Shoreland
Regulating Use of Shoreland
The Minnesota Legislature has delegated responsibility to local governments, including Blue Earth County, to regulate the subdivision, use and development of shorelands of public waters to preserve our natural resources and water quality. Shoreland includes land located within the following distances from public waters:- 1,000 feet from the ordinary high water level of a lake, pond, or flowage; and,
- 300 feet from a river or stream; or,
- The landward extension of a designated flood plain, whichever is greater
Minnesota’s Shoreland Management Program
Blue Earth County administers Minnesota’s Shoreland Management Program. This program from the Department of Natural Resources provides for the orderly development and protection of Minnesota’s shorelands, including rivers, lakes and streams.As a part of adhering to the standards of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource’s Shoreland Management Program, permits may be required for construction activities, intended use, topographical alterations, ice ridge repair, and vegetation removal activities.
The single most important thing you can do is maintain and/or restore natural vegetation along your shoreline. Natural vegetation:
- Holds soil in place protecting shorelines from increasingly intensive rain events and rising water levels.
- Slows runoff and stores moisture.
- Filters out nutrients, which along with rising lake temperatures, accelerates algae blooms.
- Provides habitat.
Resources - Fact Sheets from the DNR
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Stairs, Landings and Lifts
- Shoreline Alterations and Riprap
- What is a Healthy Shoreline
- Shoreline Alterations: Natural Buffers and Lakescaping
- Shoreline Alterations: Ice Ridges
For More Information
Please contact the Blue Earth County Property and Environmental Resources Department at (507) 304-4251 for information specific to your property or before doing any vegetative alterations or earthwork in shoreland areas.Contact Us
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Blue Earth County Government Center
Location Address:
410 S 5th St
Mankato MN 56001
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 3566
Mankato MN 56002-3566
Ph: (507) 304-4251
Hours
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday