4.2. SR 08-27-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT DIVISION WETLANDS SECTION TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Steve Rohlf, Elk River Building and Zoning Administrator Jim Smith, Conservation Officer, 10966 Peloquin Ave. NW, South Haven, MN. 55382 320-236-2210 13 August 2001 Moldenhauer Property Site Inspection During the afternoon of 13 August 2001 I inspected the property belonging to Gordon Moldenhauer and located in the City of Elk River, and adjacent to the Mississippi River and it's backwaters. The inspection was stimulated by complaints of tree and brush cutting and erosion concerns. Piles of trees, including elm, ash, willow, hackberry, and oak, were visible on the property, and I could see that the trees had been mechanically cut, and then gathered into piles. The owner of the property was present and identified himself as Gordon Moldenhauer. He told me that he and his brother cut and piled the trees. He also stated that he was aware that the tree cutting was restricted by the City of Elk River, and that he knew that trees larger than four inches in diameter were not supposed to be cut. Gordon told me that knew that he should have gotten permission, "a permit", from the City before doing the cutting. There was a steep slope between the top of the lots where the trees were piled and bott0'm of the flood plain.. The sloped area was scarred by where the trees had been cut and then dragged up to the top and piled. There were ruts of exposed dirt along the bank where the tree stumps remained but the trees had been cut and then dragged away. Light soil was evident, with a high potential for erosion from the steep slope down into the backwater flowage. Numerous trees were larger than four inches in diameter.