MINOR SHORELAND ALTERATION APPLICATION
Stearns County Environmental Services Department
Admin. Center Rm. 343 705 Courthouse Square St. Cloud, MN 56303
(320)656-3613 (800)450-0852 Fax (320)656-6484
$400
Application Fee
Permit #
Receipt #
Date of Receipt
A. Applicant Information
Applicant name (last, first, MI) Phone
Email
Applicant address
B. Project Location
Address of property affected
Parcel #
Lot, Block, Subdivision
¼ Section Section Twp - Range
C. Project Information
Waterbody name, number, & OHWL
Area of disturbed ground (in sq. feet or acres)
Volume of fill or excavation (in cubic yards)
TYPE OF WORK & AREA: (check all that apply)
Attach drawings & plans
(include all dimensions ex: Length, width & depth of altered areas)
Construct
Excavate
Remove
Access path
Rip rap
Shoreline
Drain
Fill
Repair
Sand blanket
Retaining wall
Other
Will this project correct an existing erosion problem? YES NO
Project Purpose:
Type of Erosion/Sediment Control Proposed:
Sod
Hydroseed
Coir Log
Seed & Straw Mulch
Disc-anchored mulch
Erosion Control Blanket
Silt Fence
Other:________________
DATES: Proposed start of activity:
Proposed completion:
CONTRACTOR:
Licensed Contractor Self
Stearns County Septic Cert #
Contractor
Name:
License #
AGREEMENT: I hereby certify that I am the owner of the above property and that the information contained herein is correct. I agree to do the proposed
work in accordance with the ordinances of Stearns County, Minnesota and also in accordance with any additional provisions or conditions which may
be attached to the permit being applied for. Signature of this application authorizes Environmental Services Staff, Board of Adjustment and/or Planning
Commission members, and County Board of Commissioners to enter upon the property to perform needed inspections and review. All have county-
issued badges. Entry may be without prior notice.
Signature of Property Owner:
Date:
I have read the enclosed materials about practices to preserve / restore healthy shorelines to protect fish/wildlife habitat
and the quality of our lakes, streams, and wetlands.
click to sign
signature
click to edit
Site Plan
In the space below or on additional sheets please provide the following:
1. Length, height and proximity to waterbodies of all proposed retaining walls.
2. Length, width, depth and proximity to waterbodies of ALL areas to be topographically altered.
3. Cut/fill volumes and location of all disturbed areas
4. Location/type of all proposed erosion and sediment control practices.
Applicant __________________ Permit # _________
Lot Coverage Calculation Worksheet
Lot coverage is limited to 25% of the total lot. The total may not be larger than the maximum coverage calculation
below. Please be advised that if you are over the lot coverage allowance, you must reduce your coverage or apply for a
variance before your proposed project will be permitted. Please calculate out all that apply to your situation. If an item
does not apply, please leave it blank.
Proposed Structure(s)
Length (ft)
Width (ft)
Total (ft
2
)
1.
2.
3.
Existing Structure(s)
House & Attached Garage
House Only
Detached Garage
Other Structures
*All sheds, utility buildings, dog
kennels, greenhouses, etc.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Deck(s)
Driveway/Parking Areas
*Asphalt, cement, gravel
Sidewalk, Patio, Paving Stones
Landscaping (plastic under rock)
Other
1.
2.
Total Coverage (ft
2
)
Lot Area (ft
2
):
X
25%
=
Maximum Coverage (ft
2
)
Lot Area: Calculate lot area by multiplying the length of the lot
times the width. However, if the length and width vary, as in the
example, take the average length and width:
Example
Average Width: 175’ + 186’= 361/2= 181’
Average Length: 226’ + 250’= 476/2= 238’
Lot Size: (W) 181’ * (L) 238’= 43,078 sq. ft
Lot Area: 43,078 square feet
Note: 1 Acre = 43,560 ft
2
250’
175’
226’
186’
Average Lot Width (ft):
Average Lot Length (ft):
Lot Area (sq. ft):
Or, if you know lot acreage, enter below:
X
43,560
sq. ft.
acres
Lot Square Feet
Healthy Shorelines
What is a Shore Impact Zone?
The shore impact zone is land located between the waterbody and one-half of the structure setback.
This concept was created in the 1989 shoreland standards to maintain existing buffers, limit the number of buildings
placed in close proximity to the water, reduce soil erosion caused by construction or vegetation removal, and
preserve aesthetic values. It serves to buffer the water from more intensive land uses.
A proliferation of accessory structures (boathouses, sh houses, sheds, etc.) clutters shores and displaces natural
vegetation. Moreover, construction near the shoreline brings grading and lling activities and increases erosion.
In order to protect shoreland soils, vegetation and aesthetics, the Shore Impact Zone was designated to protect
important amenities of the lake while still allowing for access to the waterbody.
Vegetation Management in Shoreland Areas
The protection of natural vegetation in shoreland areas, especially along lakes and streambanks, is critical to
maintaining water quality and wildlife habitat. Good shoreland management requires the protection of natural
vegetation in shore impact zones, steep slopes and bluff areas.
Shoreland vegetation (native trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses) provides numerous ecological benets including:
• Minimizes the erosive impact of raindrops
• Holds soils and limits soil erosion from surface runoff, which is important since high velocity or concentrated
runoff volumes can readily erode soils
• Removes nutrients in runoff which would degrade water quality
• Binds and strengthens the soil column with deep, dense roots which prevent and reduce the likelihood of
bank or slope failure
• Provides diverse sh and wildlife habitat
• Provides privacy and helps screen shoreland development
• Provides natural and aesthetic views
• Reduces erosion by protecting the banks against wave energy
Healthy Shorelines, February 2012 Page 1 of 2
What is a Healthy Shoreline?
A healthy shoreline supports a diverse community of sh and wildlife by
providing native vegetation that fullls their habitat needs where land and
water meet. Native vegetation provides important water quality functions
by slowing and ltering water runoff as it moves to the lake or stream.
Shorelines with a diverse mixture of native plants extending inland as
well as offshore of the bank are more resilient to wave and
ice erosion. Our lakes, streams and wetlands need healthy
shorelines to reduce runoff, lter pollutants, and provide
important habitat functions that benet sh and wildlife.
structure setback
shore
impact
zone
So What’s the Problem?
There are many shorelines where the banks were long ago stripped of the native plant community, including trees and
shrubs, and converted to turf grass-type lawns. The loss of this vegetation encourages soil erosion and nutrients to ow directly to
the lake. As these practices spread around a lake, there are fewer areas left to treat runoff water and provide habitat. Studies
of Minnesota lakes have shown that the removal of natural vegetation near the shoreline reduces the amount of habitat available
to songbirds and amphibians and reduces sh-nesting. Many of these problems could be prevented or minimized if an area of
native plants is maintained or restored.
Shoreland ordinances allow a limited number of trees and shrubs to be cleared to accommodate stairways and access paths.
However, the applicable standard for such removal is that the screening of structures, vehicles or other facilities as viewed
from the water may not be substantially reduced. Dead or diseased vegetation can be removed although they may be important
for songbirds and other wildlife. Invasive species can be an overwhelming problem both on the shore and in the water. The
local zoning ofce or DNR area hydrologist should be contacted for guidance before proceeding with any lakeshore alterations
or removal of live vegetation.
Protect the health of the vegetation growing on your property.
Invasive species tend to spread rapidly. Learn to identify the most common invasive species.
Invasives should be removed, but replanting native species may be needed to protect shorelines
from erosion.
• Use herbicides that are labeled for an aquatic site or use a more precise method of application,
like a wick applicator or a cotton glove over the top of a chemical resistant glove to apply the
product only to those plants you want to control.
• Leave vegetation in place to screen structures, vehicles or other facilities as viewed from the water.
Consider leaving dead or diseased vegetation in place as they may be important for songbirds and
other wildlife.
Most importantly, leave an area of native plants between the house and the shoreline area. Limit the removal of trees
and shrubs.
• If you have been mowing near the shoreline, simply discontinue that practice to allow growth of native plants or restore
and replant with native owers, shrubs or trees.
Contact the local Soil and Water Conservation District, DNR area hydrologist or your county zoning ofce to get assistance.
There are also a number of books and “on-line tools” (Restore Your Shore http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/restoreyourshore/in-
dex.html and Score Your Shore http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/scoreyourshore/index.html) and other literature available to help
you support shorelines that promote healthy lakes and streams and the biotic communities that depend on them.
Healthy Shorelines
DNR Information Center
Twin Cities: (651) 296-6157
Minnesota toll free: 1-888-646-6367
Telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD): (651) 296-5484
TDD toll free: 1-800-657-3929
Equal opportunity to participate in and benet from programs of the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources is available regardless of race, color,
national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, status with regard
to public assistance, age, or disability. Discrimination inquiries should be
sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or
the Equal Opportunity Ofce, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC
20240.
This information is available in an
alternative format on request.
© 2012 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources
DNR Ecological and Water Resources
website and a listing of Area Hydrologists:
http://mndnr.gov/waters
DNR Ecological and Water Resources
500 Lafayette Road, Box 32
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 259-5100
DNR Contact Information
Healthy Shorelines, February 2012 Page 2 of 2
Glossary of Terms
Shore Impact Zone:land located between the waterbody and one-half of the structure setback
Bluff Impact Zone:bluff and land located within 20 feet from the top of a bluff
Steep Slopes:
land having an average slope greater than 12 percent
Runoff:
precipitation or snow melt, which is not intercepted by vegetation, absorbed in soil, or evaporated, that moves
over the land surface to streams, lakes, ditches, and depressions in the ground
What Can You Do?