SF 616

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/23/2012 09:05am

A bill for an act
relating to waters; requiring urban storm water retention pond buffers; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [103F.812] URBAN STORM WATER RETENTION POND BUFFER.
new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) "metropolitan local government" means (i) a county, home rule charter or
statutory city, or town within the seven-county metropolitan area consisting of Anoka,
Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties or (ii) a city of the
first class; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "storm water retention pond" means a water quality treatment pond constructed
or maintained to pretreat storm water runoff prior to discharge to wetlands, public waters,
or other water bodies.
new text end

new text begin (b) A metropolitan local government shall maintain a ten-foot to 15-foot buffer
around any storm water retention pond located on property owned by the metropolitan
local government. Mowing, tilling, trimming, and the use of herbicides is prohibited
within the buffer from March 31 to August 31 each year. If property boundaries or other
physical barriers prevent maintenance of a ten-foot to 15-foot buffer, a metropolitan local
government shall maintain the largest buffer possible within the existing physical confines.
new text end