Minnesota's Shoreland Management Program guides land development along Minnesota’s lakes and rivers to protect their ecological, recreational, and economic values. The state shoreland rules (MR 6120.2500 - 6120.3900) establish minimum standards to protect habitat and water quality and preserve property values. These standards are implemented through Pope County’s Land Use Controls Ordinance, Section 4, Shoreland Districts.

In Pope County, Shoreland is defined as:

• 1,000 ft from the Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL) of a lake, pond or flowage which is designated as a Public Water Basin or Wetland
• 500 ft from the OHWL of a river or stream which is designated as a Public Water Watercourse, Public Ditch or Altered Natural Watercourse

Resources

• MN DNR Shoreland Information for Property Owners
• MN DNR Shoreland Regulations
• MN DNR Area Hydrologists
• MN DNR Managing Nonconforming Lots in Shoreland
• MN DNR Bluff and Slope Protections
• MN DNR LakeFinder
• Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC)
• Watch this animated video, "Our Lakeshore Connection", about lakeshore restoration and stewardship - Created in collaboration with the Anoka County Water Resource Outreach Collaborative and several local Lake Associations

Reporting

• 2018 - Shoreland - NRBG - All-Detail Report
• 2019 - Shoreland - NRBG - All-Detail Report
• 2020 - Shoreland - NRBG - All-Detail Report