1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to waters; requiring urban storm water retention pond buffers;proposing 
1.3 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103F.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [103F.812] URBAN STORM WATER RETENTION POND BUFFER.
1.6 	(a) For purposes of this section:
1.7 	(1) "metropolitan local government" means (i) a county, home rule charter or 
1.8 	statutory city, or town within the seven-county metropolitan area consisting of Anoka, 
1.9 	Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties or (ii) a city of the 
1.10 	first class; and
1.11 	(2) "storm water retention pond" means a water quality treatment pond constructed 
1.12 	or maintained to pretreat storm water runoff prior to discharge to wetlands, public waters, 
1.13 	or other water bodies.
1.14 	(b) A metropolitan local government shall maintain a ten-foot to 15-foot buffer 
1.15 	around any storm water retention pond located on property owned by the metropolitan 
1.16 	local government. Mowing, tilling, trimming, and the use of herbicides is prohibited 
1.17 	within the buffer from March 31 to August 31 each year. If property boundaries or other 
1.18 	physical barriers prevent maintenance of a ten-foot to 15-foot buffer, a metropolitan local 
1.19 	government shall maintain the largest buffer possible within the existing physical confines.