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05-28-24 CC Reg Mtg Agenda PacketFrom: Swami Palanisami <swami.engineer@palanisami.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 S:00 PM To: Marie Darling Subject: RE: Ailerus bank waterford center Good Afternoon, Marie. Two concerns as adjoining mall owner. 1. Planning commission has already approved less parking stalls than existing. More space is added to the building. The future customers and staff may end up parking in the malt lot. 2. The New owner "Boat exhibit and sale" had sent a request to the mall owner that they would like to not to participate in the common driveway maintenance expense. This may not be the responsibility of The city. It is in the PUD documentt. Swakml Pa/aviisaml, FE. dPALANISAMI az ASSOCIATES, INC. I SINCE 1986 5661 International Parkway ® Minneapolis, MN 55428 P: 763.533.9403 a D: 763.504.5262 P C: 612.865.8621 swami.engineer(a)palanisami.com w www.palanisami.com From: Marie Darling <MDarling@ci.shorewood.mn.us> Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 2:10 PM To: Swami Palanisami <swami.engineer@palanisami.com> Subject: RE: Allerus bank waterford center The site currently has 86 parking spaces and they are required to have 79 based on the size of the building. With the changes to the site, they are proposing to provide 43 parking stalls, not counting the boat display spaces. They have provided documentation that they only need about 27 spaces, so they are requesting PUD approval to provide 43 spaces. I am generally supporting of this as long as: 1. Any boats being serviced on the property must be stored in the display spaces on the south side of the site. No vehicles waiting for service may be stored on the site longer than 48 hours. 2. Any parking shortages must be accommodated by reducing the number of display spaces. Hope that information is helpfut. The packet is available and you can read it at your convenience for more detail on the development. Link: Agenda 05L07/2024�shQrawoodmn.90Y) Let me know if you have any other questions or would like to submit written comments. City of MARIE DARLING n Planning Director Vod City Hall: 952.960.7900 5755 Country Club Road Direct: 952.960.7912 Mari,e Dar in & E From: Jennifer Labadie Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 2:21 PM To: Marc Nevinski; Marie Darling Subject: Fwd: PUD Amendment for Marine Sales & Display 19765 State Hwy 7 Sent from my i Phone Begin forwarded message: From: Joe <pakrfan@gmaii.com> Date: May 28, 2024 at 2:19:40 PM CDT To: Jennifer Labadie <JLabadie@ci.shorewood.mn.us> Cc: ICE Joe <pakrfan@gmail.com> Subject: PUD Amendment for Marine Sales & Display 19765 State Hwy 7 Joseph J. Huber 19762 Waterford Ct. Shorewood, MN 55331 952-452-0105 Dear Mayor Labadie, First of all, thankyou so much for dedicating your time to help make Shorewood a great place to Live. I am writing regardingthe proposed PUD Amendment for Marine Sales & Display at 19765 State Hwy 7. We reside within the 750 foot radius of the boundaries of this property. I am writing to express support for the original Findings/Recommendation of Marie Darting, Shorewood Planning Director presented to the Shorewood Planning Commission on May 7, 2024. Thank you and Best Regards, Joe Huber SERVING THE COMMUNIZES M: MINN ONKA C?IANHAsseA. 1 ph?T'79 to 1': L�crlslnu S1 toarxuon R,tit.'.a IN 1 u ?cneir. 1�5 x�(rt.aV1� Marie Darling Planning Director City of Shorewood 5755 Country Club Road Shorewood MN 55331 May 23, 2024 61� Minnetonka Public Schools 5621 County Road 101 Minnetonka, h1N 55345 (952)401-5000 (452) 401 5032 fax MAY 2.� 2024 CITY OF O•# Re: Minnetonka ISD 276 Comments On MN Inboard Proposed Changes To Alerus Bank Building and Site Minnetonka Independent School District 276 has the following conditions regarding the proposed changes to the Alerus Bank Building and Site by MN Inboard: 1. We do not want a new driveway connection to be constructed between the front driveways 2. We want all of our curbing to remain intact on the southwest corner of the parcel 3. All current access to parking lots on the sites that the District is entitled to according to the covenants of the parcels remain in place Paul Bourgeois, CPA School Board Deputy _ Minnetonka Independent School District 276 7.4 RECEIVED To: Shorewood Council Members CITY OF SHOREWOOD I became aware last Wednesday afternoon of the City staff is proposing, to have an after the work was done. for the City of Shorewood accepting a parcel allowance of Arbor Vidis and fence left into the Howards Pt Rd (HPR) Right of Way. My concern is the safety of our Shorewood residence that use the HPR for walking with their children and dogs, let alone those who drive up onto the point. There are two issues, 15t is there an Ordinances as to type of what can be planted in the HPR Right of Way. What is being proposed is accepting the current Arbor Vidis 5' tall, that the ordinance upon approval would not have allowed, because there ias a three-foot maximum height restriction. As we all know trees including Arbor Vidis not only grow upwards, they also grow outwards, that will reduce the site line even greater as the years past. What I find insulting is because a city staff member did not understand what he needed to review as to the requirement for the personal property improvements, must be with in his property. What are the reasons for letting one property owner to violate existing ordinances, of no planting un the ROW with trees height in excess 3', that was not approved before the work was done. • Is the city going to rewrite the ROW ordinance immediately? Or is the issue 5300 Howards Pt Rd going to be handled differently than other ordinances violated by other residence in Shorewood? • Why did the city staff try to cover up the error of reviewing the trees and the fence installed.as to not being in compliance. It would have gone unnoticed had it not been for myself. Making three separate attempts to share with the city staff as to the mistake. The 3rd attempt I had the assistance of Turbine Guy making a short private you video, showing how much was in the right away, when the staff did finally recognize of the flagrant violations. Flagrant because of the 70' of site line loss from the West side edge of HPR blacktop surface. • Why does the city staff feel that the Shorewood residence and its family members be restricted level of vision and safety when traveling this section of HPR. For what? To save the land owners cost to bring all the trees and fence into compliance. With the current city staff assembling an agreement, gives the property owner trees and fence on the HPR ROW in question, leniency, with requesting the council to approve the illegal change done with in the City if Shorewood Howards Pt Rd Right of Way. Does this set a precedent for future residence that choose to not follow ordinances? • With the city staff producing an agreement, hoping to get city council acceptance? Is this a hard ship as to the property owner, where the fence and this type of Arbor Vidis most likely not have been improved? If it was to be approved, would it have been approved with the Arbor Vidis Evergreen trees current height of 5', that can grow in excess of 16' in height, with width of the Arbor Vidis far greater than what the width is at the time these trees were planted in 2023. If some reason the city does approve the agreement, How are these trees that grow upwards yearly be pruned to the 3' max. height by whom on going, every year from here out? • If the fence and trees does not apply with current statue, why isn't the after the fact variance be required, so residence could share their points of view with council as to how this loss of site view of HPR, affects them more than the property owner, who had the trees and fence installed illegally? At this time, I have reached out 7 residence, not including myself on the Howards Pt, North of the subject property. That are most effected, from the illegal placement of the trees and fence placement in the ROW, it's my opinion based on what I shared as to the issue, all 7 do plan to send letters to Mark, since there is no opportunity to share their concerns at the upcoming Tuesday council meeting. This issue is dear to me since I take my dog for a walk across this area daily, if not twice a day when possible. It is difficult for myself to not be as observant as to this loss of safety, because of this reduction of site line from vehicles primarily traveling South om HPR. This issue would not be addressed had myself not brought to the city the illegal work done in November. Its disappointing that the city did not feel any concern as to what work was done being in compliance. While inspections are done for new home construction, it is disappointing that there is no review as to landscaping work done, that affects many individuals on a day-to-day basis. What adds to the issue is a family residing North of the subject area has traveled in excess of 40 MPH in their vehicle over this subject area, which in return magnifies the safety issue, by reducing time to stay clear of the blacktop road for myself and my dog's protection. Let alone others that walk their dogs and children over this area. I have been involved with issues of site line as to safety purpose with other roadway projects, that I am suggesting the city of Shorewood hire a traffic engineer, to review his report of the site, if he states the trees have no impact to site line for traffic and pedestrians safety, that there is no visual site loss for this inverted section of HPR ROW, where placement of Arbor Vidis are with -in I will pay for the report. If the engineer report does feel there is hindrance of site view with in the ROW. That the city will require all trees planted illegally in this area be replaced with in the subject property. With that said the engineer cost would be the responsibility of the city and the property owner that has caused this issue. Other options are to have this portion of NPR redone as to widening the black top width, to be of 21' wide as what appears to be more in line with the Howards Pt. Road width. Presently this area is 18' 6" of black top width. Add a permanent minor speed bump with in the area of visual site line, as well as the road portion being of 18' width expanded to.212' width. I appreciate the time in reviewing my letter and what maybe as many as 7 other Howards Pt property residence North of the subject area, being affected by the proposed action. With there concerns stating to myself, they will send letters to the city before noon on Tuesday. Because of what I have shared with each of them last Thursday and Saturday. I hope in the future that public safety becomes a priority from city staff over a property owner abutting ROW. That chooses to not follow the city statue as to putting trees on the ROW, as well as the type of the trees be of a ground version of Arbor Vidis a ground clutter with 36" maximum height. That Gary and Ilene Jarrett the neighbor directly address from the Grevelus property area in question. It is ny opinion that the dwarf Arbor Vidis are with -in HPR ROW are no taller than the 46: maximum as the city requires, As for myself being a residence of Shorewood for 70 years, I truly love the Shorewood community, I hope that our council not only turns down the city staff's proposed acceptance letter as it is written,. Requesting further review of this issue, before subjecting us residence for one family desire image for their property. I suggest Shorewood should notify the 2 companies Otten Brothers as to the trees illegal placed with -in the city ROW and Dakota Fence Co for illegal placement of the fence in the city ROW. Notify them as to a warning, if they choose to do illegal placement of trees and fence with -in the City of Shorewood Right of Way in the future. Will not be permitted to work with -in the city, for what the city feels as to time frame the company can respect the cities ROW, There should be some form of penalty, not allowed them to offer their services to the city if Shorewood residence outside what is illegally allowed, Respectfully Jeff Fox 5270 Howards Pt Rd Marie Darlina � i From: Jennifer Labadie Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:31 AM To: Marc Nevinski; Marie Darling Subject: Fwd: Jeff Fox information as to 5300 Howards Pt Rd Trees and Fence infringement Attachments: image.png; Letter Regarding illegal placement of trees and fence in the ROW.docx Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: "jeff emailtogo.net" <jeff@emailtogo.net> Date: May 27, 2024 at 7:40:16 PM CDT To: Jennifer Labadie <JLabadie@ci.shorewood.mn.us>, Guy Sanschagrin <gsanschagrin@ci.shorewood.mn.us>, Dustin Maddy <DMaddy@ci.shorewood.mn.us>, Paula Callies <pcallies@ci.shorewood.mn.us>, Scott Zerby <szerby@ci.shorewood.mn.us> Subject: Jeff Fox information as to 5300 Howards Pt Rd Trees and Fence infringement ttps:!/yout ._b_e_/7 TdJ4v8 _kc Produced last December 2023, it clearly shows the You Tube video of the 5 + Arbor Vidis NORTH of 5300 black top driveway in the Right of Way This picture was taken on May 27th, with the 2- Galy. tubes from last fall survey markings, again it clearly shows the 5+ Arbor Vidis NORTH of 5300 black top driveway in the Right of Way Above is a you tube video of displaying the amount of Arbor Vidis and Fence in the Howards Pt Road Right of Way regarding 5300 HPR. The 3-page letter is what I am submitting from myself. Questions derived from letter regarding the illegal placement of the Arbor Vidis and Fence. #1. The only survey identifying markings for 5300 and 5290 are the survey stakes and painted marking on the road itself, done late last fall survey. If their surveyor was an on -site in January, as Marc Nevinski stated to me at our meeting last Friday, why wasn't the survey markings not updated, especially the painted pink marking that happens to be on Howards Pt Rd. blacktop? #2. With the errors made by Dakota Fence Co. and Otten Brothers of illegal placement of Trees and Fence, should it not be marked as to property line it needs to be with in? #3. With our You Tube video attached, as well as the picture shown above, would it not be beneficial to have the surveyor to come out, install corner markers and paint new HPR markings for 5300 Howards Pt Rd, with all trees abutting Howards Pt Rd on the actual survey? Thats if the city wants to verify of what number of Trees and footage of Fence that is currently with in the cities right of way? Thank You for your time Jeff Fox 5270 Howards Pt Rd Re: Variance Consideration of Arborvitae and Fence Placement, 5300 Howards Point Road, Shorewood It's my understanding that the council is considering granting a variance to the hedge and fence installed in late 2023 at 5300 Howards Point Road. Due to the placement, height and width of the hedge, for the following reasons, I feel it is unsafe and the variance should not be granted. Howards Point Road narrows north of the intersection at Edgewood Road — in addition to homeowners' vehicle traffic and their visitors, there is regular traffic of landscapers, multiple construction vehicles, several different waste hauling companies, drivers unfamiliar with the road who are just driving to see where it goes as well as bicyclists, skateboarders, groups of people out for a stroll, people walking their dogs and most importantly, people with strollers or walking with young children. There is no sidewalk for pedestrians, the road is the only choice. Notably, the section of Howards Point Road in question is not flat, it rises and curves as you approach the property in question therefore further restricting the sight line. In addition to regular vehicle and pedestrian traffic, its not unusual for service vehicles (landscapers, home repair companies, etc.) to be parked along either side of the road. Drive this section of the road, imagine a parked service vehicle(s), a garbage truck and a car (not to mention a skateboarder, bicycler or pedestrians) traveling in opposite directions and all meeting at the rising, curved section of the road. Add the arborvitae which are already taller than allowed as well as placed too close to the road and the situation becomes a recipe for disaster. I would ask the council members to consider not only the possible personal and vehicle risks involved but also the liability created for the city if the variance passes and knowingly ignores the concerns that have been raised. This is a situation that can be remedied by removing or relocating the hedge and I think that safety outweighs any other concerns. Sincerely, Richard Meehan 5265 Howard's Point Road Shorewood, MN Rmeehan1951mail.com 612-741-8763 DarlingMarie ! From: Jennifer Labadie Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:31 AM To: Marc Nevinski; Marie Darling Subject: Fwd: 5300 Howards Point Road Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Nancy Zander <nancyzander@hotmail.com> Date: May 27, 2024 at 10:32:54 PM CDT To: Jennifer Labadie <JLabadie@ci.shorewood.mn.us> Subject: 5300 Howards Point Road Hi Jennifer, I've been in touch with Jeff Fox about the Right of Way issue at 5300 Howards Point Road. Live at 5215 Howards Point Road, north of the property of concern. I agree that it is a safety issue having 5-6 foot tall arborvitaes in the right of way. The fence and arborvitae make it quite difficult for a car to see a pedestrian in the road coming around the curve, and for pedestrians to seethe car coming. In the video made by Jeff and the Turbine Guy, you can see that the arborvitae Jeff is standing next to is taller than Jeff already. The bushes are only going to get taller and wider. If the city ordinance states that the bushes should be no taller than 3 feet high, and not in the right of way, then I feel it should be enforced. The rule was put into place for a reason. This is a particularly nasty spot for a violation of this, given the hilt and curve at that location. Please keep our neighbors safe and have the property owner fix this issue. Nancy and Paul Zander Sent from my iPhone and Nevinski 740 From: Jennifer Labadie Sent Tuesday, May 28, 2024 1:10 PM To: Marc Nevinski Subject Fwd: 5300 Howards Point Rd From: Tara Wander <tarawander@gmail.com> Date: May 28,2024 at 12:56:24 PM CDT - a • - ELM no Ini T.Sis - is • what the City rules and regulations are for setbacks and easements in this situation, but I request the rules be followed correctly on this matter to appease all parties Involved. I believe any existing home improvements should be held equally responsible as a new construction Thank you for your time, 93ME90 M. crowd out or restrict light to more desirable plants, or use limited nutrients from the soil. They can harbor and spread plant pathogens that infect and degrade the quality of crop or horticultural plants. Some weeds are a nuisance because they have thorns or prickles, some have chemicals cause skin irritation# poison ivy) or - hazardous if eaten, or have parts that come off and attach to fur or clothes. Appendix B: No Pesticide Zones Due to the nature of their use and/or their users, some parkland areas have been designated "No Pesticide" zones. The following setbacks for pesticide applications will apply to all MPRB parklands*: o Playgrounds and Exercise Stations: No pesticides will be applied within 25 feet of playgrounds. o Dog Parks: No pesticides will be applied within 25 feet of the outside perimeter of the Dog Park. o Picnic Areas: No pesticides will be applied within 25 feet of picnic facilities. o Community Gardens: No pesticides will be applied inside the gardens or within 25 feet of the outside perimeter of Community Garden sites. o Outdoor Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Water Parks: No landscape pesticides will be applied within 100 feet of these types of water features during the season when it is open to the public. Exceptions may be made for applications to control invasive species in natural areas within the 100-foot buffer at Webber Pool. Necessary applications shall be made with low -drift methods during off-peak pool use hours. o Stormwater Catch Basins and Inlets: No pesticides will be applied within 5 feet of any catch basin or inlet that leads to the piped Stormwater system. *Staff may authorize the application of a pesticide in a No Pesticide Zone when there is a threat to public health or safety (e.g., a population of aggressive stinging insects, mosquitoes, poison oak, etc.), a presence of a noxious weed that requires control, or in cases where a pest poses a substantial risk to the intended function of the park or an asset, after reasonable non -pesticide approaches have been considered. Appendix l MinneapolisPark and Recreation Board Online Resourcea The MPRB Board of Commissioners have adopted various resolutions supporting the advancement and utilization of best practices for an IPM. These include but are not limited to: Sustainable Parks 4 Sustainability. Additional online resources available on the MPRB website: o Pest Management MINNEAPOLIS PARK & RECREATION BOARD 73 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY AND OPERATIONS MANUAL MEW Description: MPRB has playgrounds throughout the park system located in both neighborhood and regional parks. Playgrounds are unique to each site with their own design, play features, and landscaping. Playgrounds include both traditional built play structures and designated nature play areas. Goal: To protect the safety of playground users and promote a positive play experience. The primary reasons for vegetation management within the soft fall surface areas of playgrounds are to preserve the surface's overall safety characteristics, to comply with ADA and National Playground Safety standards, to eliminate trip hazards, and to preserve the integrity of the fall surface. Integrated landscaping is becoming more popular in MPRB playground design. Playground adjacent plantings provide multiple functions including but not limited to enhanced aesthetics, screening, and environmental education opportunities. Threshold: The MPRB has set a threshold of 100% for vegetative weeds in < and immediately surrounding park playgrounds with an exception for plants that may impact the safety and access. This includes plants that may inflict pain or discomfort if contacts by park users such as thorny shrubs, stinging nettle, or burdock. No noxious weeds will be allowed to persist on any playground fall surface or in adjacent landscape plantings. Non -vegetative pests such as insects or diseases will be assessed on a case -by -case basis considering impacts to the health of safety of playground users. Special considerations will be made for aggressive stinging insects like wasps and hornets. (See "Aggressive Stinging Insects" section for additional information.) Action: Playgrounds are established "No Pesticides Zones For this reason, no registered pesticide products will be used within or immediately adjacent to a playground as a part of routine maintenance or vegetation management. Controls will be focused on cultural and mechanical practices such as hand pulling, cutting, or mowing. See Appendix B for additional information on No Pesticide Zones. Exemptions will be made for aggressive stinging insects and noxious weeds as defined by Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law. Aggressive stinging insecticides may be require chemical controls to ensure the safety of playground users. Noxious weeds listed on the State of Minnesota's Noxious Weed List must be controlled as per state statute including pest plants, such as poison ivy. If a noxious weed cannot be controlled with mechanical control efforts, a chemical control may be deemed necessary to comply with state law. In the rare case that plant protectants are applied, the treated area will have access restricted, and signage posted to notify park users. INNEAPOLIS PARK & RECREATION BOARD 39 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY AND OPERATIONS MANUAL : MPRB hosts a wide variety of athletic fields with field types suitable for multiple sports including but not limited to soccer, baseball, softball, rugby, football, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee. Community athletic fields are typically multi -use fields that are not permitted. They are maintained with significant lower inputs than MPRB premier and semi -premiere athletic facilities and are typically designed without the infrastructure to support elevated maintenance practices. Goal: The MPRB aims to maintain its athletic fields in a manner that provides park users with a safe and stable site for athletic activities. While maintaining the recreational value of community athletic fields, the MPRB strives to be environmentally concise in their practices. Vegetation management is performed for a variety of reasons, focused on preserving the surface's overall integrity, maintaining ADA compliance, and eliminating potential tripping hazards. The intensity of use of these fields combined with a lack of turf recovery time affects the quality of turf. Currently, due to compaction from overuse, many of our general park athletic fields have well established populations of non -desired groundcovers including dandelions, knotweed, plantain, and other weeds. Description: MPRB staff actively manages baseball and softball outfields throughout the park system. These are the grassy areas beyond the infields. Threshold: The MPRB has set <a threshold of 100% for vegetative weeds and 20% for bare soil on the outfields of community athletic fields. No noxious weeds will be allowed to persist on fields in accordance to the Minnesota t INNEAP LIS PARK& RECREATION BOARD 40 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY AND OPERATIONS MANUAL Action: The care of the outfields on MPRB community fields are focused on cultural controls. This includes aeration, topdressing, overseeding, and fertilization when deemed necessary. Irrigation is also an important cultural practice but a limited resource on many community fields. When thresholds are found to be exceeded despite routine cultural practices in place, additional mechanical, biological, or chemical controls may be considered. All pests will be controlled using the most effective and least toxic methods, available. Pesticide control methods will utilize the least toxic and most effective formulas available. Description: MPRB staff actively manages baseball and softball infields throughout the park system. These are the inner areas of play on ballfields where the bases are located. Threshold: For infield turf, the MPRB has set a threshold of 100% for vegetative weeds and 20% for bare soil. For in -field ag-lime surfaces, there will have an established threshold of 0%. Vegetation actively growing during times of play create unsafe conditions for the users, while also decreasing the playability of the field. No noxious weeds will be allowed to persist on fields in accordance to the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law. Action: Community baseball and softball infields are primary ag-lime surfaces. Maintaining these surfaces includes routine dragging to level and smooth the playing surface. This mechanical input along aims in controlling vegetative weeds by disrupting their ability to root and grow in the ag-lime. Additional non -chemical controls may also be utilized many include string trimmers, weed burners, or hand pulling. If chemical controls are deemed necessary to address noxious weeds, pesticide products will be selected that utilize the least toxic and most effective formulas available. INNEAPOLIS PARK & RECREATION BOARD 41 INTEGRATED PESO MANAGEMENT POLICY AND OPERATIONS MANUAL Dog Parks Description: The MPRB has seven off - leash dog parks: Franklin Terrace, Lake of the Isles, Loring Park, Lyndale Farmstead, Minnehaha, St. Anthony Parkway, and Victory Prairie. These areas are clearly posted as dog off - leash areas, and they are separated from the rest of the park by a perimeter fence. Dog parks surfaces are primarily covered with wood chips or granite chips in addition to turf and plants cover. All dog parks are heavily used throughout the year and providing adequate turf coverage throughout the year is a maintenance challenge. For dog parks adjacent to water bodies, the sites must be managed to reduce onsite erosion and water runoff from the site. Goal: To maintain MPRB dog parks for human and canine park users to enjoy with considerations for safety, accessibility, and public health. Threshold: The MPRB has set a threshold range of 100% for, vegetative pests. Weeds listed on the State of Minnesota's Noxious Weed List must be controlled as per state statute including pest plants, such as poison ivy. Non -vegetative pests such as insects or diseases will be assessed on a case -by -case basis considering impacts to the health of safety of dog park users. Action: When control measures are deemed necessary, mechanical removal will be the primary control method. This could include hand pulling, cutting, or mowing. Pesticide control methods will utilize the least toxic and most effective formulas available when deemed necessary to control identified noxious weeds or address identified health and safety issues. If pesticide applications are deemed necessary within public access areas of the dog park, the park will be required to be closed for a suitable amount of time during and after the application and signed to notify users at all established public entrance points. INNEAPOLIS PARK & RECREATION BOARD 38 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY AND OPERATIONS MANUAL UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION University of Minnesota Extension extension.umn.edu Can common fungi help keep buckthorn in check? fig samusm Common buckthorn (RhamnUs coLharticg) and glossy buckthorn (Fran gpro oln s are both regularly found yJ in Minnesota's forests. Many woodland stewards spend time and resources managing buckthorn by cutting, pulling, forestry mowing, treating with herbicide, or using goats. Effective and lasting buckthorn management usually takes many years and a combination of treatment methods to remove these troublesome shrubs and nurture a forest that is more resistant to future re - infestation. Crown rust on a buckthorn leaf. Photo: Marilynn Miller via Now imagine a future in which introducing one or Naturalist, licensed under CC BY. more species of fungi to a site helps control buckthorn, thus helping keep these aggressive and ecosystem -altering plants in check. Researchers and funders are hoping to make this dream a reality. With funding from the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MlTPPC), two research teams have launched projects to better understand how native fungi commonly found on buckthorn may help keep this invasive plant in check. Pablo Olivera Firpo, a researcher in the University of Minnesota Department of Plant Pathology, and his team are studying Kh_Lic_htyp_Lofcrownrust infects common _ouckthorn and the fungi's impact on buckthorn seedlings. Plant pathology professor Robert Blanchett hopes to identify which fungi are colonizing and killing buckthorn, which fungi can prevent stump resprouting, what effects these fungi have on other vegetation, and how best to ap plylocontrol f ungiin!hgjm221Ls. -t:__ More on these research projects can be found at the IT CC wphc"-. These projects are just getting started but it's exciting to think there could be another tool to enhance forest resilience. Putting samples to the test While cutting and treating buckthorn stumps in his woodland in October of 2023, Extension forester Gary Wyatt noticed many smaller buckthorn trees had died when reaching between 5 to 7 feet tall. Some of the trees that were still green were very easy to pull up, which is not typical. "Previously 1 could only pull up maybe a 1- to 2-foot buckthorn seedling, not trees over 3 feet tall," he said. He also noticed white fungus on some of the tree stems and roots. Gary had heard of the MITPPC research on fungus possibly affecting buckthorn growth, so he contacted UMN plant pathology researcher Ryan Franke who agreed to take a look at them. He pulled up a few of the dead trees and brought them to the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus where Ryan took four tree samples. After a few days, Ryan emailed him to report that he found 12 different Fungibuckthorn fungi on the buckthorn samples. "I thought that was amazing!" Gary said. "This research is important. We need to learn more about the fungi that may be affecting buckthorn and make sure they are not causing a problem with native or desirable trees and plants." If you think you've found crown rust (Puccinia spp.) on buckthorn leaves or fungi on buckthorn stems or roots, please submit your observations: It is always helpful to submit observations using the !Naturalist app, where researchers can also find and use the data. More about buckthorn, fungi and woodland stewardship If you're interested in learning more about the complicated ecosystem interactions of buckthorn and several other invasive pests, check out the video TangLed EcosyAtem. To dive into the fascinating world of fungi, I recommend the book n n e Lifer o Fun i e ur orF , n e ur in s Shgpe urFuurs by Merlin Sheldrake. Buckthorn management is often a first step for overall woodland stewardship. To learn more about how to nurture the woods after initial buckthorn removal work check out the great resources produced by the MITPPC-funded Cover it ! Project. Funding on the November ballot The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) is generated from the Minnesota State Lottery. Minnesota voters allocated these resources in 1988 "for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources." The fund supports many vital natural resource conservation programs, including MITPPC. This November Minnesota voters will decide whether to continue funding the ENRTF. Author: Angela Gupta, Extension forestry educator, iigmpia@mmn.edu @2024 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Please scan the above QR code to visit the live webpage for links. https://extension.0 mn.edu/natu ral-resources- news/can -common -f ungi-help-keep-buckthorn -check U- Home > Research > Research projects > RMIOTUMMM Effects of Puccinia species complex on common buckthorn Postdoctoral associate Jyoti Saini Sharma inspects common buckthorn for crown rust, photo provided by Pablo Oliver a Firpo Project information Research project title.- Effects of Puccini ies complex on Species: Common • (Rhamnus cathartica); crown rust • (Puccinia Series coronata spp.) 3EME12M Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a highly invasive plant that is well -established across Minnesota. It disrupts ecosystems and degrades wild I ife-supporti ng habitats by outcompeting and displacing native vegetation. Buckthorn is difficult and costly to eradicate, requiring long- term commitment from land managers. Several crown rust fungi (Puccinia Series coronata) have been found to infect and negatively affect common buckthorn. Building on their prior research • rusts of glossy buckthorn, this project team will • the specific crown rust fungi that infect common buckthorn in Minnesota, determine the symptoms of disease, and document the host range of the 11111 111�111111 111111111 Ir III Ir ZMEN=-, lim 9 What are the crown rust fungi that infect common buckthorn in 0 . I - 31710=97a * What are the disease symptoms and severity of the pathogen species-, * What is the effect of the pathogen on common buckthorn seedlings? ff*.TC# "I Researchers will be able to generate the first distribution map of the crown rust species complex in Minnesota, which will reveal the relative prevalence 11111111; 1111in 11 111111 111 ;j I fungi is effective in suppressing common buckthorn, it may become,2, valuable tool for land managers. Report crown rust on buckthorn 6 Minnesota, you can submit your observations to the .team. e U researchers hopeful for naturally -occurring end to invasive I INNEM * Scientists think a fungus could conquer invasive buckthorn (Star Tribune, This project began in January 2023 and is in progress for the next 3 years. • Pablo D. Olivera Firpo I principal investigator Shahryar Kianian I researcher Karl Miller I researcher • III o 'g 'r5. ON w 0 04 4� to VNG,naoi vHmvs io Asumno3 VNa 'N39389 AIIW3 30 AS3"nO3 u Cd co bob Q _0 Qj a. 0L3 o o —0 -Q 03 o "41 u . 0 cs 43 0 Cl w g 0