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CAT:643
This one-page document provides a brief synopsis of roadside ditch mowing, a summary of results from a survey sent to county engineers on current ditch mowing policies and practices, and some quotes from county engineers on ditch mowing policies and practices in general.
file:644
The purpose of this handbook is to provide county commissioners and engineers a resource for optimal ditch mowing practices and policies. The handbook provides results from a survey sent to county engineers regarding their thoughts on ditch mowing policies and practices. It also contains an annotated best policy, as well as three best management practices for commissioners and engineers to follow based on the survey data.
file:645
Members from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration created a report of best management practices for managers and decision makers to use specifically for pollinators. The report consists of various implementation methods for transportation agencies, landowners, and other roadside entities that benefit pollinators such as bumblebees and butterflies.
file:646
The Minnesota Local Road Research Board funded this handbook for the Minnesota Department of Transportation to properly maintain roadsides. This handbook includes eight best management practices for roadside vegetation in Minnesota, as well as several examples of each best management practice. These examples range from local and county-level government within Minnesota to state-level government across the country.
file:647
This compilation of stakeholder feedback for mowing and haying in the right-of-way was directed toward the Commissioner of Transportation in Minnesota. The feedback provides recommendations for obtaining permits and improving the permit process for mowing and haying. Other feedback includes recognizing environmental concerns that stem from mowing and haying in the right-of-way, improving the safety of permittees, and the frequency and priority of permits themselves.
file:648
The Minnesota Department of Transportation provided a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page after its announcement of a new permit for mowing and haying in the right-of-way.
file:649
The Nebraska Department of Transportation provided its residents with a publication of its integrated roadside vegetation management (IRVM) plan. This is a good example of an IRVM, and it includes multiple best management practices such as planting native seed mixtures, chemically controlling noxious weeds, and a section on harvesting hay from the right-of-way.
file:650
Washington County’s roadside mowing policy is one that provides detail and relevant connections to Minnesota State Statute. This copy of the policy’s text illustrates its thoroughness and attention to detail that other counties should imitate when pursuing a roadside mowing policy.
file:651
CAT:118
Join researchers from the University of Minnesota's Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center as they provide you with basic information on some of Minnesota's most notorious aquatic invasive species. What makes these plants, animals and pathogens able to spread so quickly and take over so completely? Do these species have any weaknesses that can be exploited to control them? What are the best available control measures currently available and are there better options on the horizon?
file:119
Combating the spread of aquatic invasive species will be MOST effective if counties approach the challenge through development and implementation of a comprehensive plan. How can Prevention Aid grants be best used? How can staffing be approached? Are there existing campaigns or programs? What are the best strategies, methods and tools? How can they be best delivered? Join us to learn about the best prevention measures that can be effectively developed, implemented and evaluated.
file:120
This webinar covers the new Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention (AISP) Aid dollars that will soon go out to Minnesota counties to help with their AIS prevention programs.
file:121
This resource guide provides strategies to help counties maximize the effectiveness of their AIS prevention aid. The guide includes suggestions for assessing county needs, implementing prevention programs, and communicating with the public and state agencies.
file:122
This document includes frequently asked questions and answers about the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Aid dollars for county AIS programs.
file:123
Counties can use this document to connect with organizations with free AIS prevention educational materials for distribution at events such as county fairs.
file:124
CAT:222
This FAQ document answers questions about the Minnesota buffer law, it includes questions and answers on: the establishment and maintenance of buffers, use of alternate practices, funding for buffer implementation, other buffer law provisions, and compliance and enforcement.
file:224
This webpage is a comprehensive resource for understanding and implementing the buffer program. The webpage includes publications, toolkits, and videos on the 2016 buffer law changes, buffer program updates, implementation guidance, and compliance and tracking. It includes resources for local governments as well as landowners.
file:225
Under the new buffer law, the Department of Natural Resources is responsible for producing and maintaining "a map of public waters and public ditch systems that require permanent vegetation buffers" that landowners, BWSR, and local governments can use to implement the law. This webpage includes the buffer map and frequently asked questions about buffers.
file:226
This document has two model resolutions that counties may use to affirm or waive jurisdiction to enforce the water quality buffer initiative. The buffer law requires a county to affirm its jurisdiction, otherwise the law will be enforced by the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources. The first model resolution affirms the county's jurisdiction to enforce the buffer law and the second resolution waives a county's jurisdiction, thus giving enforcement responsibilities to the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources.
file:223
This one pager summarizes Minnesota's water quality buffer initiative. It includes questions for County Boards as they weigh whether to assume jurisdiction over the enforcement of the law. The document also links to additional resources for landowners and county officials.
file:261
This chart contains a preliminary estimate of buffer aid distribution by county.
file:271
CAT:199
Produced by the Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) in 2002, this guide outlines drainage law in Minnesota. BWSR is in the process of updating the guide, which will hopefully be available in late 2016.
file:200
CAT:106
Drafting an effective and legal sign ordinance is complicated. This AMC Fact Sheet gives an overview of the issues many counties face surrounding sign ordinances.
file:107
This League of Minnesota Cities fact sheet explains how to design a sign ordinance that meets the requirements of the First Amendment for protecting various forms of speech.
file:108
This publication from the State of New York gives detailed information on developing legal sign ordinances.
file:109
This video discusses what local governments need to do to ensure that their sign codes comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2015 decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert. That decision established that any sign regulation that "on its face" requires a consideration of a sign's content to determine how that sign will be regulated is "content-based" and subject to "strict scrutiny." Many, if not most, sign codes contain such distinctions in the regulation of temporary signs; for example, by treating "real estate" signs differently than "political" signs. After Reed, such distinctions will be upheld only if local government can prove they serve a "compelling governmental interest" and are "narrowly-tailored" to achieve that interest. This session will provide guidance on: (1) when and how to replace content-based sign regulations with effective content-neutral sign regulations and (2) which content-based regulations should be retained and how to defend them if challenged.
file:110
CAT:276
This Excel sheet contains sheets with checklists for parcel splits with or without a deed.
file:277
This document includes two sample resolutions authorizing a county to review land transfers or divisions before they are recorded. A county may use the sample language as a guide when drafting its policy. However, if a county uses language from these samples, its final resolution should be evaluated by its planning and zoning personnel and county attorney before adoption.
file:278
CAT:164
This white paper examines product stewardship and paint recycling efforts in California, Minnesota and Oregon.
file:165
This PowerPoint presentation describes the paint recycling program recently passed in Minnesota. The presentation includes necessary steps to implementing the program along with descriptions of programs in other states.
file:171
CAT:145
This webinar provides an overview of the relationship between Minnesota counties and soil & water conservation districts. Presented by LeAnn Buck, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
file:146
This handbook's primary purpose is to inform newly elected Solid and Water Conservation District Supervisors about their role and responsibilities. However, it is also an excellent resource for learning about the history of SWCDs, the powers and duties of SWCDs, and SWCDs relationships with other resource agencies and associations.
file:169
This PowerPoint presentation reviews the laws that apply to Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the district boards' powers. It addresses the duties and governance function of a SWCD and the role of SWCD supervisors. The final section of the presentation summarizes the relationship of SWCDs with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.
file:170
CAT:210
Chisago County is building the 100 MW North Star Solar facility, which when completed, will be the largest solar farm in the Midwest. This guide is a collection of documents used by Chisago County in developing its solar farm, it includes: Chisago's zoning ordinance, an environmental assessment, an information packet on the solar project, the solar working group final report, and a wildlife corridor assessment.
file:211
This website is a one-stop shop for information about solar projects in Minnesota. The website explains the basics of solar and provides additional resources on the benefits, technologies, applications, and standards of solar energy. In addition, the webpage includes information specific to Minnesota solar projects.
file:212
This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about solar gardens including: what are they, how do they work, and who can participate.
file:213
This website provides guidance for local governments interested in exploring community solar projects. The website includes information on a local government's options for solar, the role of developers, and steps to constructing a project, including RFP examples
file:214
This comprehensive toolkit helps local governments with the solar planning, zoning, and permitting processes. The toolkit includes a summary of Minnesota state solar laws as well as considerations for local policies. It also includes a model ordinance and permit template.
file:273
CAT:191
During the 2016 legislative session, state lawmakers passed Chapter 111, establishing a new permitting process for temporary family health care dwellings. Learn how this law will impact your county and what options county leaders have for implementing the new law.
file:192
CAT:274
This comprehensive toolkit details what local governments need to know about wind energy production in their communities. The toolkit outlines issues counties should consider before drafting a wind ordinance. It also includes a Minnesota-specific model ordinance developed from other model ordinances, regulatory findings, state law, and local examples.
file:275
This Excel document includes the Wind Energy Production Tax revenue data for each county from 2004 to 2017. The first spreadsheet contains the annual revenue collected by each county for the wind energy production tax. The second spreadsheet shows the annual kilowatt hours of wind energy production for each county.
file:281
This report outlines the Minnesota taxation policies for electric energy producing systems. The report includes a section on the Wind Energy Production Tax (WEPT). The section details the WEPT's current tax rates, revenue distribution to local governments, and exclusions/exemptions to the tax.
file:282