Aquatic plant removal may require a permit

With lakes becoming ice-free and waters beginning to warm this spring, some lakeshore property owners may need a permit to remove aquatic plants from their shorelines.
“Each year we hear about property owners who get into trouble by removing aquatic plants,” said Steve Enger, supervisor of the aquatic plant management program for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We want people to know that a permit may be required to remove lake plants, which are essential components of freshwater ecosystems.”
The DNR’s aquatic plant regulations are summarized online at www.mndnr.gov/shorelandmgmt/apg/regulations.html.

“There are very specific situations and requirements that mandate when someone needs a permit to remove aquatic plants,” Enger said. “That’s why we encourage property owners to consult the regulations online to see if they need a permit.”

Aquatic plants provide food and shelter for fish and wildlife. They stabilize the lake environment, and help maintain water clarity by limiting the availability of nutrients and preventing suspension of bottom sediments. These plants also protect shorelines from erosion by absorbing wave and ice energy. A healthy aquatic plant community is a critical component to maintaining the high quality lakes that Minnesotans value.

“We love to fish, boat and enjoy time on the water in Minnesota,” Enger said. “Many of the features we enjoy most about lakes are directly linked to healthy aquatic vegetation. That’s why we want to work with property owners to answer their questions about what is allowed when it comes to plant removal on their shorelines.”

A guide to aquatic plants and information on aquatic plant regulations is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/shorelandmgmt/apg/regulations.html, or by calling 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.

Aquatic plant removal may require a permit

Shoreline property owners may need a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to remove aquatic plants, which serve important functions in lakes and rivers.

By taking due care, property owners can avoid harming a nearby lake or river, and DNR staff can help answer questions about what’s allowed, said Steve Enger, supervisor of the DNR’s aquatic plant management program.

“Aquatic plants prevent shoreline erosion, stabilize bottom sediments, provide habitat for fish and wildlife, and tie up nutrients that might otherwise grow algae,” Enger said. “We encourage shoreline property owners to disturb as little near-shore vegetation as possible. Removing too many aquatic plants can impair their ability to provide these important functions.”

Property owners sometimes do not need permits for smaller-scale removal of plants for recreational reasons such as swimming or boat docking. However, permits are generally required for more intensive plant removal. And some removal methods are not allowed.

AQUATIC PLANT REMOVAL WITHOUT PERMIT

Shoreline property owners can, without a DNR permit, mechanically control a modest area of aquatic plants. However, regulations vary slightly on submerged vegetation compared to floating leaf vegetation.

Managing submerged vegetation like pondweeds, watermilfoil or coontail by cutting, pulling, raking, or harvesting the vegetation is allowed under the following conditions:

• The cleared area may not exceed 2,500 square feet.
• The cleared area may not extend more than 50 feet along the shore, or more than one half the frontage width, whichever is less.
• If the cleared area does not reach open water, a 15-foot wide channel to open water may be added.
• The cut or pulled vegetation must be removed from the water.

Managing floating leaf vegetation like white or yellow water-lilies by cutting or pulling is allowed for property owners looking to clear a 15-foot-wide channel extending to open water, under the following conditions:

• The cleared channel must remain in the same place from year to year.
• The vegetation that is cut or pulled must be removed from the water.

AQUATIC PLANT REMOVAL PERMIT REQUIRED

A DNR aquatic plant management permit is required, for a $35 fee, if plans include the following:

• Using herbicides or algicides.
• Removing emergent vegetation, like bulrush, cattails or wild rice. Emergent plants are rooted in the lake or river bottom, but their leaves and stems extend out of the water.
• Installing or operating an automated plant control device, such as the Crary WeedRoller, BeachGroomer or Lake Sweeper.
• Removing floating leaf vegetation, in an area larger than a 15 foot wide channel (see above).
• Controlling submerged vegetation in an area wider than one-half the width of your frontage or 50 feet, whichever is less (see above).
• Removing or relocating a bog of any size.

NOT ALLOWED 
These activities are not allowed by DNR aquatic plant management regulations:

• Excavating the lake bottom for aquatic plant control.
• Use of hydraulic jets.
• Using lake-bottom barriers to destroy or prevent the growth of aquatic plants.
• Removing aquatic vegetation within posted fish-spawning areas.
• Removing aquatic plants from undeveloped shoreline.

For more information, see the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/shorelandmgmt/apg/regulations.html, or call
651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.

Funding available for shoreland vegetation projects

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making $225,000 available for grant proposals for restoring native aquatic habitat across the state. Individual grant requests can range from $25,000 to $100,000.

This program provides cost-share grants to counties, cities, watershed districts, other local units of government, conservation groups and lake associations to conduct aquatic habitat restoration projects with native plants to improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Projects on private properties will have at least 75 percent of the frontage restored with an adjacent buffer zone that is at least 25 feet deep or wide. The focus of these projects must be on re-establishing vegetation for fish and wildlife habitat. Funds cannot be used for rock riprap stabilization or permanent wave breaks.

Grants recipients will be reimbursed for a maximum of 75 percent of the total project costs. Applicants must be able to fund at least 25 percent of the total project costs from non-state sources. Matching funds may be cash; volunteer labor; and in-kind contributions of materials, equipment and services.

"This i s an opportunity for lake associations, local communities and conservation organizations to help enhance native shoreline vegetation and fish habitat in their local lakes, streams and rivers," said John Hiebert, DNR lake habitat consultant. "Since 1999, more than 350 restoration projects have been funded, restoring more than 136,000 feet of shoreline.”

Applications for grants are available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/grants/habitat/shoreland.html or by calling the DNR at 888-646-6367. Completed grant applications are due Friday, Nov. 8.

Successful applicants will be notified in February 2014. Funds will be made available after July 1, 2014.

The grants are funded from state lottery proceeds deposited in the Heritage Enhancement Account. Grants are administered through the DNR’s Fish and Wildlife Division. Projects are selected and designed with guidance from local DNR fisheries managers.