Lilydale's Bluff Forum Underscores Cooperation

About 40 residents filled Monday night to learn more about management of the bluff line and what options are out there to solve problems of vegetation, erosion and trail safety.

“The bluff is one of the best features because we’re looking over the river—and the bluff is also our most problematic feature,” said Mayor Anita Pampusch, who facilitated the discussion.

At the table were a variety of experts: Steve Sullivan from Dakota County Parks, Tina Markeson of the Department of Transportation, Jeff Berg from the Department of Natural Resources and Jeff Weiss, city engineer with Barr Engineering.

Each panelist introduced themselves and explained what role their agency has in management and ownership of the bluff.

MnDOT generally owns a large span of the bluff line, and leases land to Dakota County for the . Markeson said the agency wants to know about any activity on their property, including removal or trimming of vegetation, trees and invasive species.

Berg from the DNR said that the agency is a resource, but does not provide permits or own land along the bluff. He said that concerns about bluff management should be directed to local municipalities first, and generally the city is in a position to create ordinances for bluff management and critical area enforcement.

Weiss reviewed the relevant city ordinances regarding the bluff. He also recounted the basics of a study done on the bluff’s stability. He said that in general, there are no overhangs that would indicate a collapse-prone situation. Ironically, past slides down the bluff have actually stabilized the bottom in many places, he said.

Is Erosion the Issue?

Issues of erosion along the bluff line are a concern for some, in particular residents of Colony Townhomes. One Colony resident said he’s lost three feet of bluff line to erosion in the past year.

But for most, dealing with the vegetation and in particular the invasive species along the bluff line was the most vocal concern.

Markeson said MnDOT does not want residents trimming or removing growth from the bluffline, even if it is invasive. She said they also do not want residents “topping” trees, cutting the main trunk down, to establish better views. She said several of the species growing in Lilydale are susceptible to decay from these tactics, which could ultimately destabilize the bluff.

Residents from the audience followed up with questions and comments. One woman said she had done research on the cost of restoring the natural vegetation on the bluff. To do so would likely require buy-in from all the associations and a commitment of seven or more years.

Pampusch said the next step would likely be to guage the interest of the property owners to pursue a joint plan.

Council member Marilyn Lundberg, who also sits on the Lower Mississippi Watershed District along with council member Bob Bullard, said after the meeting she was optimistic that an agreement among the associations could be made.

However, to apply for grants and move forward with a plan would ultimately require cooperation from MnDOT.

According to Markeson, legal action between the agency and a bluff property owner has yet to be resolved, and MnDOT is not interested in altering or disturbing the bluff at this time.

“We’re kind of sticking to our guns right now and saying ‘no more’ until that gets figured out.”

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