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1. There is a small metal tag attached to some trees in my yard. What does that mean?

During development, all trees greater than 6 inches in diameter are tagged and surveyed. They are protected for you by Environmental Resources staff throughout the development process. Before removing any tags, contact building inspections at 952-985-4440 to determine if a final inspection has been completed for your lot.

2. I passed a development and saw some silt fence down near a wetland. Who should I contact to get it fixed?

Call us at 952-985-4528 and we will contact the appropriate people to try and get the issue resolved in a timely manner.

3. What is buckthorn and how can I manage it?

Buckthorn is an exotic tree/shrub that spreads rapidly by seed and out-competes native trees. If buckthorn isn’t controlled, only mature native trees survive, leaving no young trees to grow for future woodlands. Read more about buckthorn and how to control it in this brochure.

4. We have a pond/stormwater basin in our backyard. We would like to have a dock and a canoe so my kids can fish. Is that possible?

Ponds/stormwater basins are man made features within a development that are designed to treat stormwater before it enters groundwater, lakes, or streams, not for boating or fishing. These basins are located within drainage and utility easements that prohibit permanent structures to be placed in the easement, which would include all docks.

5. Does the City treat my pond for mosquitoes?

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District treats mosquito breeding waters throughout the seven county metropolitan area. To determine if your pond is treated for mosquitoes, contact the MMCD at 651-645-9149, or visit the MMOD website.

6. Why is my pond green?

As rainwater flows over lawns and hard surfaces it picks up nutrients and pollutants that are then captured in stormwater ponds to protect our lakes and streams. Due to the purpose of ponds, it is not surprising for ponds to turn green over time. 

There are three main types of organisms that can make a pond look green. To determine what might be happening in your pond, review the information below:

1. Is the water green throughout the entire water column? You can tell if this is the case by putting your hand below the water surface and your hand looks green when held several inches deep. This type of green typically does not sit on water surfaces until the hottest days of summer and is very bright green and thicker at shoreline. This type of green is often caused by a blue-green algae.
   
2. If you have a green mat on top of the water that tends to move frequently with winds and rain, then you probably have a healthy population of duckweed. Duckweed is a plant that is a food source for water fowl and actually helps with the water quality of the pond by removing nutrients. There is little you can do to remove the duckweed and it is unadvisable since this plant provides food and habitat for several different species.
   
3. Do you have clumps of hair-looking green floating on your pond? If so, it is likely filamentous algae. It will float on the surface, or even cling to plants.
   

The best thing you can do to prevent a green pond due to any of the above organisms is to reduce the amount of nutrients in the water body by practicing environmentally safe lawn care practices. By you and your neighbors sweeping up grass clippings and fertilizers from paved surfaces and making sure erosion and piling of vegetation near the pond isn’t occurring, you will help to eliminate the main food source for these organisms and reduce the pond’s green appearance. For further information about what you might be able to do to help your pond or wetland, download the brochures below.

• Lawn Care: How it Affects Water Quality (PDF)
• A Few Things You Can Do to Improve Water Quality in Lakeville (PDF)

7. How many trees do I have to plant on my lot with a newly built home?

City of Lakeville Ordinance requires the lot purchaser to plant at least two trees on every lot in the plat unless the lot already has two existing trees. One of these trees must be planted in the front yard. For more information, download this handout (PDF).

8. What should I do if I see pollution going into the storm drain or in my pond?

Call the Environmental Resources Department at 952-985-4528.

9. What can I do to improve the water quality in Lakeville?

Water quality of Lakeville’s lakes, streams, and wetlands are directly affected by everyone. For ideas on what you can do to help, check out the brochure a few things you can do to improve water quality in Lakeville.

10. I have a group that is interested in volunteering. How do I find out what opportunities are available?

The City of Lakeville provides several opportunities for volunteering. We offer one-time events and ongoing projects. Visit our volunteer page for more information.

11. I have a tree in my backyard that looks sick. Who can I contact to determine if it is diseased and if there is anything I should do?

Visit our Forestry webpage to learn more about how we can help with sick trees.

12. Where can I purchase native plants?

There are several locations throughout the metro area that offers native plants. Visit www.bluethumb.org/stores online to find information about stores that carry native plants. The closest location to Lakeville is Outback Nursery in Hastings. They have a good supply of native trees and shrubs. They also have some native plants in 1 gallon containers, so it is a good place to see some plants in person. For another listing of native plant suppliers as well as places to get materials for your project, download this Native Plant Suppliers PDF.