Permit required for alteration of aquatic vegetation
Any control of emergent vegetation, such as cattails, and the use of pesticides in public waters does require a DNR aquatic plant management permit. Aquatic plants such as cattail, bulrush, water lilies, and other aquatic vegetation are important because they reduce wave action (thereby reducing the threat of shoreline erosion), provide fish and wildlife habitat, buffer shorelines from pollutants, and provide other environmental benefits. DNR aquatic plant management permits are issued through the DNR Regional Fisheries Offices. The rules governing the destruction of aquatic vegetation are found in Minnesota Rules – Chapter 6280. See specifics further down on this page.
For further information:
Contact your DNR Regional or Area Fisheries Office.
LSA Grants available for relocation of floating bogs within the lake
The LSA board has established a $2,000 fund which will grant up to $200 to association members who have expenses related to moving a floating bog from their shoreline. Email LakeShamineau@gmail.com or call a board member for information. The Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District LSLID) also has a budget item for bog mitigation.
Floating Bog Permit available to LSA members each year
Each year, the association receives a bog permit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that allows members of the Lake Shamineau Association to move or remove floating clumps of cattails. Collecting, transplanting or removing aquatic vegetation requires a permit from the DNR Fisheries Aquatic Plant Management Program. Because of their value to a lake’s ecosystem, aquatic plants growing in public waters are considered state property under Minnesota law, and their removal is regulated
Lake Shamineau Association members are able to utilize the Association’s DNR Bog Mitigation Permit to remove floating cattail bogs less than 6 x 6 feet in size and relocate larger bogs by reattaching them and securing them to land. See permit rules on page 3. Non-members would need to apply for their own permit from the DNR. Click here for our bog permit for the current year.
Floating Bog DNR Rules
Per MN DNR, “The purpose of the DNR’s aquatic plant management program is to balance native plant conservation with the desires of lakeshore residents to recreate and access their property. State law establishes what property owners can do to control aquatic plants. DNR fisheries APM staff administer those controls via a permitting system.”
Is a DNR permit required to remove aquatic vegetation? Any control of emergent vegetation, such as cattails, and the use of pesticides in public waters does require a DNR aquatic plant management permit.
Aquatic plants such as cattail, bulrush, water lilies, and other aquatic vegetation are important because they reduce wave action (thereby reducing the threat of shoreline erosion), provide fish and wildlife habitat, buffer shorelines from pollutants, and provide other environmental benefits. DNR aquatic plant management permits are issued through Aquatic Plant Management Permitting Staff. The rules governing the destruction of aquatic vegetation are found in Minnesota Rules – Chapter 6280
Who is responsible for removing a bog that floated across the lake and lodged on my shoreline? Is a DNR permit required to remove it? If a floating bog becomes a nuisance, it is the responsibility of the property owner(s) where the bog is grounded to move the bog to an acceptable location. Moving a floating bog away from your property requires a DNR aquatic plant management permit issued through the DNR Regional Fisheries Office. DNR responsibility is limited to the following:
- Provide advice and approval on bog disposition.
- Remove any floating bogs lodged on state owned dams or other DNR property.
NOTE: Minnesota Rules 6280 describes permit requirements relating to the removal of aquatic vegetation.
Subp. 2. Actions requiring an APM permit.
Except as provided in subpart 1, a person must have an APM permit for all aquatic plant management activities below the ordinary high water level in public waters, including:
1. C. relocating or removing a bog or portion thereof;
Subp. 3. Justification required for issuance of permits.
Permits for the control of emergent and floating-leaf aquatic plants will not be issued unless the commissioner determines sufficient justification exists. The commissioner will consider the relevant criteria in subpart 3a and balance the reasonable needs of riparian owners to gain access and use public water against the need to protect emergent and floating-leaf aquatic plants so that the integrity and value of the aquatic plant community is maintained.
Subp. 3a. Criteria for issuing APM permits.
The commissioner may issue APM permits for public waters to provide riparian access, enhance recreational use, control invasive aquatic plants, manage water levels, and protect or improve habitat. The following criteria shall be considered to determine if an APM permit should be approved or denied and how much control or harvest to allow under an APM permit: