Shoreline alterations, plant removal might require permits

Lakeshore owners are reminded that removing aquatic plants or altering shoreline often requires a permit.

Cutting or pulling submerged vegetation in a small area for recreation is allowed. But the following activities require an aquatic plant management permit: using herbicides or algicides to control aquatic plants in public waters; removing emergent vegetation, like bulrush, cattails or wild rice; removing floating leaf vegetation, like water lilies, in an area larger than a channel 15 feet wide extending to open water; cutting, pulling or mechanically controlling vegetation in an area larger than 2,500 square feet or wider than 50 feet; removing or relocating a bog of any size that is free floating or lodged in any area other than its original location; installing or operating an automated plant control device, such as the Crary WeedRoller, Coleman Beachgroomer or Lakemaid Lake Sweeper.

Permits cost $35 and are valid for one year.

Projects that do not require a permit include: cutting or pulling submerged vegetation from an area that does not extend more than 50 feet along the shore, or more than one-half the frontage width, whichever is smaller, for a cleared area that may not exceed 2,500 square feet; removing floating leaf plants, such as water lilies, to create a channel 15 feet wide that extends to open-water. The vegetation must be removed from the water and the cleared area must remain in the same place each year.

Some alterations below the ordinary high water level of public waters or public waters wetlands require an individual public waters work permit, including excavating, dredging, filling, draining or the placement of structures.

More information is available on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us or by calling (888) 646-6367. For information about the public waters work permit program, contact a hydrologist at DNR area headquarters, or phone (651) 296-4800.