Removal of aquatic plants from Minnesota lakes may require a permit for lakeshore property owners. DNR staff members who issue permits for aquatic plant removal can help lakeshore owners avoid harming the lake or river near their home, said Steve Enger, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. “Aquatic plants serve many important functions in lakes. They prevent shoreline erosion, stabilize bottom sediments, provide habitat for fish and wildfire, and tie up nutrients that might otherwise grow algae. We encourage shoreline property owners to keep the disturbance of near shore vegetation as small as possible,” Enger said. “Removing too many aquatic plants can impair their ability to perform these important functions.” Lakeshore property owners are allowed to control a modest area of aquatic plants for swimming or boat docking without a permit from the DNR. Cutting, pulling, and raking vegetation is allowed under certain conditions including that the cleared area may not exceed 2,500 sq. feet, the cleared area cannot extend more than 50 feet along your shore and cut or pulled vegetation must be removed from the water. Floating leaf vegetation can also be maintained under conditions that the cleared channel must remain in the same place from year to year and that the vegetation be removed from the water as well. A DNR aquatic plant management permit must be obtained if plans include using herbicides or algaecides, installing or operating and automated plant control device, removing or relocating a bog, along with removing vegetation over the square feet limits. A permit fee for aquatic plant management is $35. For more information about the Aquatic Plant Management Program go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/shorelandmgmt/apg/regulations.html or by calling 651-296-6157.
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