Buffers

Natural buffers are designated zones surrounding critical or sensitive areas such as wetlands, streams, and forests. They function to mitigate the adverse effects of human activities and disturbances to the land. It is common for local regulations to establish conservation easements over the buffer areas to ensure their protection. Buffers and natural areas serve to safeguard water bodies from pollution caused by runoff, effectively filtering out contaminants like phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment before they reach the water. Additionally, conservation areas play a role in stabilizing shorelines, preventing erosion, and providing crucial habitats for wildlife. Please assist the city in enhancing our local environment and preserving water resources by adopting positive practices within and around conservation areas.

Benefits of buffers and conservation areas include:

• Creating and conserving habitats
• Removing pollutants
• Enhancing water quality
• Stabilizing slopes

 Prohibited activities within buffers and conservation areas include:

• Mowing, spraying, and dumping
• Disturbing natural vegetation
• Grading or excavation
• Tampering with buffer sign

For further information, please refer to the links below or contact the City of Chanhassen or local watershed district staff.

• Wetland buffer information from Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District
• Wetland buffer information from Minnehaha Creek Watershed District 
• Wetland buffer information from Lower MN River Watershed District

There are a variety of jurisdictional agencies at the federal, state, and local levels with different authorities of different wetlands. It can be challenging to navigate these rules and regulations, though several of the agencies have made a concerted effort to simplify the process by running their permitting under the same concurrent application. Typically, a resident can come to the city as the Local Governmental Unit charged with oversight of wetland protection. There are also a number of consultants that offer wetland services. For a list of qualified professionals, visit the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources website.

Chanhassen Protection Ordinance

The wetlands portion of the Surface Water Management Plan is intended to provide a plan for the protection and management of the city’s wetlands and associated natural resources. This plan has been developed in accordance with the Wetlands Conservation Act guidelines. The primary objectives are to:

1. Identify all of the wetlands within the city.
2. Complete a functions and values analysis on all wetlands within the City of Chanhassen to prioritize wetland regulations based on the functions and values of the wetland basin.
3. Identify the status and trends of wetlands.
4. Manage wetland resources with the intention of improving functions and values.
5. Identify short-term and long-term management strategies.
6. Provide wetland data to residents and developers.
7. Identify restoration opportunities.

Wetland Alteration Permit Applications

• City of Chanhassen Wetland Alteration Permit
• Joint Notification Application
• Wetland Boundary Delineation Application
• List of Certified Wetland Delineators

Resources

• Clean Water Act Section 404
• Wetland Conservation Act
• Wetlands on Agricultural Lands
• City Code - Wetland Protection

Chanhassen is home to the Seminary Fen, which contains one of the rarest types of wetland in the United States, a calcareous fen. Calcareous fens are characterized by a substrate of peat and are dependent on a constant supply of cold, oxygen-poor groundwater rich in calcium and magnesium bicarbonates. They have special protection under Minnesota state law and may not be drained, filled, or otherwise altered or degraded.

The Seminary Fen is also a Scientific Natural Area. This means there are no trails or other facilities, but the public is welcome to explore by foot, snowshoes, or skis. Parking is located from downtown Chaska, two miles East on Chaska Blvd. Camping, picnicking, and swimming are not allowed on SNAs. Bringing water or snacks on site is allowed.

Resources

• Types of Wetlands
• Wetland Benefits
• Wetland Classification Key
• Wetland Protection - BWSR
• Wetland Protection US Army Corps of Engineers
• Wetlands in Minnesota
• Wetland Regulation in Minnesota
• Wetland Regulation in Minnesota PDF
• City Code - Wetlands