Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA)

You can use the DNR's district and boundary map to enter your address to find out if you are within an MRCCA district. 

The following require an administrative review permit within an MRCCA boundary:

1. Construction of buildings, structures, building additions, decks, or alterations as defined by this section within the primary conservation areas.
2. Construction or replacement of rock riprap, retaining walls, and other erosion control structures within the bluff impact zone and water quality impact zone.
3. Land alterations that involve more than ten cubic yards of material or affects an area greater than 1,000 square feet within the water quality impact zone.
4. Installation and/or alteration of sewage treatment systems within the MRCCA boundary.
5. Vegetation removal and vegetation restoration within the primary conservation areas.
6. Interim or temporary uses within the primary conservation areas.
7. Ramps and private water access and viewing facilities within the primary conservation areas.
8. Stormwater management facilities in the bluff impact zone and water quality impact zone.
9. Water-oriented accessory structures.

The following require a conditional use permit within an MRCCA boundary:

1.  In the river towns and cities district, structures over 48 feet.
2. Wireless communication towers.
3. Nonmetallic mining.
4. Land alterations in excess of 150 cubic yards.

When applying for an MRCCA permit, you need to provide the following: 

1. A complete MRCCA application form,

2. A complete supplemental application (if your project involves intensive vegetation clearing or land alterations),

3. The required fee,

4. A detailed project description, and

5. An aerial photo and/or scaled site plan showing the location and label of the proposed project area.

Primary conservation areas (PCAs) are natural and cultural resources. The most common PCAs are the following: 

1. bluff impact zone

2. shore impact zone

3. floodplains

4. wetlands

5. native plant communities

6. significant vegetative stands

You can use the DNR's primary area conservation mapping application to find out if your property has a PCA. After opening the online mapper, enter your property address in the search box. The online mapper will then zoom in to your property and you will be able to see if there are any PCAs on your property. PCAs are identified in the map legend.  

If one or more PCAs exist on your property, you will need to ensure that any future construction, landscaping, or land alteration activities comply with the PCA protective standards and permit requirements in your local MRCCA zoning regulations. See the MRCCA ordinance for local restrictions or the DNR's page for an overview.

The area hydrologist that covers the City of Champlin is Wes Saunders-Pearce. He can be contacted at 651-259-5822 or at wes.saunders-pearce@state.mn.us. 

Yes, maintenance of your existing lawn, landscaping, and gardens are allowed without a permit. Repair of existing riprap and retaining walls are also allowed without a permit. If you want to rebuild or construct new retaining walls or riprap, then you would need a permit.

DNR approval is required for work at or below the Ordinary High Water Level (OWHL) for construction or replacement of riprap, retaining walls, and other erosion control structures before the city can issue the permit.

A water-oriented accessory structure is a small building or other improvement, except stairways, fences, docks, and retaining walls, that, because of the relationship of its use to public waters, needs to be located closer to public waters than the normal structure setback. Examples include gazebos, screen houses, fish houses, pump houses, and detached decks and patios. 

The regulations on water-oriented accessory structures are the following: 

One water-oriented accessory structure is allowed for each riparian lot or parcel less than 300 feet in width at the ordinary high water level, with one additional water-oriented accessory structure allowed for each additional 300 feet of shoreline on the same lot or parcel. Water-oriented accessory structures must:

1. Not exceed 12 feet in height;

2. Not exceed 120 square feet in area; 

3. Be placed a minimum of ten feet from the ordinary high water level; and

4. Not be placed within the bluff impact zone.