Shoreland Management Programs

Program Mission Statement

Make Minnesota's shoreland management options more understandable and responsive to citizens by coordinating DNR Waters shoreland-related programs with other DNR disciplines, agencies, boards, committees, associations and public groups involved in comprehensive shoreland management/watershed efforts.

Shoreland Management Program (Minnesota Rules 6120.2500 - 3900)

This program provides the backbone of statewide standards that local governmental units must adopt into their own land use controls to provide for the orderly development and protection of Minnesota's shorelands (both rivers and lakes). DNR Waters provides technical assistance to local governmental units in the adoption and administration of their shoreland controls. This involves planning and zoning assistance to local governmental units by DNR Area Hydrologists and Shoreland Management staff.

See Shoreland Rules Update Project to monitor the rulemaking process for updating the statewide shoreland management standards. As part of this process, the DNR is considering incorporating the rules governing state-designated wild, scenic, and recreational rivers into the shoreland rules.

See Alternative Shoreland Management Standards for enhanced standards developed by North Central Lakes Pilot Project.

See Sample Shoreland Management Ordinance Document PDF icon. for a model ordinance local units of government can adopt to manage the shorelands in their county or community.

See Shoreland Management Reference Materials for previous reports, projects, rules, classifications, and guidance documents.

See A Guide for Buying and Managing Shoreland for information about management, lake and river classifications, minimum standards, and evaluating shoreland property.

Lake Improvement District Program (Minnesota Statutes 103B.501 - 103B.581)

Minnesota Statutes allow local citizen initiatives to petition counties to create lake improvement districts in order to address specific concerns within a lake watershed that cannot be addressed under normal governmental actions. Citizens and local governments willing to undertake such initiatives benefit from greater local involvement in the management of their own lakes. DNR Waters provides oversight and assistance.

Lake Improvement Districts - An Overview PDF icon.
Lake Improvement Districts - Questions and Answers PDF icon.
Lake Improvement Districts - Statutes The is an external site.
(Minnesota Statutes 103B.501-103B.581)
Lake Improvement Districts - Rules The is an external site.
(Minnesota Rules 6115.0900-6115.0980)

Shoreland Stewardship: Tips for Landowners

Other Useful Links

Staff