| Erosion on the North Shore
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| UNDER CONSTRUCTION Since 1987 when the North Shore Management Board (NSMB) was formed, erosion has continued to be a topic of concern, given Lake Superior’s changing water levels, clay banks, steep bluffs, and major wave capacity, the North Shore has potential for many erosion issues. Recently the NSMB has discussed the lack of resources and project examples that local governments can refer to when an erosion control project is proposed to them. This Erosion Forum was organized to educate elected officials and planning commissioners in erosion issues and highlight what to look for when approving erosion related projects on the North Shore. A series of presentations by local experts on erosion and stormwater control gave an overview of erosion issues and reviewed some efforts that are underway. Also a series of site visits near the Two Harbors area gave further insight into the considerations necessary to reduce erosion. There was also a facilitated discussion on how to aid local governments in addressing erosion. This project was funded in part by the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in conjunction with Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program. |
| Erosion Forum Summary Document
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| Erosion Forum Summary Click Here Erosion Forum Agenda- Click Here |
| Erosion Forum Videos
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| Jesse Schomberg Tim Nelson Wayne Seidel Site Assessment |
| Previous NSMB Erosion Efforts
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| Erosion Hazard Area Planning Definition Process |
| Online Planning Commissioner Tools
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| The local governments along the North Shore have many tools that are available to them. The following is a summary of these tools to use in land use and erosion related decision making. Erosion and Sediment Control Planning Checklist This checklist was developed by Wayne Seidel to help property owners develop their own sediment and erosion control plans. It provides a list of things to consider when developing a plan. The checklist is available in the Appendix of the Forum Summary Document. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources The DNR provides Ecological assistance to local governments including information about local original vegetation, existing native plant communities, and other ecological information. Information is available via electronic GIS data, hard copy maps, publications, assistance in drafting open space and comprehensive plans, and access to natural resource professionals with special expertise. The DNR encourages local governments to consider natural resources when completing planning projects. They provide a variety of checklists that can be used when going through any kind of decision making processes. A wide variety of additional resources are available on the Minnesota DNR website at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/nrplanning/community/index.html DNR Watershed Assessment Tool This DNR Site provides education as well as information that would be very beneficial to local governments, especially when dealing with watersheds. Website: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watershed_tool/ hydrology.html Decision Support Tools from NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a Coastal Services Center that provides decision support tools for local governments. Some of the services include: •Hazard assessment tools •Risk and vulnerability assessment tools •Nonpoint source pollution and erosion comparison tool •Impervious surface analysis tool •CanVis visualization tool These tools can be accessed at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/tools.html Minnesota Pollution Control Agency- Stormwater Manual The manual is meant for both professionals and homeowners that details Best Management Practices and other information that is beneficial to both partners. This resource can be found at: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/stormwater/stormwater-manual.html Minnesota Erosion Control Association MECA works to advance effective stormwater management and erosion control practices and have numerous resources available on their website at: http://www.mnerosion.org/resources.html Other Local Resources Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District http://www.co.cook.mn.us/index.php/soil-and-water Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District http://www.co.lake.mn.us South St. Louis County Soil and Water Conservation District http://www.southstlouisswcd.org/index.htm Minnesota Sea Grant http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ Natural Resources Research Institute http://www.nrri.umn.edu/default/ Board of Water and Soil Resources http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/ |