2011 Minnesota Statutes

103B.701 STAR LAKES.

Subdivision 1.Definition.

For the purposes of this section, the term "lake association" means an association organized for the purpose of addressing issues on a specific lake or river, a lake improvement district, or a lake conservation district.

Subd. 2.Application.

(a) A lake association may apply to the Star Lake Board for designation as a star lake or river. The applicant must include a copy of a star lake or river management plan for the lake or river.

(b) After review of the application, the Star Lake Board shall determine whether designation as a star lake or river will be granted. The designation as a star lake or river becomes effective the day following designation by the board. The board shall publish the decision on a star lake or river designation in the State Register, including the effective date of the designation.

(c) The star lake or river designation is effective until the earlier of:

(1) five years after the date of designation; or

(2) when the Star Lake Board finds that the lake association is not fulfilling the requirements of this section or of the star lake or river management plan submitted.

(d) Within six months before the expiration date of the designation as a star lake or river, a lake association may apply to continue the star lake or river designation under this section.

Subd. 3.Eligibility.

A lake association applying for designation as a star lake or river must:

(1) develop and update a star lake or river management plan as provided in subdivision 4;

(2) maintain a membership or participation of at least 50 percent of the private shoreland owners;

(3) participate in a water quality monitoring program under section 115.06, subdivision 4, or other programs meeting Pollution Control Agency standards; and

(4) meet at least annually to review the plan and notify appropriate state agencies and local government units in the development and monitoring of the star lake or river management plan.

Subd. 4.Star lake or river management plan.

(a) A star lake or river management plan must contain a baseline of the current condition of the lake or river based on scientific information and plans for addressing the following issues:

(1) increases in native vegetation in the littoral area of the lake or river, where appropriate;

(2) increases in native vegetation on the shoreline areas of the lake or river, where appropriate;

(3) prevention, reduction, or elimination of aquatic invasive species in the lake or river;

(4) increasing or maintaining a healthy diverse fishery that is appropriate for the lake or river;

(5) how the association will work with state agencies and local government units to identify water pollution sources and impairments;

(6) how the association will assist state and local programs to generate data needed by state agencies and local government units in an appropriate format;

(7) promoting compliance with adopted shoreland zoning standards and shoreland best management practices;

(8) how the lake association will ensure its involvement in public input opportunities for various local comprehensive and project-specific planning and zoning processes;

(9) education and recognition opportunities for shoreland owners and other entities that conduct activities affecting the quality of the lake or river; and

(10) other activities that will coordinate with or enhance other state and local water management efforts.

(b) The star lake or river management plan shall be updated within five years of adoption by the lake association.

Subd. 5.State resources.

State agencies may consider star lake or river designation in determining the allocation of financial and staff resources.

History:

2008 c 363 art 5 s 17