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October 31, 1985 <br />All Municipalities <br />Water Surface Use Management /Local Restrictions <br />Growing recreational pressures on area lakes continue to draw attention to potential <br />crowding and safety considerations. Existing state statutes and rules, which apply to <br />all Minnesota public waters, do form a basis for safe and equitable interaction of <br />differing recreational activities on surface water resources. It is apparent, however, <br />that an increasing number of lake basins are in need of site specific rules and regulations <br />to ensure appropriate resource use. This is especially true of metropolitan lakes. <br />Under the direction of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, rules and <br />regulations governing development and enforcement of local surface use restrictions <br />have been enacted. These regulations provide a means for local control of water <br />resources. The procedures enable local authorities to tailor surface use restrictions to <br />meet the needs and concerns of the surrounding community(s), while addressing the <br />individual characters of specific water resources. <br />Ramsey County believes the provisions for local control provide an important tool for <br />area municipalities. To help local authorities mbre fully recognize and understand the <br />role they can play in surface use management, we have prepared the following summary <br />of applicable statutes and regulations. Minnesota Water Surface Use Zoning Statutes <br />include Minnesota Statute, Chapters 361.25 and 361.26; Minnesota Statute, Chapters <br />378.32 and 398.34; and Minnesota Statute, Chapter 459.20 (see attachment #1, i -iv). <br />Rules governing Water Surface Use Management are found in regulations 6 MCAR, <br />Chapter 1.0220, Chapter 1.0221, Chapter 1.0222, and Chapter 1.0223 (see attachment <br />#1, pages 1 -7). The latter clearly specifies criteria for development and enforcement <br />of local surface use restrictions. <br />A brief synopsis of rules for surface use ordinance enactment is as follows: <br />1. Ordinances may be requested by a county, city, town, or where applicable, lake <br />conservation district authorities. <br />Page 31 <br />