirmit is zoned or the desired use, whether that is aseasonal cabin, year round home, resort or ma-rina.

    LOT SIZe:The lot should be large enough to ac-commodate the desired use and that use shouldcomply with the local zoning requirements. Lotsthat have been created beore the standards

    took eect are legal to buy and sell, but may betoo small to accommodate a building or sewagetreatment system.

    LOT ShaPe: Although the size o the parcel maymeet zoning requirements, the shape can re-strict the use and location o the structures. Someshapes may make it impossible to meet require-ments such as setbacks and sewage treatmentsystems.

    SeTbaCKS: When choosing property, be aware othe standard setbacks and plan accordingly.

    LaNd SURFaCeS aNd eLevaTIONS: Be aware olood plains, high water levels, bedrock and blus.Know the required setbacks or these eatures andi they will impact a planned building site, a base-ment, or a sewage treatment system.

    SOIL CONdITIONS:The soils should be suitableor the desired use. Wet soils, shallow bedrock orclay soils are generally unsuitable or the waterabsorption required in sewage treatment systems,

    and can make building construction diicult. Fillthat is added to wetlands is regulated by the DNR,County, and U.S. Army Corps o Engineers. The costand questionable outcome o trying to develop inthese areas may not be worth the eort.

    vegeTaTION: Plants are part o the aesthetic andecological value o shoreland property. Local zon-ing ordinances regulate the amount o vegetationthat can be removed along the shoreline. Tilling isnot allowed unless it is under an approved con-servation plan. I a sandy swimming beach is adesired eature, you should look or a parcel thatalready has one.

    weTLaNdS: There are many types o wetlands

    that perorm dierent, valuable unctions. Theyalso have dierent standards o protection romalteration and use. Contact the Planning and De-velopment Department to identiy these areas.

    UTILITIeS: Find out what utilities are available atthe property and building site.

    hIddeN aNd OTheR COSTS: Consider someo the sometimes hidden costs, such as buildingand maintaining (including snow removal) a roadto the site, drilling a well, bussing and distance toschool districts, and closest conveniences.

    CheCk list for purCha

    undeveloped land

    Is your intended use perin the land use district?(land use descriptions cound on pages 18 20)

    Do you know where theproperty lines are? (See10 or urther inormat

    Is the site compatible wyour intended use?(Remember to check thability o utilities, legal access, soil type, setbaconing standards.)

    Are there activities presallowed in the area thatbe undesirable to you?(gravel pits, dog kenneldusty roads)

    Is the road owned andmaintained by a governagency?

    CheCk list for purCha

    developed land:

    Are the improvements yhave planned within thstandards set in the onordinance?

    Has there been a sewagtreatment system inspe

    and water quality test? Do you know the utility

    property tax costs or thtwo years?

    Have you met the newneighbors?

    Shoreland Guide St. Louis County, MN5

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    beNeFITS OF a PROTeCTed ShOReLaNd

    Protecting your shoreland includes the ollowingeatures and beneits:

    Undisturbed vegetative strips along all theshoreline reduces and slows runo and ilters theremaining runo.

    Healthy wetland complexes contribute to goodwater quality.

    Floodplains absorb storm water runo, maintainwater quality, secure vegetative diversity, provide wildlie habitat, and contribute aestheticqualities.

    Diverse plant communities and healthy aquaticand upland habitats result rom sensitive devel

    Development that ollows established best maagement practices and land use standards mimizes negative eects on the natural enviroment.

    Sustainable outdoor recreational pursuits allopeople to enjoy the outdoors without damagithe environment.

    An untouched or natural look to landscapisustains scenic value and visual quality.

    SUCCeSSFUL PaRCeL deveLOPMeNT

    B Mm pcc (BMp):

    BMPs have been established for nearly

    all activities that have potential impact

    to the shoreland. Voluntary compliance

    with BMPs, in addition to the setbacks, lot

    sizes, and other requirements mandatedby local zoning, will help achieve a healthy

    shoreland area.

    UNdeRSTaNdINg ShOReLaNdbeNeFITSOver time, the waterront environment has devel-oped a natural, delicate balance between water,land, vegetation, and wildlie. This balance caneasily be disrupted by humans who rearrange,pollute or destroy any component o this equi-librium. Shoreland property owners have theprivilege and the responsibility to preserve anddevelop their land in harmony with the naturalenvironment. Owners can maintain a high qualityand sustainable relationship with their environ-ment.

    pollutants

    pollutants

    Aquaticlie andhealthywater

    No erosioncontrolRuno wasteGround waterpollutantscontributingto the lake,contaminatingwater

    Sewage system

    SewagesystembelowstandardsHouse tooclose to blucausingerosion andlack o waterltration

    Articialbeachdestroysnaturalhabitat

    Impervioussuraceallows noltration owater

    Dock andstairway helpavoid impact,enjoyed byswimmersand boaters

    Filter stripkeepsshorelinestable,healthyand scenic

    Runo andpollutantsiltered andabsorbed byilter strip

    PollutedwaterNoaquaticlieexceptalgae

    Fertilier onshorelineplants leachinto lake,stimulatingexcessalgaeExcessAnimals

    sewage system

    Dwellingis screenedrom lake

    Sufcientsewagesystem

    Standardsetbacksrespected

    sustainable shoreland ecosystempromotes a healthy community,environment, and economy.

    unsustainable shoreland ecosystemdoes not promote a healthy community,

    environment, and economy.

    Vegetation notmaintained

    uides are available onmPs, including the ollowing

    ubjects. Contact the Minnesotaxtension Service. (See p. 10 orontact inormation.)Beaches, Boating and Fishing,Camping, Oroad Vehicles,Preventing Introduction o ExoticSpeciesBuilding near the shore, Docks,Decks and Accesses, LandscapingPlansTrees, Vegetation, Filter Strips,Wetlands, Timber Harvesting,Wood Lots, Lawns and Gardens,

    Yard WasteAnimals, Farming and Crops,Pesticides and Fertiliers,Encouraging WildlieSeptic Systems, Sae WaterSupplies, Haardous HouseholdProductsPreventing Erosion, MinimiingRuno, Construction Activities,Developing Landscapes,Alterations and Roads

    opmental plans.

    Shoreland GuiSt. Louis County, MN 6

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    SUCCeSSFUL PaRCeL deveLOPMeNT

    PROTeCTINg The ShOReLaNdActivities that ocus on the waterront are pri-mary reasons people choose to live by a lake orriver. Sustainable shoreland ecosystems promotea healthy community, environment, and econo-

    my by protecting the water quality, the naturalresources, and the shoreline quality.

    waTeR qUaLITY PROTeCTIONWater quality is protected by implementing theseBest Management Practices: Follow land use standards impacting the water-

    shed. Plant and maintain healthy vegetative buer

    along the shoreline. Maintain wetlands.

    NaTURaL ReSOURCe PROTeCTION aNd baL-aNCed LaNd USeCreation o healthy communities where peoplework and live together balanced by protectednatural resources includes: Preservation o natural vegetation and habitats. Implementation o established best manage-

    ment practices. Integration o commercial developments into

    the environment in ways that minimize negativeeects on the natural environment.

    ShOReLINe PROTeCTIONShorelines are vulnerable to impact and are vitalto water quality. The entire shoreland beneits byprotecting the shoreline in the ollowing ways:

    vtti Scrnin: See standards on theright.

    Structurs: Design structures to be ecosensitive,since buildings oten make the most dramatic

    change to the appearance o the shore.Siz: Minimize the overall size o any structure andthe proile acing the water.

    builin Mtrils: Select materials that are nat-ural or have a natural appearance.

    Color: Select earth tones or your structure colorto blend in with the surroundings. Flowers andvegetation hues provide good accent colors.

    accssory Structurs: I an accessory structure isneeded, build only one.

    docks n bot Stor: I these structures arenecessary, limit their impact by keeping the size tominimum standards and designing them to blend

    in with the shoreline.Sorlin altrtion: Any shoreline alterationshould be careully considered, well designed,and approved by the Planning and DevelopmentDepartment.

    alloWed:25% o vegetationremoved evenlyacross impact one

    not alloWed:25% o vegetationremoved as a clearcutopening, and all in ronto house

    originalvegetation

    vegeTaTIve ReMOvaL STaNdaRdS The removal o natural vegetation within theshore and blu impact zones should be limitedto the ollowing:A. The removal o dead, diseased, dangerous,

    and storm or ire damaged trees, shrubs,and plants.

    B. The trimming and pruning o trees, shrubsand plants.

    C. The removal o 25% o trees (greater thantwo inches in diameter at breast height),shrubs and plants.

    D. Authorized removal o trees, shrubs andplants should not be done with heavyequipment.

    exeMPTION TO vegeTaTIve ReMOvaLSTaNdaRdSRemoval in excess o 25% o existing vegetationis allowed, with approval, under the ollowingconditions:A. The vegetation removed is replaced with

    other plants that have similar or more ben-eicial shoreland values (ecological, erosionpreventive, and screening) than previouslyexisted.

    B. The vegetation removed is part o a orestmanagement activity or timber producing

    area and will not to be converted to othermore intensive use.

    state standardst dp f nr prepares mistatewide development staor shoreland, loodplain, aand scenic river areas.t s mP provides ordevelopment o the shorelaprotects lakes and rivers rolution by individual sewagment systems and other nonsources.

    t Fp mP is intended tomie the threat to lie anderty resulting rom loodinprogram restricts developmloodplains by preventingtures rom being built at tan elevation in areas that high risk o looding. It altrols encroachment so thloodplains capacity to howater will not be reduced, looding to properly locatedt W s P is a program in

    to preserve and protect r iveoutstanding scenic, recreanatural, historical, and scvalues.

    Shoreland Guide St. Louis County, MN7

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    SUCCeSSFUL PaRCeL deveLOPMeNT

    ShOReLaNdlossary: Shoreland is identiied as a: The land locat- the land located within a

    within a set distance o public distance o public watersaters as ollows: 1,000 eet rom as ollows: 1,000 eet rom Shoreland Areake or lowage; 300 eet rom river a lake, pond, or lowage;stream. Shoreline300 eet rom a river or River CorridorhWl: Ordinary High Water Level. Setbackstream.pically the level where the wa-r is highest during an averagering thaw. Ordinary High

    s: A set dis Water Levelnce rom the shoreline that (OHWL)stricts development between it IdeNTIFYINg ShORe- River/Streamd the shoreline, or OHWL. LaNd aReaS: Identiica Lake

    ip Z: Measured tion o shoreland areas Shoreandard distance landward rom includes the Ordinary Impacte Ordinary High Water Level o High Water Level (OHWL), Zoneneral development and recre the shore impact zone,onal development lakes. the shoreline setback, house

    ff ip Z: Typically in and the river corridor.udes the blu, or steeply sloped ea, plus 20 eet out rom it.

    Shoreland c: Measured stan-rd distance landward rom the video

    available on this subjectdinary high water level o rivers. www.co.st-louis.mn.us

    i q Ide to ask the Planning & Develop-ent Department. What inorma-

    on might the county ask me or? river corridor Width shoreland setback & imPact ZoneYour parcel ID number and your Vermilion River 500operty address. RIVER, LAKE OR STREAM SHORE SHOR

    St. Louis, Cloquet, 1/4 mile: Remote, Rural Agriculture, Rec SETBACK IMPAWhiteace reational River Classes zON

    1/2 mile: Primitive ClassNatural Environmental Lakes 150 75

    All Other River Class- 300Recreational Development Lakes 100 50essome areas, concerned citiens

    d/or lake associations have in General Development Lakes* 75 50river dimensional standards:rmally established restrictionsMine Pit Lakes 150 75(Includes dimensions or land immediately adjacent to 300r recreational use o surace

    shoreland river districts)ater. Some o these, such as no Trout Streams 150 75ake ones, are intended to help RIVER DIMENSIONAL DISTRICT*

    DNR Remote Rivers 200 100otect water quality. Others areVermilion River Remote 4aore social and are designed to Forest Rivers 150 75

    hance community enjoyment, Vermilion River Forested 5 SLC Primitive 300 150ch as noise reductions, curews,c. Check with your lake or prop St. Louis County Primitive 1a SLC Remote Rivers 200 150

    Primitivety owners association or inor Remote 2SLC Urban 100 75

    Rural Agri-ation on such regulations.

    3aRural Agricultural Rivers 200 150

    cultureRecreation 150 75

    Recreation 4All other Protected Lakes and Rivers 100 75

    * See Dimensional Standards graph on page 17 or correlatingdimensional standards or your district. *May be reduced to 37.5 with perormance standards

    St. Louis County, MN 8 Shoreland Gui

    http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/
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    l i j-

    SUCCeSSFUL PaRCeL deveLOPMeNT

    20 60 15 15 60 20

    croPland runoFF

    control

    managed

    Forest

    undisturbed

    Forest

    stream bottom undisturbed

    Forest

    managed Forest runoFF

    control

    Pastu

    Sediment,ertilier and

    pesticidesare careullymanaged.

    Concen-trated lows

    are convertedto dispersed

    lows.

    Plants ilter,enrich, use

    and modiy thesediments and

    chemicals inruno water.

    Maturing treesstabilie bank,

    provide detritusto stream andlower its water

    temp.

    Debris stabilies creek bottom,releases nutrients and provide

    shelter and cool shade oraquatic dwellers.

    Tree removal isgenerally not

    permitted in thisone.

    Periodic harvesting isnecessary to remove

    nutrients sequesteredin them and to main-tain nutrient uptake

    through vigorous treegrowth.

    Controlledgraing orhaying canbe permit-ted under

    certainconditions.

    Waterinacilitiand livstock a

    kept outthe Ripian zon

    Vegetative buers next to water bodies are impac t sensitive areas.

    IMPaCT SeNSITIve aReaSThese areas have more restrictive standards dueto their sensitivity to impact and their value to the

    ecosystem.vegeTaTIve bUFFeRS: Consideration is givento the vegetative buer strip along rivers, streamsand lakes because their presence shelters, or bu-ers these areas and the waters rom the surround-ing impact.

    bLUFFS: Consideration is givento the blu area because o theirvulnerability to erosion throughruno.

    Characteristics o a blu are:

    Shoreland

    videoava able on th s sub ect

    www.co.stlouis.mn.us Land slopes toward water. Elevation rises a minimum o 25 eet above

    OHWL. Land has a slope o 30% but does not include a

    break in slope, where the slope is less than 18%over a 50 t. run.

    T luff impct zon: This area includes theblu plus the land located within 20 eet rom

    the top o the blu (away rom the shore).Sllo soil luff stnrs: Apply to bluswhere the soil depth over the ledge rock aver-ages 24 inches or less. 150% o structure setbackrequirements with ollowing conditions:

    Suitable area or sewage available. Erosion control standards ollowed. Shore impact zone shall be 1/2 the new struc-

    ture setback. Structures may be placed within standards i all

    the ollowing conditions are met:a. Approved sewage treatment and expansionarea exists.b. Suicient screening and vegetative ilter stripexists.c. Erosion control standards consistent with Soiland Water Conservation District guidelines.

    brk in SlopA break in slope is determined as a slope o 18%or less over 50 eet. Blu impact zone does notapply to these areas.

    St. Louis County, MNShoreland Guide 9

    http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/
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    SUCCeSSFUL PaRCeL deveLOPMeNT

    ossary: f r: A lot which is re-ded in the oice o the county order or registrar o titles. f l f r:

    ot that has been lawully createdd recorded that no longer meetse acreage and width requirementscurrent lots. P b: A map bookt shows each township and par-ownership. m: A propertyner mark placed by a licensedveyor. A public corner monument

    a section or quarter corner landrker that is maintained by the

    nd Survey Division o the Publicorks Department.

    taining legalFormationowing the property boundariesd its dimensions is important orland owners. It is best to keep

    em marked and maintain therks at all times. A County Plat

    ok (resource inormation on theht) can assist in general prop-y layout, but a private, licensedveyor must determine oicial

    undaries. The Land Survey Divi-n o the County Public Works De-rtment maintains all section andarter landmarks and associatedvey records throughout St. Louis

    unty. Most parcel inormation isailable online or rom the countyditors oice. p- must meet current oning stan-

    rds; check with the Planning andvelopment Department or thepropriate township clerk. Namedbdivision plats are available onlinePDF ormat or through the St. Lou-County Recorders Oice. Scannedts include all originals and anyrrangements or modiications.

    bdivision regulation guides areo available.

    ff : Lots o Record may bermitted as a buildable lot i all oe ollowing criteria can be met:he lot has a minimum o 1/2cre suitable or development andewage treatment system, unlessonnection to a municipal sewerystem is available.is a lot o record.

    he lot created complied withgulations in eect at the time.

    ewage treatment and buildingetbacks are met.

    tyPe oF inFormation dePartment & location Web site & PhoneParcel and Tax Inormation St. Louis County Auditor www.co.stlouis.mn.us/auditor/parcelino

    Phone: 2187262380

    County Plat Book St. Louis County AuditorExtension Oice

    www.stlouiscounty.org/MapProducts.htm

    Phone:(218)7255134Extension Oice (218)7332870

    Surveyors See Yellow Pages Surveyors or Engineers orprivate businesses

    Corner Monuments (Public) St. Louis County Public Works www.co.stlouis.mn.us/PublicWorks/SurSurveyor.htmPhone: Duluth: 2186253878Virginia: 2187429800

    Subdivision Plats Recorders Oice www.co.stlouis.mn.us/webplats/Phone: 2187262677

    Ordinance Standards, Land use plan-

    ning, permits and guides

    St. Louis County Planning & Development

    Department100 Missabe Bldg. Northland Oice Cntr.227 W. 1st St. 307 1st St. S.Duluth MN 55802 Virginia, MN 55792

    www.co.stlouis.mn.us

    Phone: 218725500018004509777 (MN only)Phone: 2187497103

    Site reviews or wetlands, OrdinanceStandards, Land use planning, permitsand guides

    St. Louis County Planning and DevelopmentNorthland Oice Center307 1st St. S.Virginia, MN 55792

    www.co.stlouis.mn.usPhone: 2187497103

    18004509777(MN only)Fax: 2187497194

    Wetland regulations on all lands on theFond du Lac Reservation and inorma-tion and support on water quality andother natural resources

    Fond du Lac ReservationOice o Water Protection1720 Big Lake Rd.Cloquet, MN 55720

    Phone: 2188788022Fax: 2188794854

    Regulates deposition o ill or dredgematerial in waters o the U.S. or adjacentwetlands(Work with local contact irst)

    U.S. Army Corps o Engineers1554 Hwy 2. Ste 2Two Harbors, MN 55616

    www.mvp.usace.army.milphonePhone: 2188346630

    State administration o the Mn WetlandsConservation Act(Work with local contact irst)

    State o Minnesota Board o Water & Soil Re-sources (BWSR)394 S. Lake Ave., Ste 403Duluth, MN 55802

    www.bwsr.state.mn.usPhone: 2187234923Fax: 2187234794

    Regulations and permits on publicwaters and some wetland types(Work with local contact irst)

    DNR WatersDuluth Area:1568 Hwy. 2Two Harbors, MN 55616

    Remainder o St. Louis County:7979 Hwy 37Eveleth, MN 55734

    www.dnr.state.mn.usPhone: 2188346612Fax 2188346639

    Phone: 2187447450Fax: 2187447451

    Educational ino in protecting water andnatural resources

    Minnesota Extension Service111 GSC320 W. 2ndDuluth, MN 55802

    www.extension.umn.edu/EnvironmentPhone: 2187267512

    Technical, educational, and inancialresources to land occupiers in order toimplement practices and projects thatpreserve, protect and enhance waterquality and other natural resources

    North St. Louis SWCDNorthland Oice Center307 1st St. S. Ste 114Virginia, MN 55792

    South St. Louis County SWCD25 N. 1st Ave. E., Rm 301Duluth, MN 55802

    www.nslswcd.orgPhone: 2187429505Fax: 2187429515

    www.southstlouisswcd.orgPhone: 2187234867Fax: 2187234731

    Shoreland GuiSt. Louis County, MN 10

    http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/auditor/parcelinfohttp://www.stlouiscounty.org/MapProducts.htmhttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/PublicWorks/Surv/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/webplats/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.mvp.usace.army.milphone/http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/http://www.extension.umn.edu/Environmenthttp://www.nslswcd.org/http://www.southstlouisswcd.org/http://www.southstlouisswcd.org/http://www.nslswcd.org/http://www.extension.umn.edu/Environmenthttp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/http://www.mvp.usace.army.milphone/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/webplats/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/PublicWorks/Surv/http://www.stlouiscounty.org/MapProducts.htmhttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/auditor/parcelinfo
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    ZONINg

    Zoning administrator ZONING administration

    contact inFormation

    s. l c P dpDuluth: (218) 7255000Virginia: (218) 7497103

    71-21

    69-20

    70-2170-20

    71-20

    Kabetogama

    69-19

    70-19

    69-18

    70-18

    69-17

    Township oning administered by St.Louis County

    City and township oning administeredby own oning department

    c tw h4896 Midway Rd. 67-21

    68-21

    53

    67-20

    68-20

    67-19

    68-19

    67-18

    68-18

    Crane Lake67-15

    68-15

    67-14

    68-1468-13

    (218) 7214944 67-13

    d c Z411 W. 1st St., Ste. 210

    66-21

    65-21

    Camp Five66-20

    Leiding Portage

    65-16

    66-16

    65-15

    66-15 66-14

    65-14 65-13

    66-13

    65-12

    66-12

    (218) 7305240ORR

    64-21 64-17 64-16 64-15 64-14 64-13 64-12

    d twp tw h6092 Homestead Rd(218) 5255705

    63-2163-19

    Willow Valley

    Field

    Beatty

    63-17

    63-15Greenwood

    63-14

    ELY

    Morse1169

    COOK 62-1762-21

    Linden Grove53 Owens

    Breitung Eagles Nest

    TOWERtw f g1 61-12

    61-17 61-14 61-13Kugler4355 Evan Rd. Sturgeon AlangoMorcom Vermilion Lake

    73Angora

    60-19 60-18

    (218) 7215433135

    169PikeSandy BABBITT

    FrenchEmbarrass

    60-20

    Waasac f hw59-16

    Wuori HOYT5255 Maple Grove Rd. 59-21 Great Scott White LAKESMT. IRONBalkan

    BIWABIKKINNEY

    (218) 7293600AURORA

    MCKINLEYBUHL

    VIRGINIA Biwabik

    GILBERTEVELETH

    CHISHOLM58-14tw f lw Bassett

    HIBBINGLEONIDAS

    CherryIRON JCT

    57-141932 E. 1st.St. Clinton Fayal 57-16169 37

    310(218) 7281015 61856-17 Colvin 56-14 Fairbanks56-16

    Administered bytw f mwMcdavitt

    53

    55-21 Ault County, City, or55-153467 Lindahl Rd. Ellsburg 55-14Lavell(218) 6241626

    73Township

    Toivola Kelsey Cotton 54-15 54-14 54-13 Pequaywan (from OHWL to landward)

    tw f r l Cedar ValleyElmer MEADOWLANDS Northland North Star Alden53-154107 W. Beyer Rd. Meadowlands 53-16

    (218) 721510152-21 New Independence Gnesen

    Van Buren Ness AlbornNormanna

    Fredenberg Duluth

    Grand LakeFLOODWOODP c h

    Industrial61

    Floodwood Culver 33LakewoodRice Lake

    Canosia73 BROOKSTON

    100 Pionk Dr. HaldenArrowhead

    2 53(218) 6243641DULUTH

    Prairie Lake Fine Lakes Stoney BrookBrevator

    HERMANTOWN Water Level2Solway

    tw f gw PROCTOR35Note: These oning maps are an integral4227 Nelson Rd. Midway

    part o Ordinance 46, the zoningTower, MN 55790 Ordinance o St. Louis County, MN and

    Phone: (218) 2901132 may not be used independently.

    T here are two types o jurisdictions or zoning in additional a b added to sigSt. Louis County: one is administered by St. Louis niy the dimensional standards or parcel sizeCounty and the other is administered by its own o that district. Thus, every zoning district is lacity or township zoning department. I your city or beled with an abbreviated name (e.g. Residen-township is designated on this map as having its tial: RES, Shoreline Mixed Use: SMU) and ol-own zoning ordinance, you should contact them lowed by a dimensional district (e.g. 1,1a, 2,3,4).or your zoning and permit inormation. Township Intify your ln us n imnsionl istrictzoning is required to be at least as restrictive as s first stp of your projct. Be aware that therethe county zoning, and may be more restrictive. may be circumstances that alter the standards or

    Townships are divided into zg , with your property.

    n:

    P:

    s

    P:

    b

    :

    n:

    Ordinary High W

    Level (OHWL)

    Adminisby the SDNR (fromto waterwar

    Shoreland Guide 11 St. Louis County, MN

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    ZONINg

    tart a landscaPe Planwo important steps in gettingarted on your plan are to draw atailed map o your property (seege 16) and to check with your

    anning and development de-rtment or local requirements.curately chart on your map:loping areas and drainageatternsocation o roads and driveways

    Potential building sitexisting vegetation and wildlieabitatand eatures such as shoreline,

    wetlands and rock outcropsWell, septic, uture septic areasOutbuildings and other accessorytructures

    ther helPFul hints:

    : Bulkupplies o native and/or heartyeedlings o evergreens, lea trees,uit trees, shrubs, lowers andnes are available each spring

    hrough St. Louis County Soilnd Water Conservation DistrictSWCD). See page 10 or contact

    ormation.

    w : Arge lawn may seem attractive,ut natural vegetation will havewer maintenance, be o greater

    alue to the environment andildlie, and can be just as visually

    ppealing.

    he FolloWing bmP guidese available rom the Minnesota

    xtension Service. See Page 15 or

    ntact inormation.Developing ShorelandLandscapes and ConstructionActivitiesStabiliing your Shoreline toPrevent ErosionMinimiing Runo romShoreland PropertyValuing your Shoreland TreesPreserving Wetlands

    LOT deSIgNThe irst step to good lot design is to map yourproperty. A guide is available on page 16. A topo-graphical map may also be very helpul.

    When working on lot layout and design, con-sider water runo and practice stormwater man-agement. I you have the option to arrange yourbuildings and grounds, you can reduce water andruno. Runo can be a major source o pollutionand erosion or lakes and shoreland and can backup and pool in undesirable places. Natural land-scapes, distribution o runo, reduced impervioussuraces and Best Management Practices (BMPs)are common ways to manage stormwater.

    Do not wait to fix erosion problems.

    They will become more difficult and

    costly as time passes.

    PReSeRve NaTURaL aReaSNatural landscapes, including orests, wetlands,and grasslands trap rainwater and snowmelt. Thisallows the water to slowly ilter into the underly-ing soil. (See General Guidelines or Landscapingin the let edge o the page.)

    MINIMIZe IMPeRvIOUS COveR IN YOUR LOTLaYOUTWhen too much o the natural surace o a site iscovered by nonabsorbent (impervious) suraces

    such as roads, parking lots, and buildings, runodoes not soak into the soil properly. This can leadto looding, erosion and the transport o pollut-ants into lakes and streams.

    dISTRIbUTe RUNOFFThe best design directs yard drainage toward thelandward side o the rise, or where water does notrun directly downhill into the lake. This practicelimits the inluence o water runo.

    Building on the waterside o the drainage dividedirects runo directly to the lake. These sites areprone to increased erosion and sedimentation,and will not maintain value as well as a site whichdrains away rom the lake.

    Locate driveways, walks, rails, yard and gardenedges to ollow level contours and gentle slopes.Do not direct water directly downhill. This gives itmaximum speed and cutting power or erosion.Long, steep slopes have the greatest erosion po-tential. Redirect concentrated runo into rain gar-dens or natural swales to ilter surace water.

    Use pervious (absorbent) areas such as grassswales or terraces to help redirect and ilter runorom roads and buildings.

    Place structures and roads away rom steep slopeswhich may escalate erosion problems.

    geNeRaL gUIdeLINeS FOR LaNdSCaPINg

    Any disturbance o ground cover (grass orshrubs) will expose soil. This oten leads to

    erosion and slope ailure. Use hay or straw asmulch to cover disturbed areas ater reseed-ing. Consider working only in a small area andstabilizing that site beore disturbing another.

    Store topsoil or black dirt in a separatepile to redistribute back to the top layerwhen you are inished with your proj-ect. Cover the pile to minimize erosion.

    Minimize disturbance to plants and trees. Se-lect and save trees to gain time in landscap-ing later. Protect trees rom heavy equipmentby encasing them with heavy planks tiedvertically around the trunks. Large trees, es-

    pecially birch, can be killed by heavy traicthat compacts the soil. Putting ill materialtoo deeply over the roots can also kill trees.

    Maintain a ilter strip o natural vegeta-tion along the banks o lakes and streams.

    The best ilter strip is mature woodlandwith undisturbed grass and shrub layers.

    Ater your grounds have been graded to mini-mize and control runo, plant a permanentcover on all areas that have been disturbed.Along with grass, trees and shrubs are excellentand practical erosioncontrol measures. Usenative species o trees and shrubs wherever

    possible. They are well adapted to our region.

    Combine plants o diverse types, height, color,lowers and ruits. They will provide windbreaks,wildlie habitat, privacy screens and shade.

    Use Best Management Practices. BMP guidesources are at the bottom let o this page.

    USe beST MaNageMeNT PRaCTICeSBMPs are proven erosion and sediment contmeasures, and should be an important compnent o construction plans. BMPs include seediand mulching disturbed areas, installing silt encto trap eroded soil, and using rock check damsslow water low in ditches. Proper maintenancethese practices is critical to their eectiveness.

    Shoreland GuiSt. Louis County, MN 12

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    ZONINg

    Land use guides with complete standards for

    most types of structures and land use are very

    helpful and informative: they are available at

    the Planning and Development Departmentsoffice or website.

    bUILdINg OR ReMOdeLINg YOURPRINCIPaL STRUCTUReSetbacks and standards must be considered whenbuilding or remodeling your propertys structureor deck.

    ChOOSINg a LOCaTION FOR a hOMeWhether you are landscaping your property, build-ing a cabin, or designing a resort, each parcel oland has limitations or development. These mayinclude the type o soil, steep slopes, wetlands,

    native vegetation, and other natural eatures. Fur-ther inormation can be ound on page 5 whenpurchasing shoreland. An important irst step is todraw a detailed map o your property. Site sketchinormation can be ound on page 16.

    bUILdINgLand use standards or principal and accessorystructures can be ound beginning on page 25.

    ReMOdeLINgCertain types o alterations to the interior or exte-rior o an existing structure, or remodeling, mayor may not require a land use permit.

    Remodeling Alterations Include: Work perormed on the interior o a structure Replacement o siding, windows, doors, soit,acia, and ornamentation Replacement o rooing, provided there is no

    change in roo pitch or projection Adding windows or doorsAlteration is NOT Remodeling when: It increases the number o bedrooms It increases water usage It replaces or changes the main structural

    rame or exterior walls It changes the roo pitch or projection It changes the exterior dimensions o the

    structure

    This type o work is considered beyond remodel-

    ing, or new construction. As a result, a land usepermit is required, the structure must meet all othe applicable perormance standards o the zon-ing ordinance and loses its grandathered rightsas a nonconorming structure.

    Rmolin Nonconformin Structur: Non-conorming structures are located on the lot insuch a manner that the minimum requirementsor setbacks and other standards or the dimen-sional district are not met.

    You may remodel nonconorming structures,such as homes, cabins, other principal structuresor decks.

    addITIONSAn addition is a structure that alters the originalhome or cabin and increases the original build-ings dimensions in any direction.

    aitions to Conformin Structurs: On theside o the lot acing the water, the maximumwidth o the existing structure including the addi-

    tion can not exceed 40 percent o the lot width. Iyour home or cabin conorms to the standards inthe zoning ordinance and the addition also meetsall o these standards, there are no other size re-strictions.

    aitions to Nonconformin Structurs: Addi-tions to nonconorming structures may require avariance rom the zoning ordinance as there aremany standards that apply. A guide titled Homeand Cabin Additions is available online and/orthrough the county Planning and Developmentoice.

    deCKS aNd PLaTFORMSYou must obtain a land use permit prior to con-

    structing a deck, but not a platorm (see the glos-sary), considering certain conditions are met.

    attc dcks: An attached deck is deined asa horizontal, unenclosed platorm that is attachedto or unctionally related to a home, cabin or otherstructure. An attached deck may not have a roo,extended soit or walls, but may have railings,seats, or other related eatures.

    Scrn or enclos dcks: A screened or en-closed deck is considered an addition and mustmeet the perormance standards or additions.

    They are not allowed within the setback.

    I you are building a new home or cabin and wouldlike an enclosed deck on the lake side, consider

    placing your home urther back than the mini-mum setback. Contact the Planning and Develop-ment Department or more inormation.

    aitionl Stnrs for dck attc to Nonconformin hom/ Cin: You may constructan attached deck addition or a nonconorminghome or cabin, as long as all o the perormancestandards are met. Contact the Planning and De-velopment Department or more inormation.

    glossary

    Pp s: A strwith the primary ocus o aas ull or parttime residenc

    tpp mp: A lanspeciically desiged with lisigniy the changing o eleva

    cf: Meets thenance standards

    nf: Does notthe standards

    Pf: A horiontal swithout rails, seats, or othevated eatures, that is no gthan 18 inches in height.

    no land use Permit iQuired For the FolloW

    Remodeling o existingstructures

    Accessory structures (usedor storage) o 100 square less that meet all setbacks standards

    Sanitary privies (although need a sanitary permit, mube used or storage, and mmeet standards and setbac

    Shoreland Guide St. Louis County, MN13

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    ZONINg

    Top soil is conserved and erosion plans are in use beore, during andater a land alteration.

    Rain gardens are an excellent way o protecting shoreland that iimpacted by alterations.

    ome commonly askeduestions:

    . Do I need to tell anyone I amuilding a structure?

    . Yes. You must obtain a landse permit rom the St. Louisounty Planning & Developmentepartment.

    . How do I know i my land isuildable?

    . This is determined by a number actors, including how wet thete is, i the site is on rock, i thend can support a structure and

    ewage treatment system, andhe minimum lot sie. Structuresnd roads must also meet requiredetbacks.

    . Do I need a land use permit tohange the sie and shape o myouse, including a deck?

    . Yes.

    . Do I need a land use permit toeside or reroo my house?

    . No, unless you are changing thee or shape o the building. I youve in the city, you should checkith your local oning authority.

    ShOReLaNd ROadS, dRIvewaYSaNd PaRKINgStandards have been designed or roads, drive-ways and parking to reduce their impact on theshoreland beneits.

    dRIvewaY aCCeSS:Driveway access to any parcel or lot rom any pub-lic roadway is limited to one single driveway en-trance per parcel, may not be located within 100eet o the rightoway line o any intersectingroad, and needs to meet the recommendations o

    the road authority. Check with your local countygarage or Public Works Department.

    PaRKINg SPaCe STaNdaRdS: An ostreet parking space shall comprise an

    area with dimensions o 9 eet by 18 eet plusnecessary maneuvering space.

    Total area or parking and maneuvering shall notencroach upon any public rightoway.

    addITIONaL ROad, dRIvewaYS aNdPaRKINg STaNdaRdS: Must be designed to be screened rom public

    waters. Must meet structure, blu, and shore impact

    zone setbacks. Design criteria and grading and

    illing provisions o the ordinance must be met.

    ROad SeTbaCKS:Road setbacks are determined by Zoning Ordi-nance #46 o St. Louis County. To determine yourroad classiication, review the zoning map. Ques-tions about your rightoway can be addressedby contacting St. Louis County Public Works at(218) 6253830.

    ShOReLaNd aLTeRaTIONSStandards have been set or shoreland alteratioto reduce erosion and other impact.

    MINIMUMSTaNdaRdSFORaLLaLTeRaTIONwITh OR wIThOUT PeRMIT: Smallest amount o bare ground exposed or

    short a time as possible. Use mulches or similar materials or tempora

    exposure and establish permanent vegetationsoon as possible.

    Avoid creation o a slope or blu. Erosion and sediment control methods shall

    employed.eROSION aNd SedIMeNT CONTROL PLaNSaRe ReqUIRed FOR The FOLLOwINgexCavaTIONS: Greater than 1000 sq. t or 100 cubic yards 1000 cubic yards o ill 10 cubic yards within the shore impact zone Within 300 eet o the shore or in the blu impa

    zone

    aLTeRaTION NOT PeRMITTed wIThINShOReLaNd aNd weTLaNd aReaS: Alterations that cause unnecessary potential

    soil erosion. Alterations that cause water backup on adjace

    properties. Intensive vegetation clearing in shore and bl

    impact zone and steep slopes. Wetland area alterations according to gove

    ment regulations.

    Shoreland GuiSt. Louis County, MN 14

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    ZONINg

    resource dePartment/agency contact

    Land Use Permits, Conditional Use Per-mits, Variances, Subdivisions Plats, Bor-

    row Pits, Nonconorming Lot o Record

    St. Louis County Planning & DevelopmentDepartment

    Duluth: (218)7255000Virginia: (218) 7497103

    www.co.stlouis.mn.us

    Sewage Treatment System Permit St. Louis County Environmental ServicesDepartment307 First St. S., Ste. 115Virginia, Minnesota 55792

    www.co.stlouis.mn.us2187255200 in Duluth area18004509278 or regional contact ino.

    All recorded documents, includingeasements that currently exist or werevacated

    St. Louis County Recorder 100 N. 5th Ave. W., Room 101 Duluth MNwww.co.stlouis.mn.us/recordersoice/Recorder.html

    Access Across Private Land

    page 15

    You must work with the existing owners togain access i you need to access your prop-erty by way o privately owned land.

    Access Across State Lands MN Dept. o Natural Resources (DNR) Phone: (218) 9997890 www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/index.html

    Access Across County TaxForeit Land St. Louis County Land Department Phone: (218)7262606www.co.stlouis.mn.us/Land.html

    Access Across County Fee Lands St. Louis County Property Management Phone: (218)7332781www.co.stlouis.mn.us/PropertyManagement/HomePage.htm

    Driveway Entrance and Culvert Permits County Roads: St. Louis County Public Works:Please Contact your local county garageCity/Township Roads: Contact City/Town-ship

    I unknown call (218)6253830www.co.stlouis.mn.us/PublicWorks/pubwk_aq.htm

    ObTaININg PeRMITS

    The St. Louis County Planning and DevelopmentDepartment oversees many dierent types opermits or land use. These include the land usepermit, conditional use permit, perormance stan-dard permit, borrow pit permits, communicationtower permits, home occupation/business permit,subdivision and variance permits.

    Ln Us Prmits are required i you alter a parcelin any way including, but not limited to, erecting,constructing, reconstructing, moving, or altering astructure. Land use permit applications and theirguides are available rom the St. Louis CountyPlanning and Development Department and/ortheir website. The applications and the guides aredesigned to work together to assist property own-ers and contractors to successully complete landuse permit applications. The most diicult andtime consuming part o the land use permit pro-cess is adequate research o a parcel o land and todescribe your intentions on the application.

    Conitionl Us Prmits are required or uses,including, but not limited to, a homebased busi-ness, resort, campground, B & B, repair shop, ruralindustry, mini storage, convenience store and/orgas station. Permits are also required or non con-orming lots o record, variances, subdivision plats,borrow pits, communication towers, drivewaysand septic systems. Applications are availablerom the county land oice or website.

    S Trtmnt Systms must have approvalrom St. Louis Countys Environmental Services De-partment or each new residence or addition witha bedroom, bathroom, laundry or kitchen acilities.See the chart above or contact inormation.

    Iniiul Utilitis are not regulated by thecounty. Wells must be registered with the state,which is usually handled by the well driller. Elec-trical and plumbing standards are set by the state.It is the responsibility o the utility to obtain utilityeasements. Electrical inspections are required byinspectors assigned by the state to speciic areas.

    d w f fw p?Land Use PermitVarianceWetland PermitLand AlterationProperty Address ApplicatiWater PermitStorm Water Permit rom Mglossarys: Land located the ollowing distances romlic waters: 1000 eet rom orhigh water level o a lake; aeet rom a river.

    nf : Legrecorded prior to the adoptthe ordinance which wou

    have been permitted had thnance been in eect.

    c : A land usrestrictions in relation to tho the neighborhood and plans.

    Pf : Authoriation given owhich must meet a minimuo predeined standards or c

    v: Any modiicatioa county land ordinance mined by the Board o Adjus

    that the enorcement or ordwould cause unnecessary ship.

    s w: Surace wato rom rain or snow melt.

    t c:A construction permit

    become void ater 12 mPermit extensions magranted i the proposal ordinance requirements.

    Restrictions apply limitinpercentage o lot that mcovered with impervious maincluding roos, gravel anddriveways, turnaroundssidewalks.

    Standards or a principal strcan be ound on page 25.

    Shoreland Guide St. Louis County, MN15

    http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/recordersoffice/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/recordersoffice/http://www.dnr.state/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/Land.htmlhttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/PropertyManagehttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/PropertyManagehttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/PublicWorks/pubhttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/PublicWorks/pubhttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/PropertyManagehttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/Land.htmlhttp://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/recordersoffice/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.dnr.state/
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    Lake

    ZONINg

    lossary

    : The closest dis-nce rom your side property line

    o your proposed project.

    f: The longer dis-nce rom your side property line

    o your proposed project.

    : The distance rom yourroposed project to the propertyne opposite the road.

    w: The measurement ohe property between the sideroperty lines at the principalructure site.

    : The distanceom the center o the road to a

    peciied structure.

    m : shall

    clude all structures, driving sur-ces including graveled suraces,nd all other altered suraces.

    ff : Land that rises at least5 eet above the OHWL and has aope o 30% or more over a 50 tstance. Stricter standards may

    pply on some rivers.

    : Area o mea-urement rom the ordinary highater level o a river landward

    or the distance that is set in therdinance.

    sketch of your propertys required when yousubmit an application

    or a land use permit. Aermit will not be issued

    without a sketch.

    PPlication Fees, deadlines,nd dates o possible hearings arevailable by contacting the Plan-ng and Development Dept. o-

    ce or website.

    n aPPlication guide andand Use permit application arevailable in an easy downloadableDF ormat on the county websiter oice.

    PeRMIT SKeTCheS:Your sketch is an important part o the permit ap-plication. It identiies the location and distanceso your project in relation to other eatures o thesurrounding property. A permit will not be issuedwithout a sketch. A complete guide or the permitapplication is available rom the St. Louis CountyPlanning and Development oice or website.

    Beore you begin your sketch, it is best to reviewan example and make sure your research is com-plete. Completeness, accuracy, good lot design,and communication with the County (especiallyon wetland impact) prior to the permit applica-tion will inluence review time and issuance o a

    N

    Road Centerline

    Drivew

    ay

    WetlandArea

    Trees

    Trees

    200 PropertyWidth

    292

    PropertyD

    epth

    126 Side-yard Far

    24

    24

    24

    40

    6

    20

    60 Side-yard Near

    Trees

    188Rearyard

    Setback

    200Roa

    d

    Centerlin

    e

    162Rearyard

    Setback

    174Road

    Centerline

    Trees

    100 Side-yard Far

    50 Side-yard Near

    Septic

    System

    Well

    Septic

    Expansion

    Area

    88Shoreline

    Setback

    ProposedGarage

    Trees

    125Shoreline

    Setback

    Proposed Deck

    ExistingHouse

    scaLe:

    /

    feet/inch

    Features toinclude and label

    on your ProPertysketch:

    Property boundariesand dimensionsExisting structureswith dimensions andsetbacksProposed structureswith dimensions andsetbacksRoads and drivewayswith road names andsetbacksSeptic system withuture expansion and

    required setbacksWell with setbacksUnderground cablesand pipes, overheadwiresWetland and setbacksHills, blus, slopingareas and drainagepatternsAreas o vegetationremoval and gradingSymbol depictingNorth as the top othe page

    Scale (actual eet/per

    inch on paper)Signature o owner

    This example o a permit sketch can be a useul reerence when preparing your own property sketch.

    Lake

    permit. Additional inormation may be attachto your sketch to address speciic zoning criteria

    Ater submitting your application to the St. LoCounty Planning and Development Departmeit will be reviewed using the criteria or approvound in the corresponding zoning ordinance. Tthree criteria that must be met are:

    The proposed use conorms to the land plan.

    The proposed use is compatible with the existineighborhood.

    The location and character o the proposed uis consistent with the desirable pattern o devopment or the area.

    Shoreland GuiSt. Louis County, MN 16

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    ZONINg

    ROADRight-of-Way

    Right-of-Way

    from Road

    Centerline

    Minimum

    Structure Setback

    from Road

    Centerline

    Minimum Structure

    Setback from Right-of-

    Way

    Buildable Area

    Propery

    Line side yard set back

    Dwelling

    A xa g a ba.

    geNeRaL SeTbaCKS:All parcels have road and structure setbacks, orrequirements, or their zoning district.

    Dimensional setbacks or your zone can be ob-

    tained rom the dimensional standards chart be-low. Lake, river and stream shore and road setbackswill apply i you are near one o these areas. Addi-tional standards or these setbacks may also applyin certain circumstances, such as: nonconorminglots o record, size o proposed structure, locationnear blus, rock out cropping, or protected impactzones. Inormation on your regulations can be ob-tained rom the Planning & Development Depart-ment (See page 10).

    road standards

    ROAD CLASSIFICATION ROAD CENTERLINE

    RIGHTOFWAY

    Principal & Major Arterials 110 35

    Major Collectors 85 35

    Accessory Structures* 48 15

    Minor Collectors & LocalRoads

    68 35

    * Accessory structures on local roads (privately maintained), or on publicly

    maintained roads that serve ten principal uses or less.

    glossaryZ l u: Land usethe jurisdiction o the zoninnance.

    Z d: A type or aland that alls under the jution o the zoning Ordinanc

    d s: Rtions set by the zoning Ordon the sie o property.

    s s: Reguset by the zoning Ordinancedistance away rom structur

    s s: Rtions set by the zoning Ordon structures.

    Pf s:lations set by the zoning Ordon what can be done to you

    dimensional standards For land use districts (FAM, RES, SMU, LCO, SENS, LIU, LSO)

    DIMENSIONALDISTRICT

    1 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

    Minimum Lot area (acres) 35 35 17 9 9 4.5 4.5 2.5 2 1 1 1 2 0.5 0.33* .25** 2

    Minimum Lot Width (t) 600 1,200 600 300 600 300 400 200 200 150 200 150 200 100 100 75 200

    % Max Lot Coverage 2 2 2 10 2 10 10 25 25 25 30 25 25 25 35 35 30

    Side Yard(t)

    Principal 100 100 100 50 50 50 50 20 20 20 20 15 15 15 10 10 25

    Accessory 100 100 100 25 25 25 25 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 5 25

    Rear Yard(t)

    Principal 100 100 100 100 100 50 50 45 45 45 45 40 40 40 40 40 50

    Accessory 100 100 100 50 50 50 50 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 5 50

    MaximumStructure Height

    35

    MinimumShoreline Frontage

    Same as Minimum lot width

    *with public sewer **with pubic water and sewer Special standards apply or Plat o Soudan, Town o Breitung

    Shoreland Guide St. Louis County, MN17

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    dISTRICT ZONINg

    LaNd USe STaNdaRdSAll land in St. Louis County is within a zoned land use district. Allland use districts have a title and a dimensional standardbased

    on State Shoreland Regulations, the County Ordinance, and theadopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

    The zone district is labeled and identiied by an abbreviation sig-niying the type o zone, ollowed by a number designating the di-mensional district. Each land use district has a purpose statement,

    permitted uses, permitted uses with perormance standards, aconditional uses. Compliance with these standards is reviewed county oicials when any land use permit application is submitte

    These are not the only standards. Wetlands, blus, or other charateristics or structures may have standards that also apply.

    Land Use Guides or each land use district are available at the Planing & Development Departments oice or website. They hamore inormation or your land use requirements.

    . land use district:lakeshore commercial overlay (lco)

    PurPose statement: Intention o overlay is to allow limited expansion o certainwaterront commercial activities, while protecting residential liestyles and propertyvalues.

    Permitted uses: Remodeling, water oriented accessory structures, home businessand occupation, expansion o existing resorts or guest purposes.

    Permitted use With PerFormance standards: Alterations o cabins,redevelopment o resort cabins within standards, signs, recycling centers, single amilydwellings, public project borrow pits.

    uses authoriZed by conditional use Permit: New commercial operations,Planned Developments, utility acilities, general purpose borrow pits, mineral explora-tion, airports.

    land use district: residential (res)

    PurPose statement: This district shall be used to promote a high quality residetial living environment where nonresidential uses are restricted and used where theis extensive residential development. This district may be used in shoreland and noshoreland areas that are typically platted, or i not platted, have a development densitydwellings o more than one dwelling per 300 lineal eet o road or shore rontage.

    Permitted uses: Singleamily dwellings, homeoccupations.

    Permitted use With PerFormance standards: Twoamily dwellings, signsaccessory structures larger than1,000 square eet, residential density controls anddensity transer.

    uses authoriZed by conditional use Permit: Multiple and three and oamily dwellings, residential planned unit developments, home business, group hompublic/semipublic uses, mineral exploration and evaluation, utility acilities, mobihome park, neighborhood commercial.

    St. Louis County, MN Shoreland Gui18

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    dISTRICT ZONINg

    LaNd USe TeRMSA land use guide or each zoning district is available rom the St.Louis County Planning and Development Department. To best un-derstand zoning standards and their purpose, land owners should

    be amiliar with the ollowing terms:Purpos Sttmnt: Provides guidance or the zone district. Thedistrict can not be used contrary to the purpose statement o thedistrict.

    Prmitt Uss: Uses that are allowed with a permit rom thecounty, provided all standards are met.

    Prmitt it Prformnc Stnrs: Uses that are permitti the standards are met. I the standards cannot be met, the umay be allowed with a variance or conditional use permit, depen

    ing on the conditions.Uss autoriz y Conitionl Us Prmit: Uses that requapproval by the planning commission in accordance with the cteria set orth in the ordinance. Uses other than those stated in tordinance may be permitted though the conditional use procesthey are similar to the uses listed under the per ormance standaor conditional use standard o that zone district, and they are cosistent with the purpose o that district.

    land use district: limited industrial use (liu)PurPose statement: This district is designed to accommodate those industrial and

    manuacturing uses that oster orderly economic growth, without adversely aecting theresidential and recreational character o the surrounding area. This district may be used ina shoreland area i permitted by an adopted land use plan.

    Permitted uses: Manuacturing and light industrial uses consistent with the pur-pose o this district, warehousing, storage, and wholesaling, borrow pitspublic works,single site contaminated soils acility.

    Permitted use With PerFormance standards: Manuacturing and lightindustrial uses consistent with the purpose o this district, warehousing, storage, andwholesaling, borrow pitspublic works, single site contaminated soils acility.

    uses authoriZed by conditional use Permit: Planned unit development(PUD), transportation terminal, borrow pits, mineral extraction, but not processing,recreational acilities, public/semipublic, multiple site contaminated soils disposalacility including incineration.

    land use district: Forest agricultural manage-ment (Fam)PurPose statement: This district is intended to recognie and promote the develop-ment o the countys orestry and agricultural industry and to encourage recreational useo such areas. This district is typically used in areas with land developed at very low densi-ties and oten there is considerable government and corporate ownership.

    Permitted uses: Temporary wood processing activities, homeoccupation, public rec-reational acilities, hunting shacks/other primitive dwellings, accessory uses, livestock,seasonal residences.

    Permitted use With PerFormance standard: Singleamily dwellings, recy-cling centers (public), signs, onsite and osite, borrow pitspublic works, mineral ex-ploration and evaluation, community center acilities, residential density controls anddensity transer, singlesite contaminated soil disposal, home business.

    uses authoriZed by conditional use Permit: Aquaculture operations, eedlots,rural industry, utility acilities, electric generation acility, sanitary landills and recycling,slaughterhouse, junk or salvage acilities, peat extraction and processing, airport, com-mercial or private recreational uses which by their nature require large land areas,highwaycommercial, neighborhood commercial, permanent orest processing, borrow pits, andsimilar operations.

    St. Louis County, MNShoreland Guide 19

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    dISTRICT ZONINg

    land use district: sensitive areas (sens)PurPose statement: This district is intended or areas that are unsuitable or inten-sive development due to wetlands, steep slopes, looding, inadequate drainage, haardouswaste sites, high susceptibility to groundwater contamination, signiicant wildlie habitat

    areas, severe erosion potential, or eatures likely harmul to the community i developmentis not properly managed.

    Permitted uses: Forestry management, permanent open space, wild rice arming andrelated aquaculture.

    Permitted use With PerFormance standards: Temporary orest processing,home occupation, recreation trails, accessory uses and structures.

    uses authoriZed by conditional use Permit: Public/semipublic uses, publicacility renovation, livestock, aquaculture, peat har vesting and processing.

    land use district: lake suPerior overlay (lso)PurPose statement: This district is intended to allow limited expansion o certainwaterront commercial activities, while saeguarding residential liestyles and propertyvalues. This overlay applies only to those areas near Lake Superior where it has beendetermined that nodes o residential and commercial land uses coexist, with neither beingthe predominant use.

    Permitted uses: Single amily residence, home occupation, accessory uses andstructures, public, noncommercial recreational uses.

    Permitted use With PerFormance standards: Home business, neighborhoodcommercial, highway commercial, signs.

    uses authoriZed by conditional use Permit: Multiple amily dwelling: water-ront commercial, planned unit development (PUD), other uses similar to above.

    land use district: shoreland mixeduse (smu)PurPose statement: This district is intended to provide a balance between lake andriver use and the water resources by allowing a wide range o uses that are consistent withadjacent land uses and the recreational and natural attributes o the water body.

    Permitted uses: Singleamily dwellings, seasonal dwellings, public/semipublicuses, noncommercial uses, including trails, parks, beaches, waysides, etc., accessory uses,homeoccupation.

    Permitted use With PerFormance standards: Signs, accessory structureslarger than 800 square eet, wateroriented accessory uses, twoamily dwellings, resi-dential density control and density transer, single site contaminated soils disposal, homebusiness.

    uses authoriZed by conditional use Permit: Planned unit developments,multiple, two and three amily dwellings, mobile home park, waterront commercial,neighborhood commercial, public/semipublic uses, utility acilities, borrow pits, min-eral exploration and evaluation, livestock, public acility renovation, group home, airports,temporary wood processing, osite signs, aquaculture, multiple site contaminated soilsdisposal acility, including incineration.

    Shoreland GuiSt. Louis County, MN 20

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    l l i j-

    weTLaNdS

    weTLaNd:Wetland describes a wide variety o wet environ-ments varying rom a slight depression, which

    many laws protect-

    ing wetlands, it isimportant to iden-tiy wetlands andtheir boundaries.

    IdeNTIFYINg weTLaNd ChaRaCTeRISTICS:Water inluences the vegeta-tion and soil ound on any site.

    Thereore, the vegetation, soil,and hydrologic actors must allbe addressed in identiicationo a jurisdictional wetland.

    wtln Plnts: In undisturbed sites, vegetationis the most visible criterion and can be useul in

    wetland observations. Some common wetlandplants are willow, alder, black ash, black spruce,balsam ir, aspen, cattails, sphagnum moss, redosier dogwood, and sedges.

    Shoreland

    videoava ab e on th s sub ect

    www.co.stlouis.mn.us

    wtln Soils: Two common types o soil areound in wet conditions. One is organic soils, orpeat. The second is mineral soils that do not drainwell because o high water table, low land, groundwater seepage, or a slowly permeable soil layer,such as clay. These are called hydric soils.

    Mineral soils that are saturated much o the timebecome dull colored or gleyed. Gleyed soils areneutral gray and occasionally greenish or bluish.

    Mineral soils that are saturated or short periods

    develop spots or blotches o dierent colors.These spots can be an indication o hydric or wet-land soils.

    wtln hyroloy: Hydrology reers to thepresence or low o water through a site. Somewetlands are relatively dry during drier times othe year. Oten, aerial photographs, personal in-terviews with residents, and visual evidence areused to determine wetland hydrology.

    holds water only ater spring run-o, to open water wetlands

    that never drawdown. Bymost stan-dards, a

    wetlands soilis saturated with

    water either aboveor just below the sur-

    ace, and is coveredwith plants that haveadapted to the wet con-

    ditions characteristic totheir wetland environ-

    ment. Since there are

    Minnesota Wetlands

    weTLaNd IMPaCTWetland impact is a term used to describe actionsthat eect the environment o a wetland. Sincemost wetlands are in prime condition in their un-

    disturbed state, any change is usually reerred toas a negative impact.

    TYPICaL aCTIvITIeS ThaT CaUSeIMPaCT:Fillin: Adding any material to change thebottom level o a wetland.

    drinin: Removing the water rom a wet-land by ditching, tilling, pumping, or othersuch techniques.

    ectin: Dredging and removing soil andvegetation rom a wetland.

    dirtin tr: Preventing the low o waterinto a wetland by removing water upstream,lowering lake levels, or lowering groundwa-ter tables.

    Clrin: Removing vegetation by diggingor scraping.

    Flooin: Raising water levels, either behinddams or by pumping or otherwise channel-ing water into a wetland so that water levelsare too high or wetland vegetation and ani-mals to survive (i.e., converting a wetland to alake or pond).

    dirtin or itolin simnt: Trap-ping sediment through the construction o

    dams, channelization or other such projectsthat inhibit the regeneration o wetlands innatural areas o deposition, such as deltas.

    Sin: Placing pile supported platorms orbridges over wetlands, causing vegetation todie.

    Conuctin ctiitis in jcnt rs:Disrupting the interactions between wet-lands and adjacent land areas, or indirectlyimpacting wetlands through activities at ad-

    joining sites.

    glossary:

    hyroloy:The stuwater and its eectgiven area.

    Olit plnts: Athat has adapted totain condition andprimarily in these ctions.

    Suncin: A stepstep review processto determine posso wetland develop

    Ornic soils: Soitaining decomplants; typically, pecomposted vegetat

    Minrl soils: Clay,or silt with little or(or composted) mat

    hyric soils: Soilsdo not drain well, ohave a layer o soislows drainage.

    Shoreland Guide St. Louis County, MN21

    http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/
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    weTLaNdS

    SeqUeNCINg: The weTLaNd IMPaCTRevIew PROCeSS AVOIDANCE

    Prior to any draining, illing or excavating

    in a wetland, proposed impacts to nonexShorelandempt wetlands undergo a process known

    video as sequencing. Sequencing is a stepby-available on this subject

    ww.co.st-louis.mn.us step process used to assess the eortsmade by the applicant to avoid, minimize,reduce or eliminate impact over time, and

    replace lost wetland at the location. Wetland permits are ap-proved using the ollowing principles in this order:1. aoi Impcts: I a project can be redesigned or relocatedto eliminate any wetland impact, you must select this option.2. Minimiz Impct: I St. Louis County determines that wet-land impacts are unavoidable, you must demonstrate that theproject minimizes wetland impacts to the greatest extent pos-sible. The county will consider:The purpose o the project Size requirements o the project Location Sensitivity o the site design to the natural eatures o

    the site, including topography, hydrology, and existingvegetation

    The unction and value o the wetlands on the site Applicants eorts to show alternatives to modiy the size

    and scope o project3. Rctify Impct: There may be times that a wetland impactis impossible to avoid, but the impact either is temporary orresults in no net loss o wetlands. Temporary impacts may beapproved by the county i the activity is completed and thephysical characteristics o the wetland are restored within sixmonths rom the start o the activity. For example, a temporaryroad through a wetland that is needed or a short term proj-

    ect, and ater the project is completed, the road is removed.A perormance bond must be provided to the county or anamount suicient to cover the cost o restoring the wetland topreproject conditions.4. Ruc or elimint Impct Or Tim: Further impactrom draining or illing must be reduced or eliminated by man-aging the project in a manner that preserves remaining wet-land unctions and values. The county requires the applicantto implement best management practices (e.g. silt ences) toprotect wetland unctions and values.5. Rplc: Wetland replacement must restore the unctionsand values that are lost rom a wetland that is drained or illed.

    This can be accomplished through either restoring a previ-ously drained or illed wetland, creating a new wetland in anupland area, or purchasing credits rom an approved wetlandbank. Contact the Planning and Development Department ormore inormation.

    Wetlands

    Wetland Impacted

    Wetland

    Driveway

    Route B Wetland

    Wetland

    Driveway

    Route A

    Route A: Recommended(Wetlands avoided: Wetlands not Impacted)

    Route B: Not Recommended(Wetlands not avoided: Wetlands Impacted)

    MINIMIZATION

    Driveway

    Route B

    Wetland

    Wetlands DrivewayImpacted Route A

    Route A: Recommended(Wetland impact minimized)May require permits and further sequencing.

    Route B: Not RecommendedMay Require Permits, and further sequencing.

    Avoidance and minimiation are two important steps in reducing impact to wetlands.

    St. Louis County, MN 22 Shoreland Gui

    http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/
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    weTLaNdS

    FloodPlain Forest: Wetland tyPe 1characteristics: Floodplain orest wetlands are poorly drained, shallow depres-sions located in the loodplain o a watercourse with no well deined inlets or outlets.These wetlands may have standing water or a ew weeks each year, but are dry ormuch o the growing season. They are requently cultivated. When they are not, wet-land vegetation can become established. Alternating periods o lood and droughtcan eliminate perennial plants so annual plants typically dominate the community.

    Function & values: Floodplain orest wetlands are important or reducing shore-

    line erosion by pooling and absorbing lood waters, stabiliing the shoreline, andproviding a ilter or surace runo. Especially in the spring, these temporary waterholding basins requently have an abundance o plant seeds and invertebrates, whichmakes them ideal nesting, eeding and resting areas or migrating waterowl andshorebirds.

    vegetation: Floodplain orest wetlands are dominated by mature, deciduoushardwood trees growing on soils associated with riverine systems. The shrub layer,although usually lacking, is sparse. Floodplain orest wetlands are vegetatively pro-ductive because nutrients are periodically added to the system by looding.

    oPen Water: Wetlands tyPe 3, 4 & 5characteristics: The primary dierence between these three open water wet-lands is in the depth o standing water and duration o the soil saturation. Shallowmarshes are in 6 inches o water during the growing season while deep marshes arein 6 inches to 3 or more eet o water during the growing season. Shallow open waterwetlands have up to 6.6 eet o water and are rarely, i ever, drawn down preventing

    emergent aquatic vegetation to become established.

    Function & values: Open water wetlands are included as some o the mostdesirable o all wetlands or water birds and ur bearers, and they can also providespawning and nursery habitat or some ish species. Submergent plants and aquaticinvertebrates provide ood or waterowl. Excellent winter habitat can be providedor upland wildlie, including deer, muskrat and mink. Other unctions include lood-water retention, protection o shorelines rom erosion, aesthetics, and water qualityunctions involving the trapping o sediments and absorption o excess nutrients.

    vegetation: Open water wetlands are dominated by non orested vegetation thatcan tolerate their roots and lower stem submerged in water over a period o time.Open water wetlands are generally dominated by aquatic and submergent vegeta-tion, and are not populated by shrubs or trees.

    seasonally saturated basins: Wetland tyPe 1 & characteristics The primary dierence between the two seasonally saturated bsin wetlands is in the seasonal length o standing water and duration o the soil satution. Seasonally looded basins may have alternating periods o lood and drought; hiwater table ound in wet meadows may allow the soil to remain saturated.

    Function & values: These nutrient rich temporary water holding basins requenhave an abundance o plant seeds and invertebrates, making them ideal habitats or ra

    plants and migrating waterowl and shorebirds, especially in spring. During periodshigh rainall, seasonally saturated basin wetlands collect runo which reduces the likehood o seasonal looding to downstream lowlying areas and acting as a natural ilte

    vegetation: Seasonally saturated basin wetlands are dominated by non orested veetation that can tolerate their roots and lower stem submerged in water over a perio time. Seasonally saturated basin wetlands are generally dominated by aquatic asubmergent vegetation, and are not populated by shrubs or trees.

    oPenconiFerous bog: Wetlands tyPe 8characteristics: Bogs are one o the most distinctive kinds o wetlands, and arecharacteried by a growth o evergreen trees and shrubs and a loor covered by a thickcarpet o sphagnum moss. Bogs orm in very wet places. Some have considerableamounts o open water surrounded by loating boggy vegetation; in others, vegeta-tion may have completely illed a lake. Bog wetlands soil is usually waterlogged andsupports a spongy covering o mosses. Bogs occur mostly in shallow basins, on latuplands, and along sluggish streams.

    Function & values: Openconierous bog wetlands provide important habitator wildlie, including migratory birds which use bogs on their light paths to breed,nest and eed. Bog wetlands are oten valuable as reservoirs or streams (especiallytrout streams) and habitat or many unique plants.

    vegetation: Open bog vegetation is woody or herbaceous or both. Typical plantsare shrubs, sphagnum moss, and sedges. Although scattered, black spruce and tama-rack also occur in open bog wetlands, but their growth is stunted. In conierous bogwetlands, the plant communities are similar except with mature trees o black spruceand tamarack dominating the area.

    St. Louis County, MNShoreland Guide 23

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    weTLaNdS

    shrub carr: Wetland tyPe 6characteristics: Shrub Carr wetlands occur on organic soils (peat/muck) as wel