Skip to main content

Bluff Standards Update

The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) updated its Watershed Management Plan in October 2018.  By State Statute, this update occurs every 10 years and local governments must comply with newly adopted standards.  Among the many updates to the Plan, the District established new standards related to land-disturbing activity along the Minnesota River Bluffs and other steep slope areas within the District. To align the City and Watershed District requirements, the City will consider updating its Bluff Protection Overlay Districts and related Code Sections.

View larger map

The map above allows users to identify the extents of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District’s new bluff standard (orange) in comparison with the City of Bloomington's existing bluff protection overlay districts (transparent blue).  This map can be displayed in 3D by clicking and holding the right mouse button (or using 2 fingers while navigating on a mobile device).

To be notified of updates, please enter your email in the E-Subscribe box on the right.

Steep Slopes Area

While many of the Watershed District's standards are consistent with Bloomington’s practices, a few amendments to the City Code are needed to ensure consistency.  Significant attention has been focused on standards for protecting steep slopes along the Minnesota River Valley from soil erosion. Bloomington has long taken steps to protect the bluffs along the river.  In 1982, the City adopted the Bluff Report District Plan, which provided the research and rationale for adoption of Bluff Protection Overlay (BPO) Zoning Districts that same year.  These districts protect areas situated between the 722 and 800 foot elevation lines along the River Valley bluff. 

The updated Watershed District Plan protects steep slope areas that have an average slope of 18 percent or greater measured over a horizontal distance of 25 feet or more, without referencing elevation lines.  This revised definition more accurately identifies areas with steep gradients, but the protected area varies from the City’s BPO District boundaries. 

Standards

Areas identified as having steep slopes by LMRWD's definition are subject to the standards in the following attachment  PDF icon LMRWD_Standards_Excerpt (Steep Slopes).pdf  once the Code is amended (prior to April 2020).

These areas may also fall within the City's existing Bluff Protection Overlay Zoning Districts, which are subject to standards found in the City Code Section 19.38.11 and 19.38.12.

Public Meetings

Study meetings (which members of the public may attend, but no testimony is taken) are scheduled on the following tentative dates:

  • May 9th - Planning Commission
  • May 14th - Sustainability Commission
  • July 8th (tentative) - City Council

Informational meetings are open to the public, and will be scheduled in summer 2019 following the City Council study meeting.  Dates will be posted here once final.  To be notified of updates, please enter your email in the E-Subscribe box on the right.

Public Hearings are anticipated Fall 2019.  

Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) Resources

The full Watershed Management Plan can be viewed at the District's webpage:  

http://www.lowermnriverwd.org/resources/watershed-plan-2018-2027

Updated standards are found in the Plan's Appendices:  

http://www.lowermnriverwd.org/application/files/5715/4212/5925/10._Appendices_2018_Final.pdf

Please note that the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District is fully independent of the City of Bloomington.

Best Practices along the Bluff

Minimize stormwater runoff down the bluff

  • Don't mow to the bluff edge or over the bluff; let deep-rooted vegetation anchor the top of the bluff slope and the bluff itself
  • Minimize impervious (paved) surfaces and lawn area
  • Direct runoff from paved surfaces into vegetated areas
  • Direct runoff away from the bluff edge to prevent soil erosion

Manage soil erosion

  • Stabilize bare slopes
    • Be careful when removing invasive species, which may leave bare soils prone to erosion
    • Cover bare soils with biodegradable erosion control blankets and/or logs
  • Plant bare areas with seedlings or seeds of native species and mulch

Maintain a Healthy, Native Bluff Environment

  • Don't dump yard waste, including grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and pet waste down the bluff
    • Clippings may contain chemicals that wash off into the waterways
    • Clippings also decompose and release nutrients, such as nitrogen, which attracts invasive species
  • Consider planting native species along a 10-20 foot buffer from the top of the slope
  • Learn to identify invasive species, and consult best practices for control

The above best practices are adapted from techniques identified in the MN DNR's Conserving your blufflands booklet that was intended for property owners along the St. Croix River.  

Additional information about bluff and steep slope protections are found in the MN DNR's shoreland management best practices here:  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/shoreland/bluff-slope-protections.html.

Best practices for eco-friendly yards are provided by Hennepin County's website here:  https://www.hennepin.us/residents/environment/protecting-land-water#landowner-guide.

Grant Resources

There are a few grants available to private property owners for small and large projects that implement some of the best practices listed above.

Hennepin County offers Natural Resource Grants for a variety of projects that preserve and restore natural areas.  More information is found here:  https://www.hennepin.us/residents/environment/natural-resources-funding

The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District offers a Cost-Share Grant for properties within its district (see map above).  More information is found here:  http://lowermnriverwd.org/resources/grants-cost-sharing

For properties in the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, there is also a Cost-Share Grant available to landowners.  More Information is found here:  https://www.ninemilecreek.org/get-involved/grants/

The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District also offers grants to landowners within its district for small and large projects. Learn more here:  http://www.rpbcwd.org/grants

Contact Information

E-Subscribe

Get email updates about Bluff Standards.

Tennessen warning
Please take notice that any data received by the City as the result of submitting this form will be classified as government data pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. Under the Data Practices Act, some or all of this data is classified as public data, including your name, address, email address, phone number, and other personal information provided by you. Public data is available to anyone requesting it and consists of all data furnished via this Web form. Please be advised that the correspondence will be added to the public record. The purpose and intended use of the information collected through this form is to obtain public input and data in support of City activities and services. You have the right to refuse to submit this form. If you choose not to submit this form, you will need to contact the City by another means if you wish to provide the information collected by the form.

Nondiscrimination and accommodation commitments
The City of Bloomington does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Bloomington services, programs, and activities. Upon request, this information can be provided in Braille, large print, audio tape and/or electronic format.