Skogen: Public input still taken on dock issues

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Dan Skogen

The public comment period on new DNR dock rules and regulations is an ongoing process, said Minnesota State Sen. Dan Skogen (D-Hewitt) who on Saturday addressed members of the Otter Tail Coalition of Lakes Association (COLA) at the Ottertail Community Room.

DNR General Permit No. 2008-0401 was issued to address a growing problem and deal with inconsistencies in the existing rules. In parts of the state there have been an increase in the size and number of platforms at the end of docks.

Even though there have been regulations on docks for many years, numerous unauthorized platforms have been installed and continue to be marketed. After a year of educating people about relevant regulations and gathering information from the dock industry, a decision was made on what the new General Permit would authorize.

General Permit No. 2008-0401 considers many of the concerns that the DNR heard over the many months of information gathering. It acknowledges that standard dock sections may be longer than eight feet and are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes.

“It suggests that impacts in the lake be kept to a modest area because the DNR is aware that the sprawl of docks, canopies, aquatic plant removal, sand blankets, boat lifts, and other disturbances do affect the near shore ecology of lakes,” Skogen said. “However, people wanted different lakes treated differently, so the permit is only effective on lakes with general development and recreational development shoreland classification.”

Skogen said that counties such as Otter Tail and lake conservation districts have the ability to opt out of having the general permit applicable within their jurisdictions.

On another issue, he said that shore and development rules, which have not been updated since 1989, also are being addressed by the DNR as are public comments on new dock rules and regulations.

As for successes and failures on invasive species eradication and control, Skogen told COLA members that there’s nothing new legislatively — just reminders pertaining to invasive species awareness on the part of the general public.

Skogen spent some time with COLA members talking about the constitutional amendment for the environment, parks, and the arts.

“A study will determine how many lake home owners are renting out their homes for awhile during the summer months,” Skogen said.

“We need to know if these homes are safe.”