Environmental Services

The Environmental Services Division is responsible for trees, trails and trash within the City of Shoreview. All county roads are the responsibility of Ramsey County; all state and interstate highways, the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Traffic signs and signals are maintained and operated by the agency responsible for the adjacent roadways.

Trees

This division is responsible for the preservation of the community forest as a valuable natural asset to the City's quality of life, and prevention and control of tree pests that threaten urban trees is a high priority to the City of Shoreview. This division is responsible for reforestation efforts through the replacement of trees removed due to capital projects or disease, and the planting of public flower beds and landscaped mediums.

View Licensed Tree Trimmers here

View Emerald Ash Borer Flyer

Tree Disease

Symptoms provide clues for field diagnosis of plant problems.

Are the leaves on your oak trees wilting? Does the crown look thinner than the rest of the tree? Do leaves become discolored and fall soon after? If so, suspect Oak Wilt.

Do the leaves on your oaks turn brown and remain on the tree? If so, suspect Drought Damage.

If your flowering crab apples lose leaves, suspect Apple Scab Fungus. This problem becomes worse if we have a wet spring.

Blackened, curling, thinning leaves on the lower canopy of white oaks indicate another foliar fungus called Anthracnose.

If leaves high in the crown of a boulevard elm yellow while brown leaves litter the lawn below, suspect Dutch Elm Disease.

If you suspect any of these tree diseases, contact the City Environmental Officer. He will visit the site and evaluate problems on outdoor plants. He can also advise you on control measures for plant-related pests, preventive measures to minimize construction damage, and recommend plant materials native to the area. It is a free service to City residents.

Trails

This division provides support for the planning and maintenance of the City's trailway system, and promotion/coordination of other forms of alternative transportation through the Bike & Trailways Committee.

Adopt-A-Trail Program

Looking for a great outdoor activity that helps your community? Shoreview has a trail adoption program to help keep our wonderful trail system clean of litter. This is a community service based program open to all neighborhood groups and organizations interested in contributing in a very visible way to their neighborhoods.

Who can adopt a trail?

This program is open to any neighborhood, corporation, and youth or civic group in the city of Shoreview.

What are the responsibilities of an adopted trail segment?

The only agreement that is requested of a group or organization adopting a trail segment is that litter on or within close proximity of the trail is picked up 2-3 times a year. Recommended times during the year for cleaning is early spring, mid-summer, and late fall. The amount of time it takes to clean the trail will depend on the area of the trail and the length adopted.

What determines the adopted trail segment and how long it will be?

We will try to match the location and distance as best possible to where your group or organization is located. The location will be affected by how many trails have already been adopted in your area. Length of trail will be determined in part by natural breaking points (i.e. where trails converge or end) and by how much your group is willing to take on.

What is involved in picking up the trail?

Select the desired location of trail, establish your activity dates and contact the City of Shoreview for confirmation. If the group includes children, then the city provides warning vests to be used when picking up litter close to the streets. In addition, things such as bags, gloves, rakes and other miscellaneous items may be needed prior to going out.

What assistance will the city provide?

The City of Shoreview will provide trash bags and vests upon request. With advance notice, the city will work out a pick up of the filled trash bags. Also, any large or unusual items found along the trail are handled by the city.

The Public Works Department is responsible for the programming and management of the sidewalk and trail infrastructure consistent with the original Master Trail Plan (1988) and Shoreview's Comprehensive Plan (2000). Maintenance activities include trail pavement and sidewalk panel repair and/or replacement, trail sweeping, edge mowing, and snow removal.

As of 2006, there were 44 miles of bituminous trail segments and 16 miles of concrete sidewalk. In addition, there are numerous special structures encountered which include:

Shoreview sidewalk and trail map →

Buckthorn Bust

This semi-annual buckthorn bust is held at the Shoreview Commons woods, east of the Community Center. Shoreview's environmental staff explain safe removal techniques and the city provides tools and chemicals. The goal is to replace this invasive species with a habitat of native Minnesota plants. Volunteers of all experience levels are needed. They can choose tasks that suit their physical abilities (pulling small seedlings, cutting shrubs and trees, spraying stumps with herbicide or dragging branches into piles). Because sharp tools and chemicals are used, children should stay at home.

Interested volunteers should contact the Public Works Department at 651.490.4650.

Read more about buckthorn

Vegetation

Native Plants and Grasses

Native plants are increasingly used for gardening, landscaping, and restoring and reclaiming native plant communities. They can provide natural beauty, cost-effective landscaping alternatives, environmental services, and habitat for wildlife. This web site provides resources for Minnesotans interested in learning more about how to use native plants.

Defining native

Native plants are plants that are indigenous to a particular region. In Minnesota, plants are considered native if they occurred here at the time of the Public Land Survey (1847-1907), which was conducted prior to and during the early stages of European settlement.

Why native vegetation is important

Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. Native plants work well for many landscaping and wildlife habitat plantings, because once established, they seldom need watering, mulching, protection from frost or continuous mowing. Native plants provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, birds and other animals. In contrast, many common horticultural plants do not produce nectar and often require insect pest control to survive.

Many native grasses and wildflowers protect soil with their deep and spreading root systems, helping to prevent erosion. Areas with diverse perennial native plantings have less water runoff than ground covers composed of one non-native species such as bluegrass or purple crown vetch. In developed areas, one way to help water infiltrate into the ground rather than run off into storm sewers is to create depressions filled with native plants called rain gardens.

In nature, plants occur in native plant communities, which include all the native plants in an area together with their environment. Some examples of the many communities that occur in Minnesota include dry prairies, wet prairies, oak forests, pine forests, and marshes. Native plant communities are vital components of ecosystems. In order to be healthy and sustainable, an ecosystem needs to be filled with a wide array of plants and animals indigenous to the area.

In addition to providing food and shelter to birds and animals, a healthy ecosystem provides many services to society. For instance, a healthy forest ecosystem can prevent soil erosion, reduce flooding, detoxify chemicals in air and water, improve the local climate, and store carbon that would otherwise contribute to global climate change.

Preservation and Vegetation Management Ordinance

The City of Shoreview has a vegetation management ordinance that seeks to preserve landmark trees and protect vegetation in sensitive areas such as wetlands and shorelines. This ordinance:

To review information on vegetation management and replacement trees, see Section 209.050 within Shoreview's Municipal Code.

Rain Garden

A rain garden is a shallow, constructed depression that is planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. It is located to receive runoff from hard surfaces such as a roof via a downspout, a sidewalk and driveway. Rain gardens slow down the rush of water from these hard surfaces, holds the water for a short period of time and allows it to naturally infiltrate into the ground.

Rain gardens are a beautiful and colorful way for homeowners, businesses and municipalities to help ease storm water problems. There is a growing trend by municipalities and homeowners to incorporate natural processes to help relieve flooding and pollution.

When you make a garden a "rain garden" you can improve local water quality while creating a beautiful natural area that will attract birds and butterflies. Rain gardens allow rain and snowmelt to seep naturally into the ground. This helps recharge our groundwater supply, and prevents a water quality problem called polluted runoff. Rain gardens are an important way to make our cities more attractive places to live while building urban ecological health.

What makes a garden a rain garden?

All it takes is a few simple steps in the following three areas:

  1. Landscaping: Rain gardens are designed with a dip at the center to collect rain and snow melt. Any degree of indentation is useful, from slight dips made with your garden trowel to large swales created by professional landscapers. Neatly trimmed shrubs, a crisp edge of lawn, stone retaining walls and other devices can be used to keep garden edges neat and visually appealing.

  2. Location: Strategic placement next to hard surfaces such as alleys, sidewalks, driveways and under gutters makes your rain garden effective.

  3. Plant choices: Hardy native species that thrive in our ecosystem without chemical fertilizers and pesticides are the best choices. Many rain gardens feature shrubs as well as wild flowers and grasses. As a rule, the less "turf" on lawns, the better it is from a water quality stand point -- turf-style lawns create a harder surface which does not absorb water as readily as garden areas. Also, turf-style lawns often require chemical treatments and extra water to look uniform. Yards that feature native plants, grasses and shrubs are much easier to maintain.

Pesticides

Minnesota State Law (18B.01 subd. 18) defines a pesticide as: "A substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate a pest, and a substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant."

In other words, this term broadly includes herbicides for weeds, insecticides for insects, fungicides for fungi and molds, rodenticides for rodents and many other materials used to manage pests. Recent research has found that exposure to pesticides and their improper use can have a harmful effect on human health (especially children), wildlife, wildlife habitat, water quality and surface water ecosystems. The City of Shoreview has adopted a policy regarding pesticide use to minimize the risk to human health, wildlife and the natural environment.

What are the risks to human health?

Risks associated with pesticides are tied to toxicity and exposure. Toxicity relates to the chemical make-up of the pesticide while exposure relates to the dose and route of entry (eyes, skin, mouth, lungs). Pesticides with a moderate level of toxicity but have a low exposure level may be safer to use in certain situations. All pesticides carry signal words to indicate the level of toxicity based on the most toxic route of entry into the body. These levels include: Danger and Danger/Poison, Warning and Caution.

Recent research has found that exposure to pesticides may have a negative effect on human health. Children are especially at risk. Documented effects include:

What is the link between pesticide use, wildlife, water quality and our natural resources?

Wildlife most at risk includes amphibians, songbirds, waterfowl, eagles and other birds of prey since they rely on insects, worms and aquatic species for food. Chemical pesticides may leach into the groundwater and stormwater runoff through overuse and misuse. The introduction of these chemicals into the surface water ecosystems has a negative impact by degrading water quality. The greatest risk of toxicity appears to lie within two insecticides commonly found in urban stormwater: diazinon and chlorpyrifos. The use of diazinon is banned on golf courses and in some states but is still available in Minnesota for use on residential turf. Research completed in California also found that residential runoff may be much more toxic than previously thought.

Shoreview's Policy on Pesticide Use

Shoreview has an adopted ordinance requiring all commercial and noncommercial applicators to post or affix warning signs on the property to which pesticides have been applied. For those public properties owned, managed and maintained by the City, pesticides will be used in accordance with the following practices:

  1. Pesticides will be used only when needed. Mechanical and biological controls will be used as the first line of defense. If these methods do not resolve the problem, then pesticides may be used as a last resort.

  2. Application: Applicators will be properly certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Application will be via spot treatment. The use of blanket spray treatments will be minimized to the extent feasible. Spray drift will be avoided. Pesticides will be applied in accordance with the product label directions and precautions.

  3. Product Selection and Use: Assess the product effectiveness. Use those products that address the problem at hand and have minimal impact on non-targeted species. Minimize pest resistance by rotating pesticides uses, using premixes or tank mixes and avoiding repeating use. Consider the toxicology risk associated with pesticide exposure. Evaluate pesticide and site characteristics affecting the off-site movement of chemicals. Employ best management practices including: Calibration of equipment, time application in relation to soil conditions, weather conditions, irrigation schedules, and stage in plant growth. Use the lowest appropriate rate. Minimize the need for pesticide use by identifying the underlying cause and/or transition problem areas to another vegetation form, rather than turf.

  4. Posting: Post warning signs in accordance with our City Ordinance for at least a 48-hour period from the time of initial application. Information on the sign will include: The name of the business or entity applying the pesticide. The following language: 'This area chemically treated. Keep children and pets off until (date of safe entry)' or a universally accepted symbol and text approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture as recognized as having the same meaning or intent. The warning signs may include the name of the pesticide used. Place immediately adjacent to areas where pesticides have been applied or at/near the entrances to the property. *sources: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Office of Environmental Assistance, Pollution Control Agency, Watershed Protection Techniques from www.stormwatercenter.net

Storm Water

What is storm water?

Storm water is the water that flows across the ground and pavement when it rains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into City storm sewers. These are the drains you see at street corners or at low points on the sides of your streets. Collectively, the draining water is called storm water runoff.

Where does the storm water go?

Storm water that does not seep into the ground drains into the City's system of underground pipes and is released into wetlands, ponds and lakes.

Why can storm water runoff be a problem?

Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system then directly to wetlands, ponds and lakes. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the waterbodies we rely on for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.

Water

The City of Shoreview's goal is to provide high quality, safe, reliable drinking water that surpasses every state and federal requirement. Shoreview is fortunate to have a very clean and safe water source: the Jordan aquifer. An aquifer is an underground lake imbedded in rock, in this case a sandstone rock layer. Our wells are about 400-500 feet deep and we blast a cavity, like a large cave, in the rock at the bottom of the well. We then draw our drinking water from the water that seeps through the rock to this cavity. The Jordan water has spent many decades flowing through the rock layers to reach our wells. During that long period, organisms that might have caused diseases have died and been filtered out by the rock layers.

During this flow through the rock, the water dissolves some of the minerals imbedded there. The only major impact we see in our water is from the limestone, where we pick up calcium. The calcium from the limestone is the major contributor to the hardness in Shoreview's water. Hardness is the measure of dissolved minerals that are in the water. We average 15 grains of hardness throughout the city, and this is considered moderately hard.

Though we have very good source water, we do take additional steps to comply with the Minnesota Department of Health rules. We add fluoride to the water to allow bodies to build stronger bones and teeth. We also add chlorine to the water. Chlorine is a very strong disinfectant and assures that no harmful bacteria or organisms can grow in the system. We have very precise equipment to add these items and we also test the water daily to assure we have the right amounts of chlorine and fluoride throughout the water system.

Shoreview has six wells in operation. During the winter months, one well produces about 1.5 million gallons of water per day. During peak demand periods, mainly summer months, it may be necessary to run all six wells to meet water requirements. When necessary, the wells can produce up to 11 million gallons a day. The water utility is not funded through taxes. Operating costs are covered by billing for metered water use. We charge less than a dollar to pump, store, treat and deliver each 1,000 gallons of tested and certified safe drinking water to your house.

Water Softening

The City of Shoreview averages the water hardness across the city, and resulting level of hardness is 17 grains. This is relatively hard. Use this number when setting your water softener. While using a water softener is not required, many individuals choose to have private water softeners installed.

Water and Sewer Emergencies

If you have a problem with your sewer line or if you notice a large volume of water running down the street which could be a water main break, call the Utilities Division at 651.490.4661 or Public Works at 651.490.4650 between the hours of 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

After hours, emergencies can be reported by calling the Ramsey County Sheriff's office at 651.484.3366. The Sheriff's Department will contact the Public Works Department to assess the problem.

Utility Billing

Shoreview residents and businesses are billed once each quarter for water and sewer service. One third of the community is billed each month. The Utility Clerk handles the billing and collection process, customer concerns, as well as other responsibilities for the City.

Contact

For more information, contact environmentalservices@shoreviewmn.gov or call 651.490.4665

Contents:

  1. Trees
  2. Trails
  3. Vegetation
  4. Buckthorn Bust
  5. Rain Garden
  6. Pesticides
  7. Storm Water
  8. Water
  9. Contact Information